Author: Football Sierra Leone

Cameroon book Women's World Cup 2027 spot after win over Nigeria
by Football Sierra Leone

Manga bags a brace as Cameroon edge Mali in a highly entertaining duel

Ngah Manga scored twice to lead Cameroon to a 2-1 victory over Mali in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Group D match in Casablanca on Thursday.

With this win, Cameroon improved its record against Mali to four wins and one draw in their last five encounters.

Manga opened the scoring in the 14th minute. She controlled a high pass and finished neatly to put Cameroon ahead. Mali equalised in the 30th minute when Cameroonian goalkeeper Michaely Bihina fouled Aïssata Traoré. Traoré converted the penalty, making it 1-1.

The first half saw both teams create chances but remain tied. In the 72nd minute, Cameroon regained the lead after a VAR review awarded them a penalty, which Manga converted for her second goal.

Mali pushed for another equaliser, but Cameroon defended well. The best late chance came from Mali’s Fatoumata Diarra, whose shot lacked power and was easily saved by Bihina.

This victory solidifies Cameroon’s strong history against Mali.

Cameroon is participating in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the 13th time, having played in every edition since 1998 except for the last tournament.

Next up, Cameroon will face Ghana, while Mali will hope to bounce back against Cape Verde.

Sierra Leone's Emmanuel Samadia extends Hartford contract
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s Emmanuel Samadia extends Hartford contract

Hartford Athletic has extended midfielder Emmanuel Samadia’s contract for two years, starting after the 2026 season.

Samadia has played in six matches as a starter this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist. He has also made five clearances and four takeaways on defence.

General Manager and Head Coach Brendan Burke praised Samadia for his hard work and skill. He noted that Samadia is a key player for both Hartford Athletic and the national team of Sierra Leone. Burke expressed happiness about Samadia’s continued commitment to the team as they work to keep their core group together.

Since joining Hartford two seasons ago, Samadia has recorded eight assists in 41 starts in the USL Championship. He was an important player when Hartford won the Jägermeister Cup in 2025. Samadia has been part of Sierra Leone’s national team since he was 18, starting in 2020.

Banda scores four times as Zambia Thrash Egypt, Malawi stun Nigeria
by Football Sierra Leone

Banda scores four times as Zambia Thrash Egypt, Malawi stun Nigeria

Zambia’s women’s soccer team began their 2026 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a strong 6-0 win over Egypt in Rabat. Barbra Banda starred in the match, scoring four goals, including two in just three minutes after half-time.

Rachel Nachula put Zambia ahead with a penalty in the 25th minute. Banda scored her first penalty in the 60th minute, then added another goal shortly after to make it 3-0.

She completed her hat-trick with a goal in the 87th minute. Substitute Eneless Phiri contributed Zambia’s fifth goal in stoppage time, and Banda finished the scoring in the 96th minute.

This result is a great start for Zambia as they aim for their first Women’s AFCON title.

Elsewhere, Malawi defeated Nigeria 3-2 as they produced one of the biggest shocks in TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history by beating record champions in their Group C opener on Tuesday night.

The Scorchers, playing their first match at the continental finals, stunned the 10-time champions with three second-half goals at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.

by Football Sierra Leone

Striker Abu Kamara nets for Hull City in pre-season friendly

Hull City defeated Turkish side Konyaspor 3-0 in a pre-season friendly at Aluminij Sports Park. Enis Destan scored a header, there was an own goal from Konyaspor, and Abu Kamara added another goal.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland, a new signing, made a crucial save early in the match. Nathan Tinsdale, who replaced an injured player, assisted Destan’s goal at the 28-minute mark. Destan was substituted shortly after for Mason Burstow. Konyaspor almost equalised with a shot saved by Butland, and Paddy McNair blocked the rebound.

At half-time, coach Sergej Jakirović made two changes, bringing in Dillon Phillips and Ryan Giles. Giles assisted the second goal when Konyaspor’s goalkeeper deflected a cross into his own player.

City scored a third goal when Millar set up Kamara in the 73rd minute. McBurnie also scored late in the game, but the goal was disallowed for a foul.

Hull City: Butland (Phillips 46’); Drameh (Coyle 60’), McNair (Ajayi 60’), McCarthy (Egan 60’), Jacob (Giles 46’ (Okike 79’)); Zambrano (Slater 60’), Gyabi (Crooks 60’), Ömür (Tinsdale 22’ (Dowell 60’)); Kamara (Silk 75’), Destan (Burstow 32’ (McBurnie 60’)), Akintola (Millar 60’).

by Football Sierra Leone

Ghana’s Abdul Fatawu delighted after Ipswich Town move

Ghanaian winger Abdul Fatawu has expressed delight after he signed for Ipswich Town from Leicester City ahead of the new season. Fatawu, 22, joined Town for an undisclosed fee and signed a five-year contract running until 2031.

Abdul made an impression at the FIFA World Cup this summer, participating in all four of Ghana’s matches, including one against England, and has a total of 32 caps with three goals for his country.

His career includes Champions League experience with Sporting in Portugal and a successful spell at Leicester, where he netted nine goals in 44 appearances last season. Abdul will join his new teammates at a training camp in La Manga, Spain, this week.

“I’m proud to be with Ipswich Town,” Abdul said. “The club’s ambition is exciting, and I’m eager to contribute to our Premier League preparations. After speaking with the manager, Gary O’Neil, I understand the expectations and can’t wait to meet my teammates and start working. The supporters are incredibly passionate, and I’m excited to play for them.”

Manager Gary O’Neil expressed enthusiasm about the signing, noting, “Abdul is a young player with good experience. He has strong physical and technical qualities, is comfortable on the ball, and can excel in one-on-one situations.”

Born in Tamale, Ghana, Abdul began with Steadfast before moving to Dreams FC in the Ghanaian Premier Division in 2021. His performances earned him a transfer to Sporting, followed by a loan to Leicester, where he contributed to their Championship victory and promotion to the Premier League, winning the club’s Young Player of the Year award.

In international play, he was named Player of the Tournament during the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in March 2021 and made his senior debut later that year. He represented Ghana at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and recently played in all four matches in North America.