Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fecafoot President Samuel Eto'o joins CAF Executive Committee
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fecafoot President Samuel Eto’o joins CAF Executive Committee

Fecafoot President Samuel Eto’o has joined the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after a tumultuous journey that initially saw him barred from running for a seat. However, he successfully overturned that decision.

The former Barcelona striker was the only individual nominated from the Central African Football Federations’ Union (UNIFFAC) and was chosen unanimously. Eto’o will now begin a four-year tenure within CAF’s leadership, further reinforcing his increasing influence in the governance of African football.

Currently serving as the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Eto’o faced a surprising ban from campaigning for the UNIFFAC seat, representing the Central African region. This ban was imposed by CAF due to alleged governance issues within FECAFOOT, leading to a contentious legal battle that reached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Eto’o was determined to contest what he viewed as an unjust ruling and promptly appealed to CAS. In a favorable outcome for him, CAS overturned CAF’s decision and declared him eligible to run for election.

This ruling allowed the four-time African Player of the Year to be reinstated on the ballot, much to the relief of his supporters. With his reinstatement, Eto’o faced no challengers for the UNIFFAC position, ensuring his automatic election to the CAF Executive Committee, which was confirmed at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly held in Cairo.

Eto’o’s victory further solidifies his influence in African football administration and enhances his growing leadership role in the sport. His involvement comes at a crucial time as CAF moves forward with reforms, financial reorganization, and preparations for major competitions such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Eto’o’s extensive experience in football, both as a player and an administrator, is likely to be invaluable as CAF seeks to implement greater standardization across the continent’s game.

Sebastien Haller is back in Côte d'Ivoire national team for World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sebastien Haller is back in Côte d’Ivoire national team for World Cup qualifiers

Sebastien Haller is back in the Côte d’Ivoire national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Gambia after missing three international windows due to injuries.

Playing for Borussia Dortmund on loan at FC Utrecht, Haller will strengthen the team’s attack, as they aim to keep their lead in the qualifying group.

Midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin returns after last playing in March 2023, filling in for the injured Jean Michaël Seri. Ibrahim Sangaré also returns after missing the Africa Cup of Nations and replaces Seko Fofana, who is out due to fitness issues.

Clément Akpa, a left-back from AJ Auxerre, earns his first call-up. Amad Diallo from Manchester United and Wilfried Zaha from Galatasaray are absent; Diallo is injured, and Zaha has not played under coach Emerse Faé.

Maxwel Cornet from Genoa did not get called up, but Oumar Diakité from Reims stays in the squad despite poor club form.

Familiar players like Franck Kessié and Evan Ndicka remain, as the Elephants lead their World Cup qualifying group by one point over Gabon.

Côte d’Ivoire Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

  • Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Koné, Ali Badra
  • Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou, Clément Akpa, Willy Boly, Ousmane Diomandé, Guéla Doué, Evan Ndicka , Hassane Kamara, Wilfried Singo
  • Midfielders: Jean Aholou, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Ibrahim Sangaré, Franck Kessié, Hamed Traoré
  • Forwards: Simon Adingra, Vakoun Bayo, Oumar Diakité, Evann Guessand, Jean Krasso, Nicolas Pépé, Benié Traoré, Sébastien Halle

 

  • Upcoming Fixtures:

Burundi vs Côte d’Ivoire – March 22, 19:00 GMT, Stade de Meknès, Morocco

Côte d’Ivoire vs Gambia – March 26, 19:00 GMT, Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan

Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy and Bangoura named in Guinea 23-man squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy and Bangoura named in Guinea 23-man squad

Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund and young talent Ibrahima Sory Bangoura have been selected for Guinea’s squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Somalia and Uganda. Notably absent are Mohamed Bayo, Ilaix Moriba, and Saidou Sow.

Genk’s Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, a young player from Belgium is expected to make his first appearance for the senior national team in these important matches.

The Syli National team currently ranks third in their qualifying group. They will play Somalia in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on March 21, and then travel to Kampala to face Uganda on March 25.

Guinea needs to win both matches to stay in the race for a World Cup spot, as only the group winners qualify.

Meanwhile, Nantes defender Saidou Sow chose to stay with his pregnant wife, which is why he is not on the team.

Another notable absence is Naby Keita, who has played for Liverpool and Werder Bremen. The team captain is working on getting back to full fitness at Ferencvaros and expects to return in June.

Despite these changes, key players like François Kamano, Abdoulaye Touré, and Serhou Guirassy will play in the important double-header.

The squad also includes experienced defenders Mohamed Ali Camara and Mouctar Diakhaby, who have recovered from injuries.

The midfield features Mady Camara from PAOK Salonique and Morlaye Sylla from FC Arouca, while Serhou Guirassy, who has just moved to Borussia Dortmund, will lead the attack.

A new player in the squad is 21-year-old Bangoura, who has impressed at KRC Genk in Belgium and is now receiving his first senior call-up.

Guinea Squad

Goalkeepers: Moussa Camara (Simba SC, Tanzania), Mory Keita (Hafia FC, Guinea), Soumaïla Sylla (Stade de Reims, France)

Defenders: Mohamed Ali Camara (Young Boys, Switzerland), Antoine Conte (Igdir FK, Turkey), Ibrahima Sory Conté (UTA Arad, Romania), Ibrahim Diakité (Cercle de Bruges, Belgium), Mouctar Diakhaby (Valencia CF, Spain), Dembo Sylla (FC Dender, Belgium), Isiaga Sylla (Montpellier HSC, France), Sekou Oumar Sylla (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands)

Midfielders: Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (KRC Genk, Belgium), Aguibou Camara (PFK Ludogorets, Bulgaria), Mady Camara (PAOK Salonique, Greece), Seydouba Cissé (CD Leganés, Spain), Morlaye Sylla (FC Arouca, Portugal), Abdoulaye Touré (Le Havre AC, France)

Forwards: Aliou Badara Baldé (FC Lausanne-Sport, Switzerland), Algassime Bah (APOEL FC, Cyprus), Yadaly Diaby (Grenoble Foot 38, France), Kandet Diawara (FC Pau, France), François Kamano (Damac FC, Saudi Arabia), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)

Head Coach: Michel Dussuyer

Upcoming Fixtures:

Guinea vs Somalia – March 21, 21:00 GMT, Abidjan

Uganda vs Guinea – March 25, 16:00 GMT, Kampala

Defender Osman Kakay makes Boavista debut in defeat to Vitória Guimarães
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Osman Kakay makes Boavista debut in defeat to Vitória Guimarães

Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay made his Boavista debut in a 2-1 defeat to Vitória Guimarães on Saturday at the Estádio do Bessa.

The former QPR right-back was substituted on in the 57th minute to replace Ilija Vukotic during a thrilling second half, as Vitória SC secured a 2-1 victory against Boavista FC at Estádio do Bessa Sec. XXI in Round 25 of Liga Portugal Betclic.

Van Ginkel converted a penalty just before half-time, giving the black-and-whites the lead. However, an own goal by Vukotic in the 50th minute equalized the score.

Later in the match, another penalty was awarded, this time in favor of the Guimarães team. Tiago Silva successfully converted it in the 76th minute, sealing the victory for Luís Freire’s men.

With this win, Vitória SC now has 38 points and occupies sixth place in the standings, while Boavista FC remains at the bottom with just 15 points.

South Africa stun Egypt in African Nations Championship qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Africa stun Egypt in African Nations Championship qualifier

South Africa has qualified for the next round of the 2025 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers after a 3-1 victory over Egypt in Cairo, giving them a 4-2 aggregate win.

The Bafana Bafana played confidently, with goals from Neo Maema, Yandisa Mfolozi, and Luthuli leading the way. Maema opened the scoring in the 15th minute, and Mfolozi added a second goal in the 26th minute. Egypt scored just before halftime, but Luthuli converted a penalty five minutes into the second half to secure the win.

In another match, Gabon lost to Gambia in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw. Gabon was awarded a penalty but missed the chance, allowing Gambia to win the shootout.

Malawi advanced with a 2-0 home win over Comoros, making it a 4-0 aggregate victory. Wongani Lungu and Binwell Katinji scored for Malawi.

The final round of qualifiers will be in May, with the first leg from May 2-4 and the second leg on May 10-11. The final tournament will be held in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in August.

First Leg Results:

  • Gambia 0-0 Gabon (February 28, 2025)
  • Comoros 0-2 Malawi (March 2, 2025)
  • South Africa 1-1 Egypt (March 2, 2025)

Second Leg Fixtures:

  • Malawi 2-0 Comoros – March 8, 2025 –  Malawi win 4-0 on aggregate
  • Gabon 0-0 Gambia – March 8, 2025 – Gambia win on penalties
  • Egypt 1-3 South Africa – March 9, 2025 – South Africa win 4-2 on aggregate
Blackburn winger Augustus Kargbo doubtful for Sierra Leone qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Blackburn winger Augustus Kargbo doubtful for Sierra Leone qualifiers

Blackburn winger Augustus Kargbo is set to miss crucial matches for Sierra Leone this month against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt due to a hamstring injury he sustained on Saturday.

Head coach Valerien Ismael confirmed the news about Kargbo’s injury but expressed hope that it won’t keep the Sierra Leone international out for an extended period.

The 25-year-old winger started the Sky Bet Championship match against Derby County on Saturday but was forced to leave the game after just 15 minutes. He was replaced by Dion Sanderson.

“We have another injury with AK [Kargbo], a muscle injury, and he’ll be out for a few weeks,” Ismael revealed to RoversTV.

A more detailed examination is required to determine the severity of Kargbo’s injury. Sierra Leone will host Guinea-Bissau in Monrovia, Liberia, on March 20, before traveling to Cairo to face the group leaders, the Pharaohs of Egypt, five days later.

Juma Bah makes first start in Lens win over Marseille
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Juma Bah makes first competitive start in Lens win over Marseille

Sierra Leone and Manchester City defender Juma Bah showcased a dominant performance in his first Ligue 1’s Matchday 25 start for Lens, contributing to their 1-0 victory away at Marseille on Saturday.

A 93rd-minute goal from Moroccan Neil El Aynaoui secured a dramatic victory for Lens at the Stade Vélodrome, which allowed Paris Saint-Germain to extend their lead to 16 points at the top of the standings.

Marseille controlled the game from the start as they aimed to strengthen their hold on second place. However, they were thwarted by a determined Lens side and some exceptional goalkeeping from Mathew Ryan.

The Australian goalkeeper made crucial saves, tipping an Amine Gouiri shot onto the crossbar in the first half and stopping efforts from both Luis Henrique and Neal Maupay late in the match.

Despite having lost their last four matches, Lens turned the game around and scored in the 94th minute, with Deiver Machado assisting Neil El Aynaoui for the decisive goal.

Sierra Leone's Augustine Williams nets debut goal for Pittsburgh Riverhounds
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Augustine Williams nets debut goal for Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Sierra Leone’s Augustine Williams scored on his debut as Pittsburgh Riverhounds started its 2025 season with a 1-1 draw against North Carolina FC at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.

Evan Conway scored first for North Carolina in the 22nd minute, but Augi Williams equalized for the Hounds in the 57th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error. Hounds goalkeeper Eric Dick made one crucial save, as the team dominated possession (63.6 percent) and total shots (10-5).

The Hounds came out strong, earning two early corner kicks that led to headers from Sean Suber. After Conway’s goal, Dick had to make a vital save to deny a potential second goal before halftime.

In the second half, the Hounds locked down defensively, allowing no shots from North Carolina. Williams scored his first goal for the Hounds, finishing decisively after taking advantage of a misplay by goalkeeper Jake McGuire. Captain Danny Griffin almost put the Hounds ahead with a volley, but McGuire made another save.

Despite their efforts, the Hounds couldn’t find a second goal, though many young players made their pro debuts, including Ydrach, Bouregy, and Garcia.

**Modelo Man of the Match**

Augi Williams was named Man of the Match for his key goal and strong overall performance, winning 6 of 10 ground duels. He is now the third player to score on his Hounds debut under Bob Lilley, joining Dane Kelly (2022) and Bertin Jacquesson (2024).

Sierra Leone's Augustus Kargbo injured in Rovers defeat to Derby
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Augustus Kargbo injured in Rovers defeat to Derby

Sierra Leone’s Augustus Kargbo was forced out due to an injury in the opening 16 minutes of the contest. The Rovers were outperformed throughout the field and lost a significant number of battles in the opening 20 minutes.

Head coach Valerien Ismael is hopeful that Augustus Kargbo’s hamstring injury, which he sustained during the loss against Derby County, won’t sideline the Sierra Leone international for an extended period.

“We got another injury with AK [Kargbo], a muscle injury and he’ll be out for a few weeks,” Ismael revealed to RoversTV.

They faced a difficult start in their game against Derby County, losing 2-1. Craig Forsyth and Ebou Adams scored for Derby in the first seven minutes. Makhtar Gueye scored just before halftime, giving Rovers a glimmer of hope.

Although they managed to equalize thanks to Makhtar Gueye, they failed to challenge the goalkeeper sufficiently in the second half and have no grounds for complaint about finishing without any points.

In the second half, both teams struggled to create chances, with Rovers’ goalkeeper, Jacob Zetterstrom, remaining largely untested. Coach Valerien Ismael made two changes, bringing in Sondre Tronstad and Yuki Ohashi.

Forsyth opened the scoring for Derby just four minutes into the match, slipping the ball past Rovers’ keeper, Aynsley Pears. Rovers tried to respond, but Ohashi’s header was saved. Derby doubled their lead three minutes later when Adams scored from close range.

Rovers faced another challenge when Augustus Kargbo left due to injury. They switched to a three-at-the-back formation but struggled to create opportunities. Five minutes before halftime, Gueye scored, hitting the ball into the roof of the net after a low cross from Ohashi.

In the second half, Rovers started better but could not find the equalizer. Ohashi missed a chance early on, and Nat Phillips failed to score from a corner kick.

Jerry Yates missed a close chance late in the game. Despite seven minutes of extra time, Rovers could not find another goal, and Derby secured their first win of 2025.

Rovers will play again on Wednesday night against Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium, starting at 8 pm.

Striker Ibrahim Kargbo pens FC BATE Borisov deal in Belarus
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Ibrahim Kargbo pens  FC BATE Borisov deal in Belarus

Promising 25-year-old Sierra Leone native, Ibrahim Kargbo has recently joined the ranks of the “yellow-blues,” igniting excitement among fans of FC BATE Borisov in Belarusian Premier League.

Kargbo’s journey to Europe began at just eight years old when he moved with his father, Ibrahim Kargbo Sr., a skilled footballer and former captain of the Sierra Leone national team who proudly gained Belgian citizenship.

In Belgium, amid the bustling streets of Antwerp, young Ibrahim honed his skills at the Beerschot academy, where the scent of fresh grass and the thrill of competition filled the air. In 2015, following his father’s move to England, Ibrahim ventured into the English football scene, training at renowned clubs like Reading and Crystal Palace.

In 2018, Kargbo took a significant step in his career by signing his first professional contract with Roeselare, a club competing in the second Belgian division. Just a year later, he transferred to Lierse, a team adorned in historic colours, where he showcased his talent on the field in the third Belgian division.

This period proved pivotal as he earned the opportunity to represent the Belgian junior team, competing in more than a dozen thrilling matches, each one a stepping stone to greater heights.

Kargbo’s career took a dramatic turn at the end of 2019 when he signed a long-term contract with Dynamo Kyiv. However, his initial excitement was tempered by FIFA regulations, which barred him from playing in the first half of 2020 due to his previous contracts with Roeselare and Lierse.

After months of anticipation, he finally made his official debut in June 2020 during the semi-final of the Ukrainian Cup against Minaj. He entered the match as a substitute and celebrated a hard-fought 2-0 victory.

Despite his undeniable talent, Kargbo faced challenges in securing a permanent spot at Dynamo. He sought new opportunities through loan spells with Olimpik in Donetsk, Celje in Slovenia, and Doxa in Cyprus. In early 2023, Kargbo became a free agent and returned to Celje, ready to embrace new challenges and adventures. His journey continues, filled with the promise of exciting futures and uncharted territories in the world of football.