Author: Football Sierra Leone

Ghanaian forward Kelvin Ofori excited after joining Slovan Bratislava
by Football Sierra Leone

Ghanaian forward Kelvin Ofori excited after joining Slovan Bratislava

Ghanaian forward Kelvin Ofori has signed a three-year contract with Slovakian giants Slovan Bratislava.

The Right to Dream Academy graduate is excited about his new adventure with the Slovakian champions after leaving rivals Spartak Trnava.

During his time at Trnava, Ofori made 28 league appearances and scored nine goals, also winning two Slovak Cup titles.

Ofori shared his enthusiasm for joining Slovan Bratislava and playing in Europe. “European football excites me, and I’m keen to chase victories and trophies. A significant factor in my decision was my conversation with the head coach. We talked about my role in the team, and it truly intrigued me. I’m thrilled to be here and ready to embark on this new chapter,” Ofori remarked.

As Slovakian champions, Slovan Bratislava has consistently made its mark in the UEFA Champions League and is set to compete in the tournament again next season. While Ofori gained valuable experience in Europe with Trnava last season, he is looking forward to taking part in elite club competitions for the first time.

“I want to showcase my best performance to the fans and help the team achieve victories and trophies. I believe we can fight for European success again. It would be fantastic to accomplish something special for our fans and the city. I can’t wait for the new season,” he added.

Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu pens new Espérance deal
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu pens new Espérance deal

Tunisian club Espérance Sportive de Tunis has extended Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu’s contract.

The 22-year-old’s old contract was set to end in 2026, but now he will stay with the club until June 2028. This extension shows the club’s strong belief in him as a promising young player for the upcoming season.

Ogbelu is a key player in Espérance’s midfield. Since joining from Nigeria’s Fosla Academy in September 2023, he has made 53 appearances. He has also helped the team win two Tunisian Ligue 1 titles, one Tunisian Cup, and one Tunisian Super Cup.

His most memorable moment came when he scored the winning goal with a powerful shot from outside the box in the Tunisian Cup final against Club Sportif de la Médina de Tunis. This performance established him as a big-game player.

Espérance acted quickly to secure his future due to growing interest from other clubs in Africa and Europe.

Sierra Leone placed in Group C for WAFU U20 Boys tournament in Ghana
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone in Group C for WAFU U20 Boys tournament in Ghana

Sierra Leone’s U20 national football team, the Shooting Stars, has been placed in Group C for the 2025 WAFU A&B U20 Boys Sub-Confederation Tournament. Their group includes Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Benin.

The draw, which took place this morning in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, marks a historic milestone as all thirteen member associations of WAFU A and B will compete together for the first time.

Ghana will host the tournament, scheduled from June 15 to June 30. This competition serves as a qualifier for the next TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations U20.

The Shooting Stars last participated in the WAFU A qualifiers in Monrovia, Liberia, where they achieved their first-ever qualification for the AFCON U20. Now, the Shooting Stars aim to replicate their success on this larger stage.

Nigeria beat Ghana in Unity Cup to set date with Jamaica
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigeria beat Ghana in Unity Cup to set date with Jamaica

Nigeria will face Jamaica in the Unity Cup final on Saturday after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ghana at the Brentford’s GTech Community Stadium.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Challe aimed to use this match, along with the upcoming friendly against Russia, as preparation for World Cup qualifiers.

While Nigeria secured the win, they nearly squandered a two-goal lead in the second half. With key players like Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen rested, Cyriel Dessers capitalized on a rare starting opportunity, scoring the opening goal with help from Ismaila Sodiq’s cross.

Nigeria doubled their lead shortly after when Seyi Ajayi’s header resulted in an own goal.

Ghana fought back, with substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante scoring his first international goal and putting pressure on Nigeria. Despite a valiant effort, including a save from Stanley Nwabali, Nigeria held on for the win.

Jamaica, managed by Steve McClaren, won a thrilling 3-2 match against Trinidad and Tobago, with Richard King scoring a late penalty to seal the victory.

Trinidad and Tobago will also meet Ghana in the third-place playoff on the 31st of May, at the same venue.

Sierra Leone's Mustapha Bundu wins 2024/25 Argyle Goal of the Season
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s Mustapha Bundu offers new Plymouth Argyle contract

Plymouth Argyle has released its retained list for the 2024/25 season, confirming that in-form attacker Mustapha Bundu has been offered a contract for the upcoming season.

“Jordan Houghton, Mustapha Bundu, and Jack Matthews have been offered new contracts by the club.”

Bundu, a Sierra Leone international, has showcased his technical ability and goal-scoring prowess since joining Home Park in 2023, netting 14 goals in 70 appearances for the team.

He was signed from Anderlecht and arrived at the Devon club with notable experience, having played over 100 matches for Danish Superliga team Aarhus GF during a four-year period from 2016 to 2020.

Many expected that following Argyle’s relegation, he would seek greener pastures, potentially finding a club in the Championship or abroad. However, with the confirmation of a contract offer, the likelihood of this happening has decreased.

Simba set for a tough task against Berkane in CAF Confed Cup final
by Football Sierra Leone

Simba set for a tough task against Berkane in CAF Confed Cup final

Simba will face a tough matchup against a Moroccan side at Amaan Stadium at 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Sunday, May 25th. They lost 2-0 to RSB Berkane in the first leg of the 2025 CAF Confederations Cup final last week.

Coach Fadlu Davids and his team are determined to rise to the occasion in the second leg. Goals from Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui provided RSB Berkane with a significant advantage heading into the second leg. David noted that his players felt “overwhelmed” by the situation.

Berkane scores a lot of goals at home in the first 20 minutes due to the pressure. We were tactically prepared but not emotionally ready. My players were a bit overwhelmed by the occasion and the pressure,” Davids said during the post-match press conference after the first leg.

As Simba strives to score in their pursuit of the CAF Confederations Cup title, RSB Berkane’s coach, Mouin Chaâbani, emphasised his team’s aim to secure an away goal to solidify their lead.

“A 2-0 victory in the final is never completely comfortable. It’s just the first leg, and we’ll have to defend our chances until the last second of the return leg. Scoring an away goal can make a huge difference; it’s something we must keep in mind,” Chaâbani stated.

The winners of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup final will receive a brand new trophy.

CAF unveils new revamped TotalEnergies Champions League Trophy
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF unveils new revamped TotalEnergies Champions League Trophy

Today, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) presented the new Champions League trophy in collaboration with TotalEnergies.

The event was held at TotalEnergies’ headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, and was attended by several African football legends, including Lucas Radebe, Teko Modise, and Siphiwe Tshabalala, along with various African football leaders.

One of the two finalists, either Mamelodi Sundowns or Pyramids, will create history by lifting the new trophy.

The official unveiling of this striking new trophy design is more than just a replacement; it signifies a significant evolution of CAF’s commitment to modernization and innovation.

As part of CAF’s broader strategy to rebrand and elevate its competitions, the new design aims to enhance the visual impact of African football’s most prestigious award.

“In line with the vision of CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, we are rebranding and repositioning African football, focusing specifically on interclub competitions at this time,” said CAF General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba.

“This reveal of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League trophy reflects our ambitious goals and steps toward creating a vibrant environment for African club football. With this trophy, we aim to elevate the prestige of African club competitions to global prominence, strengthen our commercial appeal, and inspire a new generation of football talent.

The new trophy draws inspiration from the intense competition and rich cultural heritage of the continent. Featuring sleek silver and gold lines, it symbolizes unity, rivalry, and the competitive spirit that defines the tournament.

At its peak, the golden sphere—adorned with African symbolism—represents the ultimate achievement: victory.

The interplay of contrasting silver and gold elements celebrates both the triumph of champions and the honor of worthy opponents, reinforcing the values of respect, ambition, and excellence that are central to African football.

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi grateful to be alive after surgery
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi grateful to be alive after surgery

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is ‘GRATEFUL’ to still be alive after having surgery for a serious abdominal injury.

The 27-year-old was put in an induced coma after he got hurt when he collided with the post while trying to reach a cross from Anthony Elanga during a game against Leicester.

Awoniyi had emergency surgery and was taken out of the coma on Wednesday evening. Medical staff are now watching his recovery.

Morgan Gibbs-White celebrated his goal in the crucial 2-1 win against West Ham by wearing a shirt with Awoniyi’s name. The team also warmed up in T-shirts bearing his name and number, with the message “we are all with you Taiwo.”

Awoniyi expressed on Instagram, “This season has been one of the most difficult of my career, but I have felt the love. With God’s grace, I am grateful to still be here, still fighting, and in good spirits.”

“Thank you to my teammates, coaches, staff, and the entire Forest family for your support. Your visits during my hospital stay really lifted my spirits. I can’t wait to be back on the field with the team.

The win against West Ham has moved Forest into seventh place, just one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea, whom we will host on the season’s final day, along with Aston Villa, in the tight race for a Champions League spot.”

RS Berkane 2-0 Simba SC
by Football Sierra Leone

RS Berkane win to gain first-leg advantage over Simba SC

The much-anticipated RS Berkane vs Simba SC showdown in the CAF Confederation Cup final lived up to expectations as Moroccan club RS Berkane claimed a crucial 2-0 victory in the first leg at Berkane Municipal Stadium on Saturday.

The match marked the first part of the two-legged Simba SC CAF final journey, where the Tanzanian giants faced a strong and determined RS Berkane side. The win puts RS Berkane on the brink of securing their third continental title.

Strong Start for RS Berkane

RS Berkane dominated from the outset. In the 8th minute, Mamadou Camara opened the scoring with a powerful header from a Hamza El Moussaoui corner. Just six minutes later, Oussama Lamlaoui added a second goal, converting a sharp pass from Imad Riahi to make it RS Berkane 2-0 Simba SC early in the game.

Simba SC’s Missed Opportunities

Despite the early setback, Simba SC created chances to get back into the match. Leonel Ateba and Elie Mpanzu came close to scoring, but RS Berkane’s defense and goalkeeper Hamza Hamiani were solid throughout. Simba’s struggle deepened when midfielder Abdulrazack Hamza exited the match due to injury.

VAR Drama & Late Action

In the second half, RS Berkane had a third goal ruled out by VAR in the 60th minute for offside. Still, they continued to threaten through counterattacks, with Issoufou Dayo and Mateus Santos nearly adding to the scoreline. Simba SC held on, avoiding further damage ahead of the return leg.

Second Leg All to Play For

The second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final is set for Sunday, 25 May at 15:00 GMT, where Simba SC will need to overturn the deficit to win their first continental trophy. Meanwhile, RS Berkane are one step closer to lifting their continental title for the third time.

SLFA President Brima, VP 1 Johnson attend 75th FIFA Congress alongside global leaders
by Football Sierra Leone

SLFA President Brima, VP 1 Johnson attend 75th FIFA Congress alongside global leaders

The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Thomas Daddy Brima, is currently in Asunción, Paraguay, attending the 75th FIFA Congress. He is joined by Vice President Harold Nat-Johnson and Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh.

This congress marks a significant moment in global football, as it celebrates FIFA’s 75th anniversary and welcomes leaders from all 211 member associations. It is the highest decision-making body in world football and sets the direction for the future of the game.

SLFA at 75th FIFA Congress: Strengthening Global Football Ties

The SLFA delegation is using the opportunity to engage with international football executives, explore partnerships, and advocate for football development in Sierra Leone. Their presence reaffirms the association’s commitment to good governance, collaboration, and investment in the local game.

“I am excited to have participated in the 75th FIFA Congress with my Vice President Harold Nat-Johnson and Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh,” said President Brima.

“This event focuses on key discussions shaping the future of football. We thank FIFA for its continued support and reaffirm SLFA’s dedication to being a respected voice in global football.”

Highlights from the 75th FIFA Congress

One major announcement was the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which will take place in Miami, beginning on June 14. The tournament will feature 32 clubs and offer a prize pool of USD 1 billion, with an additional solidarity fund for non-participating teams. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that all revenue will be reinvested into football to benefit clubs worldwide. He thanked global stakeholders for their contribution to making this event possible. The participation of the SLFA at 75th FIFA Congress marks a major step in strengthening Sierra Leone’s voice and presence in global football discussions.

The congress also discussed the ongoing implementation of the Global Stand Against Racism, which was approved during the previous FIFA Congress.

By attending this global gathering, SLFA leaders are ensuring Sierra Leone continues to grow within the international football community—both on and off the pitch.

The FIFA Congress is the top decision-making body for world football, bringing together representatives from all 211 member associations.
The FIFA Congress is the top decision-making body for world football, bringing together representatives from all 211 member associations.