Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bo Rangers draw 1-1 with San Pedro set up a tense return fixture
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bo Rangers draw 1-1 with San Pedro to set up tense return fixture

In the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League preliminary round, Bo Rangers, the champions of Sierra Leone, tied 1-1 with San Pedro from Ivory Coast in the first leg on Saturday.

The first-leg tie showcased an intense battle through the 90th minute at the Southern Arena in Bo City. The home team scored first in the 48th minute through Mohamadu Lamin, causing excitement among the fans.

However, they were unable to capitalize on their lead. The Ivorian team equalized through Issouf Dosso in the 73rd minute, resulting in a draw.

The return fixture is scheduled for next weekend, expected to be an exciting match as the winner will advance to the second preliminary round.

In other matches, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia achieved a 2-1 victory away against FC Vitalo from Burundi, while Namibia’s Africa Stars secured a 1-0 win over Gaborone Galaxy from Botswana.

Raja Casablanca defeated Garde Nationale 2-1 in Niger. Saber Bougrine opened the scoring for Raja Casablanca in the 20th minute, but their opponents equalized in the 37th minute.

However, Marouane Zila restored Raja Casablanca’s lead in the 66th minute, securing a 2-1 win for the Moroccan club.

Some results of the first-leg matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Preliminary Round:

– FC Villa Jogo 1-2 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
– FC Vitalo 0-4 Young Africans
– Africa Stars 1-0 Gaborone Galaxy
– Ngazi Platinum 0-0 AS Maniema
– Saint-Louis 0-1 Sagrada Esperança
– Garde Nationale 1-2 Raja Casablanca
– Red Star 0-0 Djoliba Bamako
– Stade d’Abidjan 1-1 FC Teungueth
– Bo Rangers 1-1 San Pedro
– Douanes du Burkina Faso 0-0 Cotonou du Bénin
– Al Nasr 0-0 Al-Merreikh

Kei Kamara helps Los Angeles beat Seattle Sounders
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kei Kamara helps Los Angeles beat Seattle Sounders  

On Sunday, Los Angeles made history by advancing to the semifinals of the Leagues Cup for the first time in their history with a 3-0 away win over the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field.

Ryan Hollingshead and Kei Kamara scored first-half goals, and Denis Bouanga added the third after the break, making him the all-time leading scorer in the Leagues Cup’s two-year history.

LAFC will host the Colorado Rapids in the semifinals on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at BMO Stadium. The winner will advance to the Leagues Cup Final on Sunday, Aug. 25.

LAFC took the lead within the first 20 minutes, with Maxime Chanot’s long ball finding Hollingshead, who scored in the 14th minute.

Kamara doubled the lead 11 minutes later with an acrobatic volley. In the second half, Bouanga’s goal sealed the 3-0 victory for LAFC.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (in Photo with Kei) secured his third shutout in four Leagues Cup appearances.

CAF makes historic $50,000 giveaway to interclub representatives
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF makes historic $50,000 giveaway to interclub representatives

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has recently announced that each team participating in the Preliminary Stages will receive $50,000 in financial assistance.

This marks the first time CAF has provided financial assistance to clubs at this stage of the competition.

This decision is aligned with CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe’s pledge to enhance club competitions and provide increased financial aid to clubs.

The ongoing leg matches commence on the 16 August, followed by return legs from 23-25 August 2024. The upcoming Second Preliminary Round in September will determine the clubs advancing to the group stage.

Previously, clubs were required to progress to the Group Stages to qualify for a share of the overall prize money. Over the last couple of years, the CAF Executive has made substantial investments in African Club Football. 

TOTALENERGIES CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

  • Position | Prize Money
  • Winner | USD 4,000,000
  • Runner-up | USD 2,000,000
  • Semi-Finalists | USD 1,200,000
  • Quarterfinalists | USD 900,000
  • 3rd of Group | USD 700,000
  • 4th of Group | USD 700,000

 

TOTAL ENERGIES CAF CONFEDERATION CUP

  • Position | Prize Money
  • Winner | USD 2,000,000
  • Runner-up | USD 1,000,000
  • Semi-finalists | USD 750,000
  • Quarterfinalists | USD 550,000
  • 3rd of Group | USD 400,000
  • 4th of Group | USD 400,000

 

Striker Amadou Bakayoko opens his J League account for Sapporo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Amadou Bakayoko opens his J League account for Sapporo

Sierra Leone International striker Amadou Bakayoko scored his first J-League goal as Consadole Sapporo defeated Sagan Tosu in a high-scoring match with a score of 5-3 in round 27 of the season.

Bakayoko, 28, who joined the team on a free transfer, made his debut and scored from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.

Sapporo took an early lead with a goal from Supachok in the 10th minute, followed by another goal from Yoshinari Komai in the 11th minute, and a third goal in the 16th minute, giving them a 3-0 lead in the first half.

However, Tosu fought back in the second half, scoring in the 57th minute through Akito Fukuda and then closing the gap to one point in the 60th minute with a goal from Tojiro Kubo.

Sapporo scored their fourth goal with an own goal in the 70th minute, and Bakayoko sealed the victory for Sapporo with the fifth goal from the penalty spot in the 89th minute, securing the win when Tosu was once again within one point.

Sapporo’s win earned them three points, marking their first win in three games, while Tosu suffered their fifth consecutive game without a victory.

Meiji Yasuda J1 League Standings

Attacker Mustapha Bundu on target in Plymouth Argyle's Cup win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Mustapha Bundu on target in Plymouth Argyle’s Cup win  

Sierra Leone’s striker, Mustapha Bundu, scored as Plymouth Argyle’s head coach, Wayne Rooney, achieved his first win in the Carabao Cup match on Wednesday evening.

The team rebounded from their 4-0 Championship defeat at Sheffield Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over Cheltenham Town at Home Park.

Plymouth Argyle had more chances in the first half, with Ryan Hardie and Freddie Issaka going close, while Ethon Archer hit the post with a low shot five minutes before half-time.

Ben Waine broke the deadlock after an hour, tapping in from close range after Adam Randell’s free-kick was parried onto the crossbar.

After taking the lead, Argyle dominated the game, with substitutes Mustapha Bundu and Morgan Whittaker missing good chances.

In the 81st minute, Hardie doubled the lead with a close-range finish from Ibrahim Cissoko’s cross.

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu sealed the win in the 84th minute with a controlled finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

In his first game in charge on Sunday, Rooney’s team had suffered a 4-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

However, for this match, Rooney made changes to the lineup, with only young midfielder Darko Gyabi and goalkeeper Conor Hazard remaining, as Michael Cooper was set to join Sheffield United as their new goalkeeper.

Argyle 3 

Waine 62, Hardie 81, Bundu 84 

Cheltenham 0 

Abu Kamara nets in Norwich Carabao Cup win over Stevenage
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara scores first Norwich’s goal in win over Stevenage

On Tuesday, Abu Kamara, a native of Sierra Leone, scored his first goal for Norwich as they secured a 4-3 victory over Stevenage, earning a spot in the second round of the Carabao Cup at Carrow Road.

The team made seven changes from their last game. Newcomers to the starting lineup included Brad Hills, Jaden Warner, Amankwah Forson, Abu Kamara, George Long, Onel Hernández, and Kellen Fisher.

Kamara, who last season was pivotal in Portsmouth’s promotion, scored his first goal for Norwich, in the first start, but Stevenage quickly equalized.

Hernández then scored, but Stevenage equalized again. In the second half, Kamara and Hernández, both scored again, leading to Norwich’s 4-3 win.

17-year-old Elliot Myles made his senior debut towards the end of the match. Next, Norwich City will play against Blackburn Rovers at Carrow Road on Saturday at 3 pm.

The Carabao Cup Round Two draw will be conducted live on Sky Sports after the Leeds United v Middlesbrough match on Wednesday, 14 August.

Nigeria midfielder Alhassan Yusuf ready for MLS adventure
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigerian midfielder Alhassan Yusuf ready for MLS adventure

The New England Revolution has obtained Nigerian central midfielder Alhassan Yusuf from the Belgian club Royal Antwerp FC for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old will occupy an international roster spot through the 2027 Major League Soccer season, with an option for 2028.

“Yusuf will join the Revolution pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC),” NER has announced.

After three years in the Belgian top flight with Royal Antwerp, where he won three trophies, including the 2022-23 Belgian Pro League championship and 2022-23 Belgian Cup, he joined our team.

Yusuf played in all six games for Antwerp in the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League, scoring a goal against FC Porto and providing an assist against FC Barcelona.

He also made seven appearances in the UEFA Europa League. In total, he had 90 league appearances for Antwerp and made three appearances for the Nigeria National Team at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished as runners-up.

Highly rated youngster Gift Sunday joins Norwegian side
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Highly rated youngster Gift Sunday joins Norwegian side

Norwegian football club FK Bodø Glimt has officially announced the signing of Nigerian forward Gift Sunday.

“The 18-year-old Nigerian Gift Sunday is the newest addition to Bodø/Glimt,” Bodø Glimt noted on their website

He hails from the P Sports Academy in his home country and has recently signed with Bodø/Glimt until the summer of 2028.

“It’s a great experience for me to sign my first professional contract with such a big club like Glimt. It’s a dream come true,” says a smiling Gift Sunday to glimt.no.

“We’ve been following each other for a while, and he has previously visited us during a training stint. Now we’re looking forward to getting to know him even better,” says sporting director Håvard Sakariassen.

Yayah Kallon nets first Salernitana goal in win over Spezia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Yayah Kallon nets first Salernitana goal in win over Spezia

At the “Arechi” stadium, Salernitana qualified for the round of 32 of the Coppa Italia by beating Spezia 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw at full time.

Sierra Leone-born Yayah Kallon helped U.S. Salernitana 1919 progress to round 32 of the Coppa Italia – his 53rd-minute goal revived their comeback.

In the 43rd minute, Spezia scored the first goal. After that, they scored a second goal and were ahead 2-0 at halftime. Salernitana scored a goal early in the second half through Yayah Kallon, making it 2-1.

Spezia then scored another goal, making it 3-1. The home team scored twice, equalizing the game at 3-3. The match went to a penalty shootout, which Salernitana won 5-4.

Kallon, 23, sealed a season-long loan transfer from Hellas Verona to the Serie B outfit Salernitana last month.

During his loan spell at Bari last season, Kallon made 14 appearances and scored two goals. He is hopeful he will continue performing well on the field.

Senegal's Aigles de la Médina crowned Champions of WAFU A
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Aigles de la Médina crowned Champions of WAFU A

The Aigles De La Medina from Senegal emerged as the champions of the WAFU A CAF Women’s Champions League, earning the opportunity to represent their region in the forthcoming CAF Women’s Champions League.

The tournament, which took place in a vibrant and diverse setting, showcased the participation of five clubs representing different countries. Aigles De La Medina, displaying remarkable skill and determination, clinched the top title, thereby earning the right to compete in the renowned continental contest.

The qualifiers saw the impressive performances of the Determined Girls from Liberia and the Mogbwemo Queens from Sierra Leone, who both put up a valiant fight. Their tenacity and talent made the final matches intensely competitive and thrilling for all involved.

In a pivotal match, Aigles De La Medina achieved a 2-1 victory against Determine Girls, who required a win to secure the title. This outcome provided Mogbwemo Queens with a chance to claim the championship, but they failed to win against the Red Scorpion from Gambia.

As the matches unfolded, Aigles De La Medina anxiously awaited the result between Mogbwemo Queens and Red Scorpions. In the end, it was a goalless draw.

The draw confirmed Aigles De La Medina as champions of the WAFU A Qualifiers with 7 points, followed by Determine Girls and Mogbwemo Queens with 6 points each.

Defending champions AS Mandé settled for fourth place with 4 points, as did Red Scorpion.

The CAF Women’s Champions League 2024 Finals is scheduled for November 2024, aiming to showcase the growth and competitiveness of women’s football on the continent, gaining momentum since its inception in Egypt three years ago.

Individual Trophies and Awards

  • Best Player: Jessica Quachie (Liberia – Determine Girls)
  • Best Scorer: Bountou Sylla, 4 goals (Guinea – Determine Girls)
  • Best Goalkeeper: Djaka Chérif Haidara (Mali – AS Mandé)
  • Fair Play: Mogbewmo Queens

 

Six more places to be confirmed for the following zones:

  • Hosts: To be announced
  • Title Holders: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
  • WAFU A: Aigles de la Medina (Senegal)
  • WAFU B: To be confirmed 
  • UNIFFAC: To be confirmed
  • COSAFA: To be confirmed
  • CECAFA: To be confirmed
Senegal's Aigles De La Medina won the WAFU A CAF Women's Champions League Qualifiers and will represent their zone in the upcoming CAF Women's Champions League in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Senegal's Aigles De La Medina won the WAFU A CAF Women's Champions League Qualifiers and will represent their zone in the upcoming CAF Women's Champions League in Johannesburg, South Africa.