Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone to open AFCON 2025 campaign against Chad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone to open AFCON 2025 campaign against Chad

Sierra Leone will begin their 2025 Afcon qualifying campaign by playing their first match against Chad at home, followed by a match against Zambia’s Chipolopolo in September for match-day two.

The Leone Stars will compete against Chad and Zambia in the first week of September, between the 2nd and the 10th. They are aiming to qualify for the continental tournament in Morocco next year, which would be their fourth time participating in the tournament.

In 2015, Sierra Leone and Chad played two matches, with Chad winning 1-0 at the Idriss Mahamat Ouya Omnisports Stadium during the FIFA World Cup Africa 1st round 1st Leg and Sierra Leone winning the second leg 2-1 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta in Port Harcourt the same year.

These matches were for the first round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Preliminary. 2–2 on aggregate. Chad won on the away goals rule and advanced to the second round against Egypt.

In each group of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, only the top two teams will qualify for the final tournament. However, in Group B, which includes hosts Morocco, only one other team will be eligible.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.

Kei Kamara continues his excellent scoring form with LAFC
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kei Kamara continues his excellent scoring form with LAFC

Kei Kamara, the second-highest goal scorer in Major League Soccer, has scored three goals in his last four matches for Los Angeles in all competitions.

Another header from Kamara as Los Angeles extended its club-record unbeaten streak to 12 games in all competitions with a 2-1 win over archrivals LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl on Thursday night.

LAFC took the lead in the 40th minute when Kei Kamara scored with a powerful header from a Mateusz Bogusz corner kick, making the score 1-0.

Dénis Athanase Bouanga scored their second goal in the 44th minute before LA Galaxy pulled one back in the 56th minute through Gabriel Pec. However, that would be as close as they would get on the night as the Black & Gold locked down defensively on the way to victory.

LAFC won their third consecutive game against the Galaxy and their third consecutive league game.

They are currently at the top of the Western Conference with a record of 13-4-4 and 43 points, three points ahead of the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake.

Coach Amidu Karim urges early preps for AFCON qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Amidu Karim wants early preps for AFCON qualifiers

Sierra Leone’s coach prefers to begin preparations early after Leone Stars were placed in Group G, against holders Ivory Coast, 2012 Champions Zambia, and minnows Chad.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has set a three-month window for the qualification process to Morocco following a draw in Johannesburg on Thursday. The road to Morocco will begin in September and conclude in November 2024. 

Coach Amidu Karim acknowledged the tough race to Morocco as he’ll come up against formidable opponents, including holders Ivory Coast, 2012 Champions Zambia, and Chad, starting in September.

The qualifiers are set to kick off in September 2024 to determine the first 24 nations to compete in Africa’s biggest event, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025.

He led his Leone Stars team to earn four points from their last two World Cup 2026 qualification matches with a 2-1 victory over Djibouti and a 2-2 draw against Burkina Faso in June.

Coach Karim told Football Sierra Leone, “Our group has no weak teams. All we have to do is start our preparations. I’m optimistic about putting on a good show with the team’s current form and performance.”

Only the top two teams in each group will qualify for the final tournament, except for Group B, which includes hosts Morocco. In this group, only one other team will be eligible.

The Leone Stars did not qualify for the AFCON in Ivory Coast as they finished third in Group A behind Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.

The 35th AFCON edition is scheduled to take start from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, encompassing the Christmas period.

2025 AFCON qualifiers Match days scheduled:

MD 1 & 2- 2nd- 10th September, 2024.

MD3 & 4- 7-15th October, 2024

MD 5 & 6- 11-19th November, 2024

Ivory Coast's head coach, Emerse Fae, is confident that his team will qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco from Group G.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Emerse fae confident of reaching Morocco from Group G

Ivory Coast’s head coach, Emerse Fae, is confident that his team will qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco from Group G.

Fae became the manager of the Ivory Coast U23 and assistant coach of the Ivory Coast senior team in May 2022. Later, in January 2024, he was appointed as caretaker of Ivory Coast for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, following the dismissal of Gasset.

Under his leadership, Ivory Coast clinched the 2023 AFCON title, and Fae was awarded the Best Coach of the tournament.
The Ivory Coast has been assigned to a challenging group for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will compete against Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Chad in Group G.

Fae mentioned his familiarity with the Zambian team, which Ivory Coast previously played against in the last Afcon qualifying.

“We played against Zambia for the last Afcon qualifying so we know this team very well,” Fae said.

“No easy games in African football but we are defending champions and must be ready to defend our crown by reaching Morocco 2025,” Fae was quoted as saying.

“The team appreciates the proximity of the upcoming games, as they prefer not to have long trips.”

The qualifiers will occur across six match days in September, October, and November of this year. Fae expressed his preference for playing all the games quickly, as it helps the team to stay focused and allows them time to prepare if they qualify for the competition.

The 2025 Afcon finals are scheduled to begin on 21st December next year, with the final on 18th January 2026.

The Ivory Coast has been assigned to a challenging group for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will compete against Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Chad in Group G.
The Ivory Coast has been assigned to a challenging group for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will compete against Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Chad in Group G.
AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Sierra Leone grouped with Ivory Coast, Zambia and Chad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone face former champions for road to Morocco 2025

The national football team of Sierra Leone, known as the Leone Stars, has been placed in Group G as per the official draw made on Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The team, led by Amidu Karim, faces formidable opponents including holders Ivory Coast, 2012 Champions Zambia and Chad, in the race to the 2025 AFCON group stages starting in September.

The qualifiers are set to kick off in September 2024 to determine the first 24 nations to compete in Africa’s biggest event, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025.

The upcoming matches will determine the qualification of teams for the 35th edition of the biennial African football tournament, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In each group, only the top two teams will qualify for the final tournament, except for Group B, which includes hosts Morocco 🇲🇦. In this group, only one other team will qualify.

The 35th AFCON edition is scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, encompassing the Christmas period.

The qualifiers will begin in September 2024 and conclude in November 2024. This prestigious event will bring together the best national teams from across the continent to compete for the coveted title.

The Leone Stars did not qualify for the AFCON in Ivory Coast as they finished third in Group A behind Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.

Mamelodi Sundowns and coach Rhulani Mokwena part ways
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mamelodi Sundowns and coach Rhulani Mokwena part ways

Mamelodi Sundowns and Rhulani Mokwena have mutually agreed to conclude their working relationship, marking the end of Rhulani Mokwena’s role as Head Coach.

Mokwena won four league trophies with Sundowns, two as co-coach. Last season, he guided Sundowns to the first-ever African Football League but they couldn’t win the CAF Champions League, their main goal.

Sundowns express its sincere appreciation to Rhulani Mokwena for his invaluable contributions to the club’s successes and achievements during his tenure as Head Coach.

Mokwena will always be considered a part of the Mamelodi Sundowns Family, and the club wishes him the utmost success in his future endeavours.

The decision was made by the Board, taking into consideration the club’s objectives and expectations and was not influenced by any individual associated with the club.

“Sundowns is deeply committed to the development and growth of South African coaches and players. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi and the Technical Team will continue to lead and oversee the training and preparation of the players for the upcoming season,” Sundowns noted.

Mamelodi Sundowns is diligently preparing to compete in all upcoming competitions and is honoured to be one of the four Football Clubs representing the African Continent in the historic FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Nigeria's forward Muhamed Tijani Joins Plymouth Argyle 
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s forward Muhamed Tijani Joins Plymouth Argyle 

English Championship side Plymouth Argyle has signed Muhamed Tijani on loan from Slavia Prague. The deal is subject to EFL approval and international clearance.

The Nigerian forward, 23, scored 13 goals in 33 games for Taborsko in the 2021/22 season. He also played in the Europa League for Slavia Prague, scoring two goals.

At the international level, Tijani was part of the Nigeria under-20 squad that competed in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

He played his first international match on 24 May 2019 against the Qatar under-20 side. He scored his first international goal on 30 May through a penalty kick against the Ukraine under-20 team.

Argyle’s Head Coach, Wayne Rooney, is excited about Tijani joining the team and is looking forward to working with him.

Argyle can buy the player at the end of his loan spell. Tijani, from Nigeria, moved to the Czech Republic at 18 to join Banik Ostrava’s youth system.

In the summer of 2023, he moved to Slavia Prague for approximately £1m and played 19 times, scoring four goals. Two goals came in the UEFA Europa League, including a last-ditch winner away to FC Sheriff.

Wayne Rooney, Head Coach of Argyle, said, “Muhamed’s arrival enhances our forward line with his size, athleticism, and scoring ability. He’s experienced in the Europa League and is eager to improve.”

Neil Dewsnip, Director of Football, added, “We’re thrilled to have Muhamed on board. He brings a different profile to our forward line and has immense growth potential. We’re excited to have him on board before pre-season begins.”

Anderlecht eye Portsmouth winger Abu Kamara
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Anderlecht eye Portsmouth’s winger Abu Kamara

After a successful loan spell with Portsmouth, Norwich City winger Abu Kamara is a summer target for Belgian top-tier side Anderlecht, Football Sierra Leone understands.

Kamara’s impressive performance at League One champions Portsmouth has attracted interest, but Norwich plans to include him in their first-team under manager Johannes Hoff Thorup.

Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reports that Anderlecht, managed by former Norwich youth coach Brian Riemer, are keen on signing Kamara and wants to bring him to Belgium this summer.

A source from Norwich has confirmed that they plan to include Kamara in their first-team set-up this summer while their new head coach, Thorup, assesses the squad.

Kamara was an important player in Portsmouth’s championship-winning season last year. He scored ten goals and provided eleven assists in 52 games.

This summer, he made his debut for England’s U20 team. The 20-year-old, who came through City’s academy, has one year left on his contract at Carrow Road, and Norwich has a one-year option.

Al-Merrikh unveil Nigerian keeper Olorunleke Oluwasegun Ojo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al-Merrikh unveil Nigerian keeper Olorunleke Oluwasegun Ojo

Al-Merrikh SC has unveiled their new signing, Nigerian goalkeeper Olorunleke Oluwasegun Ojo, who previously played for Enyimba FC.

The club made the announcement on its official Facebook page, but no terms of the contract were mentioned.

Ojo began his senior career with Giwa FC in 2013 and later moved to Kano Pillars in 2014.

In 2021, he joined Enyimba and eventually became the team captain in 2023. Ojo has represented Nigeria at various levels and was part of the Nigeria U20s team that won the 2015 African U-20 Championship.

He received his first call-up to the senior Nigeria national team in 2022 and was included in the squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, making him the only player selected from the Nigeria Professional Football League.

FC Basel has extended the contract of Adriano Onyegbule, a German-Nigerian attacking midfielder, until the end of the 2026-2027 season.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Adriano Onyegbule extends FC Basel contract

FC Basel has extended the contract of Adriano Onyegbule, a German-Nigerian attacking midfielder, until the end of the 2026-2027 season.

Onyegbule, 18, joined Basel in 2022 and made his senior debut in May 2023. He has been promoted to Basel’s first team for the upcoming season.

Onyegbule has represented Germany’s youth teams in six matches and remains eligible to play for the Flying Eagles.

The midfielder moved from RB Leipzig’s youth department to Rotblau around two years ago and, has so far, made four competitive appearances for the first team.

Most recently, the German-Nigerian dual citizen has mainly played in the U21s, where he has made 39 appearances (3 goals).