Author: Football Sierra Leone

Points shared between JS Kabyile and AS FAR in Inter Club tie
by Football Sierra Leone

Points shared between JS Kabyile and AS FAR in Inter Club tie

JS Kabylie and AS FAR finished their match with no goals on Saturday evening at the Martyr Hussein Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou.

It was a tough match in Group B of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. Aymen Mahious and Riyad Bouddebouz tried to put pressure on the Moroccan defense, but AS FAR stayed strong and organized.

AS FAR’s best chance came from Zakaria Hadraf, who faced goalkeeper Gaïa Merbah one-on-one in the 27th minute. However, Merbah made a crucial save.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams looking for chances but unable to score.

In the 55th minute, Bouddebouz took a powerful shot, but AS FAR’s goalkeeper El Khayati made another good save. The match ended without a winner. Both teams now face pressure to improve in their upcoming games to keep their chances of qualifying alive.

African Champions League resumes on Friday as Al Ahly ready for action
by Football Sierra Leone

African Champions League resumes on Friday as Al Ahly ready for action

The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League kicks off with an exciting opening day on Friday, as record champions Al Ahly take on Tanzania’s Young Africans in Cairo.

Later that day, South African powerhouses Mamelodi Sundowns host Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman in Pretoria, a match expected to have a significant impact on the standings in Group C as the campaign reaches its midpoint.

The weekend also features other key matchups, including a high-stakes Group A encounter on Saturday between RS Berkane and title holders Pyramids FC.

Throughout Saturday and Sunday, teams will be vying for dominance in their groups, striving to build on strong starts or reignite their hopes of qualification.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League fixtures (All times GMT)

Group A – Saturday, 24 January

13:00 — Power Dynamos FC (ZAM) vs Rivers United FC (NGA)

19:00 — RS Berkane (MAR) vs Pyramids FC (EGY)

Group B – Friday, 23 January

16:00 — Al Ahly SC (EGY) vs Young Africans SC (TAN)

Saturday, 24 January

16:00 — JS Kabylie (ALG) vs AS FAR Rabat (MAR)

Group C – Friday, 23 January

18:00 — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (RSA) vs Al Hilal Omdurman (SUD)

Sunday, 25 January

13:00 — St Éloi Lupopo (DRC) vs MC Alger (ALG)

Group D – Saturday, 24 January

16:00 — Espérance de Tunis (TUN) vs Simba SC (TAN)

Sunday, 25 January

16:00 — Stade Malien (MLI) vs Petro Atlético (ANG)

Mama Sow's on Senegal skipper Sadio Mane's last AFCON
by Football Sierra Leone

Mama Sow on Senegal skipper Sadio Mane’s last AFCON

A former technical director of the Senegal national team has expressed a different viewpoint from those encouraging Sadio Mané to rethink his decision to retire from international football.

Sadio Mané’s retirement discussions are gaining attention after he led Senegal’s national team, the Teranga Lions, to win their second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, defeating Morocco 1-0.

Mama Sow, who was Senegal’s technical director from 2000 to 2006, has weighed in on Mané’s future with the national team.

Sow said, “I completely understand his decision. Sadio Mané has given everything to Senegal. Beyond football, he is a true patriot. If he says this is his last final, it means his body has spoken.” He believes Mané may be considering retirement due to the high demands of professional football.

Mané, a former Liverpool FC star, has announced his plans to retire from international football after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June.

He hinted at his retirement before the tournament in Morocco and confirmed it after winning the title on Sunday. In an interview with beIN Sports, Mané stated, “I will try to play in the 2026 World Cup and then I will retire from international football.”

He also praised the Saudi Pro League, saying it is very competitive and one of the best leagues in the world. Mané was named the AFCON 2025 Man of the Competition, winning this award for the second time in his international career, after winning it in 2021.

New CAF coaching requirements for National teams and Clubs football
by Football Sierra Leone

FIFA’s Infantino condemns as CAF reviews footage of Senegal players and officials

FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the behavior of Senegal players and coaching staff following the chaotic end of the Africa Cup of Nations final.

He emphasised that violence and walk-offs have no place in football and stressed the importance of respecting match officials’ decisions.

The final, in which Senegal won 1-0 against Morocco, was marred by a disputed penalty that led to player protests and halted play.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced it would review footage of the incident and pursue disciplinary actions against those responsible for the unacceptable behaviour.

Sierra Leone's Kallum Cesay nets winner in five-goal thriller
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s Kallum Cesay nets winner in five-goal thriller

Kallum Cesay scored his fourth and the winning goal in a thrilling match, helping Salford equal points with Swindon.

Ryan Graydon nearly scored first with a header, but missed the target from Luke Garbutt’s cross. In the 24th minute, Oliver Turton scored for Salford with a header from Garbutt’s corner.

Seven minutes later, Graydon set up Kelly N’Mai in the box, who scored to make it 2-0. Swindon responded with Joel McGregor heading the ball in at the far post to cut the lead. Salford’s Jorge Grant then hit the crossbar with an inswinging corner.

Graydon missed a chance to score again when Connor Ripley made a mistake while trying to clear the ball. After halftime, Matthew Young saved a shot from Gavin Kilkenny from outside the box.

Salford made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute when Daniel Udoh passed the ball to Cesay, who scored. Aaron Drinan scored a header for Town from a cross by Fletcher Holman, giving them hope, but Salford held on to win.

Striker Daniel Kanu scores as Walsall chase promotion
by Football Sierra Leone

Striker Daniel Kanu scores as Walsall chase promotion

Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu was among the goals as Walsall kept their hopes for automatic promotion alive with a solid victory over Tranmere on Saturday.

Goals from Priestley Farquharson, Daniel Kanu, and Jamille Matt ended a streak of four straight defeats for Walsall. Meanwhile, Tranmere, who scored a late goal through Joe Ironside, faced their third home loss in a row.

The game started well for Walsall, with Matt’s header from Farquharson’s long throw aimed right at Tranmere’s goalkeeper, Jack Barrett, just two minutes in.

Tranmere’s best chance in the first half came from Ethan Bristow, who shot wide from a tight angle after being set up by Connor Jennings.

Walsall took the lead in the 37th minute when Farquharson outjumped everyone to head in Evan Weir’s corner kick.

They doubled their lead just before halftime when Kanu took advantage of a defensive mistake, rounded Barrett, and easily scored into an empty net.

Walsall secured the win in the 66th minute when Matt headed in a perfect cross from Aden Flint. Ironside scored a consolation goal for Tranmere in the 90th minute.

Midfielder John Bilili Sesay joins Bray Wanderers FC in Ireland
by Football Sierra Leone

Midfielder John Bilili Sesay joins Bray Wanderers FC in Ireland

Sierra Leone Premier League team Bhantal FC has announced that midfielder John Bilili Sesay has joined Bray Wanderers FC in Ireland ahead of the 2026 season. 

“We are excited to share that John Bilili Sesay has officially joined Bray Wanderers FC in Ireland! John is a talented midfielder who will play in the League of Ireland First Division.

Thank you, John, for representing Bhantal FC so well. We wish you the best in this new chapter!”

The 18-year-old, who is highly rated, comes from Bhantal FC and has already played in Sierra Leone’s World Cup qualifying matches.

Nicknamed ‘The Seagulls’, the Irish football team that competes in the League of Ireland First Division. The club, as we know it today, was established in 1942 in Bray and was previously called Bray Wanderers A.F.C. until 2010.

Sadio Mane's powerful strike fires Senegal to AFCON 2025 final
by Football Sierra Leone

Sadio Mane’s powerful strike fires Senegal to AFCON 2025 final

Senegal reached the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by beating Egypt 1-0 in the semi-final at the Tangier Grand Stadium on Wednesday.

Their strong dominance continues against Egypt, with Sadio Mane scoring the winning goal that sends them to this year’s AFCON final.

This marks the fourth time Senegal has reached the final of this tournament. They are currently on a 17-match unbeaten streak in the Africa Cup of Nations. This is the second-longest streak in the tournament’s history, after Egypt’s 24-match streak from 2004 to 2017.

Sadio Mane has been involved in 11 goals and 9 assists in the Africa Cup of Nations, setting a record for the tournament in the 21st century. Senegal has qualified for the final in 3 of the last 4 editions of the tournament.

In their last 28 matches in the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal has kept a clean sheet 19 times. The Senegalese team has never lost a game in which Sadio Mane scored, with a record of 38 wins and 6 draws.

Sadio Mané iwas name the TotalEnergies Man of the Match
Sadio Mané iwas name the TotalEnergies Man of the Match
Côte d’Ivoire coach Émerse Faé is disappointed after the defeat to Egypt
by Football Sierra Leone

Côte d’Ivoire coach Émerse Faé is disappointed after the defeat to Egypt

Émerse Fae, the coach of Côte d’Ivoire, expressed his frustration after their 3-2 loss to Egypt in the 2025 Cup of Nations quarter-finals. He lamented the mistakes made at crucial moments and the early goals conceded, which put them at a disadvantage.

Mohamed Salah was pivotal for Egypt, scoring and assisting in their dramatic victory. Omar Marmoush opened the scoring early, and Ramy Rabia doubled the lead with a header from a Salah corner. Côte d’Ivoire managed to pull one back just before halftime with an own goal by Fatouh.

After the break, Salah scored again, extending Egypt’s lead to 3-1. Guéla Doué pulled one back for Côte d’Ivoire, but despite their attacking efforts, they couldn’t find an equaliser.

“We are frustrated by tonight’s result. We prepared well to face the Egyptian team, but we made too many mistakes at crucial moments. Those mistakes hurt us the most.

We took time to get into the match. I regret conceding the first goal so early, and the second one too. We reacted well and got back to 2-1 before halftime, but the third goal put us in trouble. It’s tough to explain these lapses in concentration. We will keep working to prepare for the World Cup.”

Salah, named Man of the Match, praised his teammates and highlighted their determination. Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, emphasised their strategy and preparation against the defending champions, expressing pride in their performance despite some mistakes.

Blockbuster AFCON 2025 quarter-finals line up confirmed
by Football Sierra Leone

High-profile Cup of Nations quarter-finals line-up confirmed

The quarterfinal lineup for the Africa Cup of Nations was finalized on Tuesday. Algeria and the defending champion, Ivory Coast, secured the last spots.

Algeria won 1-0 against Congo thanks to a great goal from Adil Boulbina in extra time. Ivory Coast advanced with a 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso, with both Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande scoring and assisting each other. Bazoumana Touré completed the Elephants’ win.

Next, the Ivory Coast will play Egypt in Agadir on Saturday, while Algeria faces Nigeria in Marrakech.

On Friday, Mali will take on Senegal, the 2021 winner, in the first quarterfinal in Tangier. Meanwhile, host nation Morocco will play five-time winner Cameroon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which holds nearly 70,000 fans.

The winner here will also compete in the semifinal and final on January 18 if they advance.

The winner of Morocco’s match against Cameroon will meet the winner of Algeria vs. Nigeria on January 14. The other semifinal will feature the winners of Mali vs. Senegal and Egypt vs. Ivory Coast, and it will take place in Tangier earlier that same day.