Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone plummet eight places in latest FIFA ranking
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone plummet eight places in latest FIFA ranking

Sierra Leone has seen a significant drop in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday, following their unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the Morocco 2025 AFCON tournament next year.

This decline is attributed to poor performances in the recent African Cup of Nations match day five and six, where they drew against Chad and suffered a 2-0 defeat to Zambia in Group G as hosts nation.

From 121st to 129th in the global ranking – as a result, the West African nation has plummeted also to 38th on the continent, having conceded ten goals while scoring only five in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

Africa’s top ten ranked teams include Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia and South Africa.

On the global stage, Argentina, captained by Lionel Messi, retains the top position, followed by France in second and Spain in third. England and Brazil hold the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

These rankings reflect a busy international football calendar, which includes the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, AFCON 2025 matches, and Nations League fixtures.

Meanwhile, Niger made the biggest leap in the rankings, rising nine spots to 122nd globally with a total of 31.23 points.

The next FIFA ranking update is scheduled for December 12, 2024.

La Liga CD Leganés sign Ivorian striker Yan Diomande
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

La Liga CD Leganés sign Ivorian striker Yan Diomande

CD Leganés has signed Yan Diomande, an 18-year-old striker from Ivory Coast, who is known for his speed, skill, and ability to read the game, the club has said.

Diomande developed his talent in Ivory Coast and has shown a lot of potential, which has allowed him to move to European football.

He is expected to join the team at the end of this year or the beginning of 2025, depending on the completion of necessary paperwork.

He joins Leganés on a free transfer, showing the club’s commitment to developing young international players. After signing, Diomande said, “I am very grateful for this opportunity. I want to thank everyone involved in making this happen. I am fully committed and excited to get started.”

Mustapa Bundu nets in Argyle's 6-1 humiliation at Norwich
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu nets in Argyle’s 6-1 humiliation at Norwich

Mustapha Bundu from Sierra Leone scored for Plymouth Argyle in their 6-1 humiliation to Norwich City at Carrow Road on Tuesday night.

Argyle made three changes from their last game against Watford on Friday. Callum Wright, Bundu, and Victor Palsson started. Daniel Grimshaw was in goal, while Matty Sorinola, Bali Mumba, Julio Pleguezuelo, and Kornel Szucs played in defence with Palsson.

Sainz scored early for the hosts in the second minute before  the Spaniard calmly made it 2-0 but Just before half-time, Sierra Leone’s Mustapha Bundu pulled one back in the 39th minute, giving the visitors hope.

But Norwich’s Borja Sainz scored a hat-trick, and Shane Duffy, Anis Slimane, and Ante Crnac also scored for the home team.

Adam Randell captained the team again, with Darko Gyabi in midfield. Wright and Bundu played on either side of Andre Gray, who was the striker.

Norwich’s victory lifts them to ninth place in the Championship, just five points away from the play-off spots.

Meanwhile, Argyle, who suffered their previous worst defeat under Rooney—a 5-0 loss with ten men at Cardiff City last month—have dropped to 20th position, now only two points above the relegation zone.

Sierra Leone's Sullay Kaikai helps Cambridge draw against Bolton
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sullay Kaikai header helps 10-man Cambridge draw against Bolton

On Tuesday at the Abbey Stadium, Sullay Kaikai’s exceptional header in the 89th minute secured an unexpected draw for the 10-man Cambridge team against Bolton.

Despite being in the bottom three of the League One standings, a draw against Bolton while playing with ten men will feel like a win.

Cambridge faced significant challenges after Jubril Okedina received a red card four minutes into the second half for violent conduct following an altercation with George Johnston while Bolton prepared to take a corner.

Bolton’s goal looked set to decide the match until Andrew delivered a precise cross, which Kaikai headed past Nathan Baxter.

Cambridge opened the match well, creating two scoring opportunities in the first four minutes. Baxter saved both Kaikai’s initial shot and Ryan Loft’s chance from a deep cross by Liam Bennett.

Just before halftime, Jay Matete missed an opportunity, shooting over the bar after a poor clearance from James Brophy.

Young Africans suffer opening Champions League Group Stage defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Young Africans suffer opening Champions League Group Stage defeat

The CAF Champions League group stages started with a surprise as Young Africans SC lost 2-0 to Al Hilal on Tuesday, November 26, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Al Hilal scored two goals in the second half. Adama Coulibaly scored first, followed by Yasser Muzammil, leaving the Tanzanian champions struggling in their first match of the tournament. Al Hilal now leads Group A.

The crowd at the stadium supported the Young Africans SC as they pressured Al Hilal early on. Aziz Ki played a key role in their attack.

Young Africans SC dominated possession but couldn’t break through Al Hilal’s defense. After halftime, despite their continued attacks, they left defensive gaps. A long goal kick from Al Hilal’s goalkeeper reached Adama Coulibaly, who skillfully bypassed his defender and scored by sliding the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Young Africans SC couldn’t break Al Hilal’s solid defence. Yasser Muzammil sealed the victory with a similar goal. He connected with a long pass, ran toward the goalkeeper, and finished at the near post.

In another Group A match, TP Mazembe’s hopes for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League took a hit when they drew 0-0 with Algeria’s MC Alger.

Egypt's Al Ahly eye another CAF Champions League title
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Al Ahly eye another CAF Champions League title

Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller they are always aiming for the title as his team prepares to start the defence of their CAF Champions League title against Stade d’Abidjan on Tuesday.

The 2023/24 tournament group stage begins today, with top African clubs competing for the championship. Al Ahly will host Stade d’Abidjan at the Cairo International Stadium, seeking their third consecutive title.

The Red Eagles are unbeaten in their last 15 home matches in the tournament, with 13 wins. Koller emphasized their ambition, stating, “This edition will be difficult because all teams want to win, but our fans’ support drives us.”

Captain Mohamed El Shenawy shared a similar goal: “We want to win this title for the third time. We are used to handling pressure and will take it step by step.”

Stade d’Abidjan coach Alexandre Lafitte acknowledged the challenge: “We are in a tough group with experienced teams, but we’ve prepared well.”

In Group A, Al Hilal travels to Tanzania to face Young Africans, while Algeria’s MC Alger returns to the Champions League against DR Congo’s TP Mazembe.

Group B features a derby match between Moroccan teams Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat. Raja aims to regain its form, while FAR looks to leverage its league positioning. South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will meet the Manema Union of DR Congo.

In Group D, last year’s runners-up Esperance face Djoliba of Mali, and Pyramids FC takes on Angola’s Sagrada at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo.

Group C includes an important match between Algeria’s Chabab Belouizdad and South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, both eager to secure early points.

Sierra Leone's Steven Caulker retires from international football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Steven Caulker retires from international football

Sierra Leone defender Steven Caulker has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 32, after earning 20 caps for his country.

The announcement came a day after he stepped down as skipper of the Leone Stars amid his claim of the broken system following Sierra Leone’s failed attempt to reach Morocco in 2025.

The former Liverpool and Tottenham player joined Turkish club Keçiörengücü in July 2024 on a one-year deal, with an option for another year. He debuted on August 9 in the league opener against Sakaryaspor.

Caulker played an important role in Sierra Leone’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign. He helped the Leone Stars achieve a goalless draw against Algeria and a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast.

“I have made the difficult decision to retire from international football. I have played in 20 matches and participated in 1 AFCON tournament,” he wrote on his LinkedIn page.

Caulker started his professional career with Tottenham Hotspur in 2009. He spent three seasons on loan at Yeovil Town, Bristol City, and Swansea City.

While at Swansea, he made his first appearances in the Premier League. At the end of that season, he represented Britain at the 2012 Olympics. In November 2012, he scored in his first game for England in a friendly match against Sweden.

In October 2021, Caulker said he was waiting for FIFA to approve his switch from England to Sierra Leone. He played his first match for Sierra Leone in a friendly against Morocco, where the team lost 2-1.

On December 17, FIFA allowed him to play in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He was part of Sierra Leone’s squad and played in all three group matches. The team drew with Algeria and Ivory Coast but lost to Equatorial Guinea, finishing third in their group with two points.

Caulker made one appearance for England, his birth country, in a 4-2 loss to Sweden in November 2012 before switching his allegiance to Sierra Leone last year.

TP Mazembe crowned Queens of African women’s club football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

TP Mazembe crowned Queens of African women’s club football

TP Mazembe ladies from the Democratic Republic of Congo have won the CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco 2024.

In the final match at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi in El Jadida, TP Mazembe defeated the former champions and hosts AS FAR by a score of 1-0.

This victory is Mazembe’s first title in the tournament, erasing the disappointment of their early exit in 2022.

The deciding goal came from Marlene Kasaj, who scored on a penalty kick in the first 10 minutes. Mazembe defended their lead strongly throughout the match.

AS FAR pushed for an equalizer after falling behind, but TP Mazembe’s solid defence kept a clean sheet in the first half.

After halftime, TP Mazembe maintained their lead while AS FAR struggled to score.

Along with the Champions League trophy, TP Mazembe will receive $600,000, while AS FAR, as runners-up, will take home $400,000.

Maharlika FC midfielder John Kamara happy with his form
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Maharlika FC midfielder John Kamara happy with his form

Experience Sierra Leone International John Kamara has been pleased with his form this season since joining the Philippine’s top-tier side Maharlika.

Last season, Kamara was successful with United FC in the Philippines Football League organized by Liga Futbol Inc., where he made over 15 appearances.

Kamara, 35, the former Kaisar and Keşla FK, says he is enjoying his time helping his new club. “Although we suffered a 1-0 defeat to DH Cebu FC on Saturday, I believe it was a commendable effort considering we were away from home. This league is highly competitive, and I’m really enjoying the challenge it presents.

Joining a new club can always be tough, but I have confidence in my abilities. And I’m committed to working hard. I aim to demonstrate my determination and energy on the field.”

Kamara has played in Lebanon and Greece for clubs including Tadamon Sour, Apollon Smyrni, and Lamia. On January 8, 2019, Kamara joined Keşla FK, a club in the Azerbaijan Premier League. On June 25, 2020, he signed a new contract with Keşla for the 2020–21 season.

On December 27, 2021, Kamara left Keşla by mutual consent. In January 2023, he signed with the Greek team Egaleo. In March 2024, Kamara joined United City, a club in the Philippines Football League.

Steven Caulker steps down as Sierra Leone captain
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker steps down as Sierra Leone captain

The former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Caulker, who made his competitive debut for the Leone Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, has stepped down as captain as he thanked fans for their support.

Caulker, 32, who was appointed as skipper in March 2022, departed Sierra Leone ahead of the Zambia Matchday six tie following talks of controversy. However, the Sierra Leone Football Association said he was called home due to urgent personal matters that required his immediate attention.

He missed Sierra Leone’s 2-0 defeat in their final game against the Chipolopolo of Zambia of the 2025 AFCON Qualification campaign.

“The time has come for me to step down as captain of the Leone Stars,” Caulker noted to the medium. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to achieve my goal of qualifying us for AFCON, and it is with great sadness that I must accept this,” He explained. “I have given my all, three hard years battling against a very broken system. At times, we saw progress, but during this last campaign, it became evident that we have, in fact, taken five steps backwards.

I have donated my appearance fees from the 2024 AFCON campaign to ‘The Sick Pikin Baby Project’. I do not want to take money that we don’t deserve.

This is a fantastic charity doing amazing work and I know that several children will benefit from the donation. Sierra Leone has an enormous amount of talent, and it is vitally important that we get the right people in charge, people who know how to bring out the best in the players on the pitch.

Caulker is thankful for the opportunity

I would like to thank Coach John Keister and SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima for giving me the opportunity in 2021. I also want to thank my fellow players and the dedicated staff members who gave their all along the way.

Last but not least, I want to thank the fans. Your support has meant so much to me, and I am incredibly proud to have represented my grandad’s homeland. You welcomed me from day one, and for that, I will be forever grateful. Greater days are coming, keep the faith.”

In October 2021, Caulker announced he was waiting for FIFA’s approval to switch from England to Sierra Leone. He played in a friendly match against a Moroccan team, which Sierra Leone lost 2–1.

On December 17, FIFA cleared him to play in the Africa Cup of Nations. He was in Sierra Leone’s squad and played all three matches, drawing with Algeria and Ivory Coast but losing to Equatorial Guinea, finishing third in their group with two points.

Caulker made one international appearance for England, his birth country, in a 4-2 loss to Sweden in November 2012, but he switched allegiances to Sierra Leone last year.