Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigerian native David Ozoh joins Derby County
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigerian native David Ozoh joins Derby County

David Ozoh, a 19-year-old central midfielder hailing from Nigerian parents, has joined the Rams on a season-long loan from a Premier League side Crystal Palace to gain valuable match experience.

He is an England youth international and featured 12 times for the Eagles last season, with nine of those appearances in the Premier League.

Ozoh is the sixth summer signing for manager Paul Warne, following the arrivals of Ben Osborn, Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates, Kenzo Goudmijn, and Ebou Adams.

Ozoh was born in Valencia, Spain, to Nigerian parents. He joined Crystal Palace’s Academy at eight years old, signed professional terms in August 2022, and made his senior debut in January 2023 at the age of 17, becoming the club’s youngest-ever Premier League player.

He made 11 senior appearances in the 2023/24 season and represented England at Under-18 level on five occasions.

Opening draw for Morocco against Argentine in Paris Olympics
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Opening win for Morocco over Argentina in Men’s Olympic

In the Group B Olympics match held at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint Etienne, Rahimi Soufiane scored two goals as Morocco defeated Argentina 2-1 on Wednesday.

The Argentina squad, which included players such as Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, scored late to make it 2-2. However, a late VAR intervention ruled the goal offside on the first day of football action at the Paris Olympics.

Soufiane Rahimi scored both goals for Morocco, first in the 45+2nd minute and then again from the penalty spot to double his side’s lead.

In the Argentina vs. Morocco football game at Paris 2024, Giovanni Simeone scored a goal for Argentina, but they couldn’t find another goal until the 16th minute of added time when Cristian Medina equalized for the 2008 Olympics gold medal winners.

Due to on-field chaos, the match was suspended for over an hour. Play eventually resumed behind closed doors, with the African side winning 2-1 after an equalizer by their opponents had been ruled out by VAR.

Argentina’s players were booed by the crowd after a video showed them chanting a song labelled as “racist and discriminatory” by the French Football Federation after winning the Copa America.

The organizers issued a statement confirming that the football match between Argentina and Morocco at the Saint-Etienne Stadium had to be suspended. This was a result of a pitch invasion by a small number of spectators.

In another match, Spain defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 at the Parc des Princes in western Paris, with Marc Pubill and Sergio Gómez scoring for the Euro 2024 winners, while Eldor Shomurodov pulled one back for the Uzbeks.

Southern Arena ready to host San Pedro as Rangers bolster squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Southern Arena ready to host San Pedro as Rangers bolster squad

Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone’s reigning champions, have bolstered their team with the season’s top scorer, Musa Noah Kamara, and six new players.

In addition, the Confederation of African Football has approved the Southern Arena to host next month’s Interclub first-leg match against Ivorian side San Pedro, Football Sierra Leone Understands.  

The new additions to Bo Rangers’ squad include young left-back Idrissa Sesay from Freetonians SLIFA, versatile defender Edmund Momoh, Lamin Conteh from FC Johansen, goalkeeper Abubakarr Kamara from Wusum Stars, George Mattar, who was in Sweden and Michael Brima from Alpha Lions in Kenema, making the squad stronger – as they prepare for the upcoming CAF Champions League campaign in August.

Musa, the leading goal scorer this season, scoring 15 goals and winning the Golden Boot, has re-joined his former club and is the first player to achieve this award with three different clubs.

Bo Rangers will face the Ivorian team San Pedro in a crucial match during the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League next month for a place in the next round.

The tie will occur between the 16th and 18th of August, followed by a trip to Ivory Coast the following weekend.

It’s worth noting that since 1989, when Mighty Blackpool reached the Quarterfinal stage of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, no Sierra Leonean team has progressed to the group stages of Interclub competitions.

These upcoming competitions will provide a chance for Rangers and East End Lions to make a significant impact in continental football and rewrite history.

Mali will play their first match against Israel in the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday, July 24th - kick off at 6:00 PM CAT.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali ready for Israel in Olympics football showdown

Mali will play their first match against Israel in the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday, July 24th – kick off at 6:00 PM CAT.

The match will be at Parc des Princes in Paris, France. Mali had a 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan in a friendly match on June 10th. They haven’t lost in their last four matches, winning three and drawing one.

“As coach, my objective is to do better than our quarter-final finish at Athens 2004,” Badra Diallo told FIFA. The well-travelled Malian is sure to have lofty ambitions for his troops when the action gets underway in France, not least because the Olympic movement holds a special place in his heart.

Keep an eye on midfielder Boubacar Traoré, who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League.

Israel lost 2-0 to Germany in the 2025 UEFA Under 21 Euro qualifiers in March 2024 and hasn’t played since. They have lost their last six matches. Oscar Gloukh, an attacking midfielder for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga, is a key player for Israel.

This will be the first time Mali and Israel meet at the under-23 level. The match will be officiated by referee Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh from New Zealand.

Olympics history – Previous participations: 1 (Athens 2004) – Best result: Quarter-finals (Athens 2004)

Mali headed to Athens in 2004, eager to emulate the exploits of African heavyweights Nigeria and Cameroon, who had reigned supreme in the previous two editions of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament.

Les Aigles Espoirs got their campaign up and running with a scoreless stalemate against Mexico before making their mark against the hosts with a 2-0 win. Well placed to advance to the next round, the tournament first-timers shared the spoils with the Korea Republic in a thrilling tussle that ended 3-3, a result that was enough to see them progress as group winners.

The West Africans then took Italy to extra time in the quarter-finals following a goalless draw after normal time, only for Cesare Bovo’s 116th-minute header to crush Malian dreams of an Olympic medal.

Mali’s Group D fixtures – All kick-off times are local

Wednesday, 24 July – Mali v Israel | 21:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris

Saturday, 27 July- Japan v Mali | 21:00 | Stade de Bordeaux

Tuesday, 30 July – Paraguay v Mali | 21:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris

Women's Olympic - Nigeria to open against Brazil as Zambia meet USA
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Women’s Olympic: Nigeria face Brazil as Zambia meet USA

Africa’s representatives, Nigeria and Zambia, will kick off their campaigns on the opening day of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 on Thursday, alongside ten other teams.

Nigeria vs. Brazil Venue: Stade de Bordeaux, Kick-off: 19:00

Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.

Nigeria is the most experienced African nation at the Games, having competed three times in the past. Brazil has won both previous meetings against Nigeria.

They won 4-3 after extra time in the 1999 Women’s World Cup quarter-final and 3-1 in the group stage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

USA vs. Zambia Venue: Stade de Nice, Kick-off: 21:00

The U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team starts their 2024 Summer Olympics journey on July 25 against Zambia at Stade de Nice in Nice, France. The game will be at 9 p.m. local time / 3 p.m. ET.

The USA’s only previous Olympic match against an African team was a 3-1 victory against Nigeria at Sydney 2000.

During Tokyo 2020, Zambia’s captain Barbra Banda made history by becoming the first player to score hat-tricks in back-to-back Olympic matches.

She scored three goals in each of the group-stage matches against the Netherlands and China PR.

Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Meanwhile, host nation France will play against Colombia, while World champions Spain will face Japan in a rematch of their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 group-stage meeting, which Japan won 4-0.

Germany will compete against Australia from Group B as Canada takes on New Zealand.

See the link for full Women’s Olympic matches.

Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.
Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.
Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Sierra Leone-born Trevoh Chalobah out of Chelsea US pre-season trip
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone-born Trevoh Chalobah out of Chelsea pre-season trip

Trevoh Chalobah has not been included in Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the USA, where the team is scheduled to play five matches ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

The defender is among the players that Chelsea is looking to sell this summer and has garnered interest from Crystal Palace.

With several players vying for positions, Chelsea has chosen to leave Chalobah at home, indicating the club’s willingness to part ways with the player.

Among the selected centre-backs for the Stateside tour are Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, and summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo.

The decision to exclude Chalobah was not made lightly, highlighting the club’s careful consideration of its squad composition.

Chalobah has been with Chelsea for 17 years and is currently under contract until 2028, making it harder to transfer him.

Chelsea’s USA Tour 2024

  • Chelsea vs Wrexham – Wednesday 24 July at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
  • Chelsea vs Celtic – Saturday 27 July at Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana.
  • Chelsea vs Club America – Wednesday 31 July at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Chelsea vs Manchester City – Saturday 3 August at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
  • Chelsea vs Real Madrid – Tuesday 6 August at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Chelsea confirmed USA trip 28-man squad
Chelsea confirmed USA trip 28-man squad
Ivorian striker Bénie Traoré pens FC Basel deal from Sheffield United
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivorian Bénie Traoré pens Basel deal from Sheffield United

Sheffield United has officially announced the departure of Ivorian International striker Bénie Traoré from the club to join Swiss side FC Basel for an undisclosed fee.

The Ivorian striker has signed a four-year contract until the summer of 2028 and will strengthen the Red and Blue squad with immediate effect.

Traoré, 21, who was signed by the previous manager, Paul Heckingbottom, from BK Häcken last summer, had limited playing time during his tenure at the Blades, with only nine competitive appearances.

Following his official debut on 12 August 2023 in a 1–0 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, he spent the latter half of the previous season on loan in France with Nantes.

Expressing his satisfaction upon signing for the Swiss Super League club, Traoré stated, “I am delighted to have finalized my move to FC Basel. I have received encouraging feedback about the club, further affirming my positive impressions.

I am adept in various offensive positions on the field and can contribute in versatile roles. Having completed my pre-season training with Sheffield over the past few weeks, I am eagerly anticipating representing my new team on the pitch.”

Dutch side FC Emmen eye Sierra Leone winger Jonathan Morsay
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dutch side FC Emmen eye Sierra Leone winger Morsay

Dutch club FC Emmen is interested in signing Sierra Leonean winger Jonathan Morsay, who is currently without a club.

Morsay, 26, previously played for Cypriot side AEL Limassol, where he scored two goals in 22 league games last season.

The Greek side has recently announced that they are parting ways with Morsay, despite him having a contract until 2025.

According to Sportbladet, FC Emmen is considering offering Morsay a contract. If the deal with FC Emmen doesn’t work out, other options are being considered. Morsay, a Sierra Leone International, has previously played for Chievo Verona.

FC Emmen is a professional football club from Emmen, Drenthe. They currently play in the Eerste Divisie, which is the second tier of Dutch football, after being relegated from the Eredivisie in the 2022–23 season.

Kei Kamara's Los Angeles tighten grip on Western Conference table
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kei Kamara’s Los Angeles tighten Western Conference table grip

The Major League second-all-time top scorer played 21 minutes as Los Angeles defeated Seattle Sounders 3-0 at Lumen Field in Seattle on Saturday night.

The victory means they are two points behind the rival LA Galaxy despite having played two fewer games. Denis Bouanga scored two goals for LAFC, with the first coming from a penalty kick in the 16th minute.

Mateusz Bogusz scored the second goal nine minutes later with a right-footed volley. In the 74th minute, Bouanga scored his second goal through Kei Kamara’s assist to seal the victory for LAFC.

Hugo Lloris made three important saves in the final moments to keep a clean sheet for LAFC, his ninth of the season.

With this win, LAFC remains in second place in the Western Conference and fourth in the Supporters’ Shield standings, six points behind the leaders, Inter Miami.

LAFC’s next match will be at home on Friday, July 26, against Club Tijuana in the Leagues Cup opener for both clubs.

Match Highlights

Guinea beat Argentina in preparation for the Olympic opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea defeat Argentina in pre-Olympic football match

Guinea’s Syli national U23 team impressively defeated Argentina 1-0 in their final match before the Olympics in Vitré, France.

Thanks to a goal by Mohamed Soumah in the 72nd minute, they wrapped up their preparations ahead of their Paris Olympics opener on Wednesday.

Argentina’s Olympic coach, Javier Mascherano, has welcomed all of his players, including Copa America champions Nicolás Otamendi, Julián Álvarez, and Gerónimo Rulli, who joined the team earlier in the week.

Guinea’s manager, Kaba Diawara, was pleased to watch his team beat one of the tournament favourites.

The West Africans will start their Olympic campaign against New Zealand on July 24 at Stade de Nice, followed by a match against the home team, France, three days later.

They will finish the group stage with a challenging game against the USA on July 30.

Argentina, on the other hand, has been drawn into Group B with Morocco, Iraq, and Ukraine. They will play their first match on July 24th against Morocco, their second on July 27th against Iraq, and their third on July 30th against Ukraine.

Guinea’s Group A fixtures –All kick-offs in local time

Wednesday, 24 July Guinea v New Zealand | 17:00 | Stade de Nice

Saturday, 27 July France v Guinea | 21:00 | Stade de Nice

Tuesday, 30 July USA v Guinea | 19:00 | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint Etienne