Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

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.

Fecafoot president Samuel Eto set for CAF's March 12 election after CAS ruling in favour
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o set for CAF’s March 12 election after CAS ruling in favour

Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o can now run for a position on Africa’s soccer governing body after successfully appealing a prior decision that had blocked his candidacy.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland ruled in Eto’o’s favour on Friday. He had appealed to overturn the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to exclude him from the executive committee elections.

Eto’o, 43, is a former striker who played for top clubs like Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea. He has been president of the Cameroon Football Federation since 2021 and has faced controversy during his time in office.

In September, FIFA banned Eto’o from attending national team games for six months due to “offensive behavior and violations of fair play.” The ban was a result of his misconduct involving officials.

Last July, CAF fined Eto’o $200,000 for violating ethics and sportsmanship principles by becoming a brand ambassador for a betting company. Eto’o’s lawyers announced in February that this fine was overturned on appeal.

The 54 member federations will elect their leaders in Cairo next Wednesday. CAF president Patrice Motsepe from South Africa is running unopposed for a second term. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to be present. Eto’o now has the opportunity to compete for a seat on the executive committee thanks to the CAS ruling.

The CAS stated, “The panel found enough information to overturn the CAF’s decision about Mr. Eto’o’s ineligibility.” They added that it will be up to the CAF assembly meeting on March 12, 2025, to evaluate the candidates.

Financial boost for African teams and others in FIFA Club World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Financial boost for African teams and others ahead of FIFA Club World Cup

FIFA has unveiled an impressive prize pool of $1 billion for the upcoming 2025 Men’s Club World Cup, signaling a significant boost for international club football. Although the governing body has not disclosed the specific allocation of the prize money among participating teams, it is widely believed that the financial rewards will heavily favor top European clubs.

Notably, both Chelsea and Manchester City are anticipated to secure a minimum of $55 million each, reflecting their stature in the footballing world and their potential success in the tournament. This substantial financial incentive aims to enhance competition and elevate the prestige of the Club World Cup on a global scale.

The African teams taking part are Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco).

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “The FIFA Club World Cup will be the highlight of club football and will show strong support for clubs in ways no other event has done. All money made from the tournament will go to the clubs involved and through the solidarity program; FIFA will not keep any of it. FIFA’s reserves for developing global football will stay intact.”

The 100-day milestone is an important step toward a tournament that aims to reshape club football globally. The financial support will greatly help the African teams, and other clubs on the continent will also gain from the solidarity program.

The four teams are getting ready for the competition. Ahly, Esperance, and Sundowns will all compete in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals in April. Esperance and Sundowns will face each other again after last season’s semi-final, which Esperance won. Ahly will play Sudanese club Al Hilal for a chance to reach the last four.

Abu Kamara nets as Hull City defeat Mustapha Bundu's Plymouth Argyle
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara nets as Hull City defeat Mustapha Bundu’s Plymouth Argyle

Joe Gelhardt and Abu Kamara scored in the second half, leading the City’s Tigers to a win 2-0 at the MKM Stadium in the English Championship on Tuesday night over Plymouth Argyle.

This victory allowed Hull City to distance themselves from the Championship relegation zone. They are now five points clear, while a struggling Plymouth Argyle is six points away from safety.

Rubén Sellés made four changes to his lineup following Cardiff City’s recent defeat. Abu Kamara, João Pedro, Steven Alzate, and Gustavo Puerta were newly included, while Eliot Matazo, Matt Crooks, Lincoln, and Regan Slater were benched.

The Tigers created several chances early on, including Gelhardt’s free-kick that hit the defensive wall and missed headers from Puerta and McLoughlin. Conor Hazard made key saves to keep Plymouth in the game.

In the 48th minute, Gelhardt broke the deadlock, scoring after a deflected attempt. Coyle then assisted Kamara, whose cross led to Joseph’s initial shot being saved.

City extended their lead after an hour when Puerta set up Kamara for an easy finish into an open net. As the match neared its end, McLoughlin’s shot went over, and Plymouth’s attempts, including a header from Wright and a shot from Ogbeta, failed to find the net.

Mustapha Bundu’s team has not achieved an away victory in 18 Championship matches this season, scoring only six goals – and they never appeared close to breaking that dismal streak after going behind, even against a Hull team that holds the worst home record in the league.

Plymouth head coach Miron Muslic said: “We simply didn’t show up in a game that we knew was a big one for us.

“There are too many players who cannot deliver consistently the performances that we need to be competitive. The reality in the Championship is fighting for every inch on the pitch, and we missed this today completely.

“The second goal, with all due respect, this player (Pedro) is one-and-a-half metres offside. I think at this level we should see this.”

Nigeria's coach Eric Chelle names World Cup Qualifiers squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s coach Eric Chelle names World Cup Qualifying squad

Nigeria’s coach Eric Chelle has revealed his preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers match against Zimbabwe. The Super Eagles are set to play against the Warriors on March 25.

The match will take place at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Nigeria will also face Rwanda four days prior to their game against Zimbabwe.

Among the fresh faces is Genk forward Tolu Arokodare, who has been selected for his inaugural appearance with the Super Eagles, joining the team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.

The 24-year-old has exhibited outstanding performance in the Belgian Jupiler League, netting 16 goals and supplying 5 assists over 28 matches.

Tolu Arokodare has also scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, highlighting his ability to find the back of the net.

Defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams are included for the first time. Home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella may also return if they make the final list of 23 players.

This selection shows recent successes and the potential to improve the Super Eagles’ attack.