Author: Football Sierra Leone

Ram Kamara FC record first win in WAFU A CAF Champions League qualifiers
by Football Sierra Leone

Ram Kamara FC record first win in WAFU A women’s Champions League qualifiers

On Friday, Sierra Leone’s reigning Women’s Premier League champions, RAM Kamara FC, proudly recorded their first victory against the Malian squad USFAS on their debut trip in the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU A qualifiers now taking place in Senegal.

Under the brilliant lights of the Annexe Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, their Malian opponents fought vehemently, but Ram Kamara demonstrated why they are the winners from Sierra Leone.

Mariam Jumu’s one goal in their second tournament helped them to get top points. She was named Women of the Match –  Four points were earned from two games as a result of their opoening draw with Liberian side Determin Girls on Tuesday.

As a result, they secured four points from two games after their opoening draw with Liberian side Determin Girls on Tuesday.

Their next match is against Berewuleng FC on Monday at the same veunue. Meanwhile, Berewulend FC suffered a 2-1 opening defeat to Aigles Medina on Friday

Ram Kamara's Mariam Jumu was named Women of the Match
Ram Kamara's Mariam Jumu was named Women of the Match
Egyptian side ZED FC Signs Sierra Leonean defender Amara Keita
by Football Sierra Leone

Egyptian side Zed FC sign Sierra Leonean defender Amara Keita

August 7, 2025 — Cairo, Egypt —Highlyrated Sierra Leonean defender Amara Keita from SLIFA FC has officially signed for Egyptian Premier League big players ZED FC. (ZedFc Photo)

Keita is well-known for his defensive leadership, exact tackling, and intimidating presence. As ZED FC gets ready for a much anticipated season, he adds toughness, calm, and experience to their backline; he was instrumental in SLIFA’s defence during the Sierra Leone Premier League.

“This is a proud moment for me,” Keita said during the unveiling. “I’m ready to give my all for this club and to represent Sierra Leone at the highest level.”

Official ZED FC lauded Keita, calling him “a defender who combines intelligence with physicality — precisely the kind of player we require to contend for honors.”

His agreement is another major milestone for Sierra Leonean football, drawing attention to the country’s increasing reputation for producing top players.

Keita was a member of the Sierra Leone U20 team that captured many across Africa during the U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt.

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/1953716380617842970

by Football Sierra Leone

Ram Kamara and Determine Girls share opening spoils

On Tuesday, Sierra Leone’s RAM Kamara FC, the reigning champions of the Women’s Premier League, proudly embarked on their inaugural journey in the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU A qualifiers, currently underway in Senegal.

Under the bright lights of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, a fiercely contested clash unfolded against Liberia’s Determined Girls FC, culminating in a hard-fought goalless draw.

Despite the stalemate, Diatta Langama of the Determine Girls shone brightly with her remarkable performance, earning the coveted Woman of the Match award.

Earlier in the day, in an exhilarating opener of the qualifying rounds, USFAS emerged triumphant by besting Aigles de la Medina with a commanding score of 2-0, setting the stage for thrilling competition ahead.

Ram Kamara FC’s next match is against USFAS Bamako as Aigles de la Medina take on Berewulend FC at the same venue on Friday.

Guinea fend off Niger to begin CHAN 2024 with a win
by Football Sierra Leone

Guinea fend off Niger to begin CHAN 2024 with a win

At the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Guinea opened their 2024 CHAN campaign with a 1-0 victory over Niger.

Just two minutes after halftime, Mohamed Bangoura II’s second-half goal following a VAR review was his only one.

Both sides played with a physical approach and carefulness, which resulted in a chaotic first half with little obvious chances. Although Niger tried to equalize, including a near miss from replacement AbdoulLatif Goumey, Guinea’s defense held firm.

This victory puts Guinea in a good position inside Group C, while Niger struggles in their tournament after a dismal beginning.

Uganda, Algeria, and South Africa are among the group’s hosts as well.It was a frustrating beginning for Niger’s fifth CHAN participation, particularly after a promising fourth-place performance in 2022.

Coach Harouna Doula are now fighting an uphill struggle to preserve their hopes for a quarterfinal. On the other hand, Guinea would seek to gather steam in pursuit of another strong tournament showing.

Kenya beat two-time champions DR Congo in CHAN opener
by Football Sierra Leone

Kenya beat two-time champions DR Congo in CHAN opener

On Sunday at a sold-out Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, Kenya marked their long-awaited premiere at the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a remarkable 1-0 victory over two-time champions DR Congo.

In a close opening Group A match, Austin Odhiambo’s first-half goal turned out to be the deciding element.Though their initial nervousness, the hosts confidently declared their presence on the continental stage before a packed audience of 60,000 supporters.

Giving a stage for budding local talent to shine—and Kenya’s fresh generation did not disappoint—the TotalEnergies CHAN is a biennial competition only for participants in their own country’s domestic leagues.

The game began with a disallowed goal for DR Congo due to offside in the fifth minute. Kenya took control, and just before halftime, Odhiambo scored from a pass by David Sakwa, giving Kenya a 1-0 lead in their CHAN final debut.

In the second half, DR Congo pressed for an equalizer, but Kenya’s defense, led by goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, held strong, with critical saves and effective clearances. Coach Benni McCarthy made tactical changes to secure the lead in the final minutes.

Despite seven minutes of stoppage time causing anxiety, Kenya clinched their historic first CHAN win. This victory marked them as the third debuting country to win their first game in the competition. DR Congo extended their winless streak to five games and will face Morocco next, while Kenya prepares to play Angola on Thursday.

Tanzania's Taifa Stars open CHAN campaign with a win over Burkina Faso
by Football Sierra Leone

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars open CHAN campaign with a win over Burkina Faso

Starting the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) cohost Tanzania with a powerful effort, defeated Burkina Faso 2-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday evening.

Just before halftime, Abdul Sopu scored a penalty, giving the Taifa Stars a ten lead. Zimbwe Jr. added a second goal in the 71st minute, helping Tanzania win the game and early lead in fiveteam Group B.

Coach Hemed Morocco’s team had not won their first match in the tournament during the 2009 and 2020 editions, but they started off well in Dar es Salaam. With early goal attempts, Clement Mzize and Feisal Salum both challenged Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper, Ladji Sanou.

With Souleymane Sangare and Papus Ouattara generating possibilities and putting Tanzania’s goalie Yakoub Suleiman under counterattacks to the test, Burkina Faso also had their opportunities.

Just before the break, Tanzania had a golden chance to score when Frank Tologo fouled Mzize in the box.Opening the Tanzanian scoring, Sopu took the penalty and sent Sanou the wrong way.

Tanzania kept applying pressure in the second half, which led to their second goal in the 71st minute. Zimbwe Jr. headed Mudathir Yahya’s cross to raise their advantage to 20.

Burkina Faso pressed forward in the last minutes of the match in search of a comeback.Tertius Bagre and Ouattara both battled to find their composure in important moments, therefore enabling the Taifa Stars to hold on to their advantage and claim victory.

Tanzania’s upcoming challenge is against Mauritania on August 6th, followed by a match with Madagascar on August 9th. They will conclude their group campaign with a game against the Central African Republic on August 16th.

Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda are co-hosting the CHAN finals, which feature 19 nations divided into four groups.

Moroccan forward Zakaria Aboukhlal pens move to Torino
by Football Sierra Leone

Moroccan forward Zakaria Aboukhlal pens move to Torino

Morocco national team forward Zakaria Aboukhlal has transferred to Italy’s Serie A side Torino on a four-year contract and aims to improve Torino’s attack, which struggled last season.

Torino announced the signing of Aboukhlal, 25, on Tuesday after bringing him in from Toulouse, a club in France, for €8.5 million.

They finished 11th in the 2024-25 Serie A season, scoring only 39 goals in 38 matches. Aboukhlal, who started his career at PSV, is a versatile forward known for his ability to play on either wing. His best season was in 2022-23, where he scored 10 goals and provided 5 assists in 37 matches for Toulouse.

He is skilled, quick, and strong on the ball, which gives Torino manager Marco Baroni several options to boost the team’s offense. Aboukhlal will compete for playing time with players like Ché Adams, Antonio Sanabria, and returning Colombian Duván Zapata. His versatility can help complement the team’s other goal scorers.

Before the season starts, Torino will play friendly matches against AS Monaco and Valencia. They will begin their season with a Coppa Italia game against Serie B club Modena on August 18.

Super Falcons of Nigeria fight back from two goals down to WAFCON 2024 holders
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigeria fight back from two goals down to WAFCON 2024 holders

Nigeria won their tenth TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title by defeating Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic comeback.

The match took place at the Stade Olympique in Rabat. Trailing 2-0 at halftime, Nigeria’s Super Falcons rallied in the second half, with goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and a late winner by Joe Echegini.

Morocco initially took the lead with goals from Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaâ Mssoudy before Nigeria’s comeback, sparked by a penalty awarded after a VAR review for a handball by Nouhaila Benzina.

Momentum shifted to Nigeria when Okoro provided a key pass to Ijamilusi in the 71st minute, who equalised with a left-footed shot.

The Super Falcons secured their victory just before extra time, as Esther Okoronkwo assisted Joe Echegini, who scored in the 88th minute. Despite late pressure from Morocco, Nigeria held strong during stoppage time.

This win marked Nigeria’s 10th African championship in 13 editions, reinforcing their dominance in African women’s football and sending a clear message that they remain the team to beat.

Ghana beat South Africa on penalties to clinch WAFCON bronze
by Football Sierra Leone

Ghana beat South Africa on penalties to clinch WAFCON bronze

In a thrilling penalty shootout, Ghana demonstrated remarkable composure to overcome South Africa and secure the bronze medal in Casablanca on Friday evening at the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Following a tense 11 draw in regulation time, the Black Queens won 43 in the shootout at Stade Larbi Zaouli. This game provided a fitting conclusion to a feud defined by tightly fought fights at WAFCON.

Ghana not only avenged their 20 defeat in the group stage but also repeated their bronze medal achievement from 2016 against the same team. Through Nonhlanhla Mthandi, South Africa took the lead right before halftime, whose goal showed off a fantastic first half.

But after the break, Ghana woke and tied in the 68th minute as a result of a defensive blunder that caused Andile Dlamini, the goalkeeper for South Africa, to score.

Late in regulation, both sides had opportunities to win it; Evelyn Badu of Ghana hit the crossbar, and South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo forced a critical save from Ghana’s Cynthia Konlan.

The game went to penalties with the score tied, where Konlan came out as the hero with crucial saves against Hildah Magaia and Sibulele Holweni. Confidently converted their penalties were Ghana’s Alice Kusi, Josephine Bonsu, Jennifer Cudjoe, and Nancy Amoh.

Though Jermaine Seoposenwe and Linda Motlhalo found the net for South Africa, they fell short, leaving Morocco empty-handed after their dismal exit.

Having started as underdogs and finished with evidence of their comeback, Kim Björkegren’s Black Queens had a great comeback in this tournament. Meanwhile, South Africa’s loss hurts as they try to rebuild with a younger team for the following cycle.

Ghana’s players and staff celebrated as the final whistle blew, pride reclaimed and revenge exquisitely delivered.

Alice Kusi was named the Woman of the Match after an impressive performance to secure third place.

Ghana beat South Africa on penalties to clinch WAFCON bronze
Ghana beat South Africa on penalties to clinch WAFCON bronze
Coach Benni McCarthy Names Harambee Squad for CHAN Tournament
by Football Sierra Leone

Coach Benni McCarthy Names Harambee Squad for CHAN Tournament

HarambHarambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has announced a 25-man squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to take place from August 2, 2025, in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The squad includes experienced goalkeepers Faruk Shikhalo, Sebastian Wekesa, and Byrne Omondi. The defense features a mix of seasoned players and young talent, including captain Abud Omar and debutants Swaleh Pamba and Kevin Okumu.

In midfield, notable players include Brian Musa and Alpha Onyango, while the attack will be led by Masoud Juma.

The team will be captained by Abud Omar, with support from Daniel Sakari and Alphonce Omija. McCarthy expressed confidence in the team’s preparations.

Kenya is grouped with DR Congo, Angola, Morocco, and Zambia, beginning their campaign on August 3, 2025, against DR Congo at Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani, aiming to leverage home support for a strong performance in the tournament.

Kenya Listed CHAN 2024 Squad

Goal Keepers

Faruk Shikhalo, Byrne Omondi, Sebastian Wekesa

Defenders

Siraj Mohammed, Manzur Suleiman, Pamba Swaleh, Abud Omar, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Mike Kibwage, Daniel Sakari, Lewis Bandi, Kevin Okumu

Midfielders

Brian Musa, Alpha Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire

Fowards

Mohammed Bajaber, Boniface Muchiri, David Sakwa, Ryan Ogam, Masoud Juma, Austin Odongo, Felix Oluoch