Category: Sport News

Yayah Kallon was pleased with his Sierra Leone debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Yayah Kallon was pleased with his Sierra Leone debut

After a long wait for his documentation, Yayah Kallon finally debuted for Sierra Leone in a friendly match against Azerbaijan on Monday.

The game took place at the Mehdi Hüseynzadə Stadium in Sumqayıt. After 90 minutes of play, the match ended in a 1–1 draw. Azerbaijan won 9-8 in the penalty shootout.

Kallon, who plays for Casertana, took part in the entire match. He played in the left-back position but also spent time attacking down the left wing, causing problems for the home team.

“I am happy after this long wait, and I look forward to being back with the team,” Kallon told the media.

“I had a good experience and really enjoyed my time. I played as a left back, even though it is not my original position, but I am glad to help the team. Hopefully, together we can take the Leone Stars where we want to be.”

Club Football

In 2018, Kallon signed with Savona, a team in Serie D, after trying out for Virtus Entella in Serie C. He made his debut for Genoa on 22 May 2021, helping them win 1–0 against Cagliari in Serie A. On 13 August 2021,

Kallon scored his first goal for Genoa in a 3–2 victory over Perugia in the Coppa Italia.

On 26 August 2022, Kallon was loaned to Hellas Verona, with an option and a conditional obligation to buy. On 10 January 2024, he moved on loan to Bari. On 30 July 2024, he was loaned by Salernitana.

On 3 February 2025, Kallon joined Casertana on loan. He returned to Casertana permanently on 14 August 2025.

Yayah Kallon was pleased with his Sierra Leone debut
Yayah Kallon was pleased with his Sierra Leone debut
Burundi and Ethiopia progress to Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burundi and Ethiopia progress to Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers

Burundi and Ethiopia secured spots in the next round of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers with strong performances on Tuesday.

Burundi defeated Chad 4-0, winning 8-0 On aggregate, while Ethiopia beat Sao Tome and Principe 1-0, advancing with a 4-0 aggregate score.

Burundi’s Strong Win Over Chad  

Burundi dominated Chad, following their 4-0 win in the first leg. They took control early, with Bienvenue Kanakimana scoring twice in the first half. Justin Girumugisha added a goal in the 70th minute, and Abdoul Karim scored the final goal. Burundi’s performance ensured its advancement to the next stage.

Ethiopia’s Solid Win at Home

Ethiopia continued their strong form with a 1-0 win at home, having already won 3-0 in the first leg. Chernet Gugsaa scored early, sealing Sao Tome’s hopes of a comeback. Ethiopia managed the match well, keeping their opponents at bay.

Looking Ahead

Both teams capitalised on their first-leg advantages, allowing them to play confidently in the second matches. Moving on is a significant step toward reaching the AFCON 2027 finals, hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. With improved performances, both teams aim to carry their momentum into the tougher rounds ahead.

DR Congo picks up Africa's final 2026 World Cup spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

DR Congo pick up Africa’s final 2026 World Cup spot

After 52 years since their last World Cup participation as Zaire in the 1974 finals in West Germany, where they fell to Scotland, Yugoslavia, and Brazil, the central African country is set to make their return.

In an intercontinental playoff going to extra time, the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Jamaica 1–0 on Tuesday.

From a corner in the 100th minute, Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe scored the game-winning goal, hence guaranteeing Congo’s place in Group K against Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.

Having eliminated African powerhouses Nigeria and Cameroon to get to this playoff in Mexico, the Leopards’ path to the World Cup has been spectacular.

Though DR Congo dominated possession throughout the game versus Jamaica and battled to breach a strong defence, an early goal was disallowed for offside, and despite the continued threat of Cedric Bakambu, Jamaica had only one significant opportunity.

Tuanzebe finally found the net in extra time following a few near misses, giving Congo the lead and a historic return to the World Cup.

Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Sierra Leone debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Sierra Leone debut

Mamadou Wurie, the young goalkeeper currently playing for Finnish club VPS in the Veikkausliiga, has made his international debut with Sierra Leone.

“First of all, thank you to Coach Kallon, the staff and my teammates for the trust and support. I really appreciate it. Proud to make my debut for Sierra Leone. It has always been a dream to wear this shirt. Of course, not the performance I wanted; I take full responsibility for that moment.
But I learn and grow, and I come back stronger. This is just the beginning,” Jalloh shared with this medium.

Jalloh was included in the starting eleven for the Leone Stars in a penalty shootout defeat against Azerbaijan on Tuesday.

Sierra Leone got off to a strong start, with Danile Kanu scoring to put the visitors ahead. However, the home team equalised, taking the match into penalties after 90 minutes.

Wurie played the entire match and was happy with his contribution. He shared on Instagram, “Hard lesson, but a big moment. A debut with Sierra Leone.”

“First of all, thank you to Coach Kallon, the staff and my teammates for the trust and support. I really appreciate it. Proud to make my debut for Sierra Leone. It has always been a dream to wear this shirt. Of course, not the performance I wanted; I take full responsibility for that moment. But I learn and grow, and I come back stronger. This is just the beginning,” Jalloh shared with this medium.

Nineteen-year-old Jalloh was the first-choice keeper for the Sierra Leone U20 team during the Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt, where they were eliminated by Morocco in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 in Cairo.

Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Sierra Leone debut
Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Sierra Leone debut
Ghana start new search for head coach ahead of World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana start new search for head coach ahead of World Cup

Ghana is set to welcome a new coach for the upcoming World Cup in June after parting ways with Otto Ado following their disappointing 2-1 loss to Germany.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) have announced that Otto Addo will be stepping down.

The Hamburg-born former Bundesliga player has led the Ghanaian national team for the past two years. Unfortunately, the defeat in Stuttgart marked the fourth consecutive loss for the “Black Stars.”

As of now, it remains unclear who will take the helm after the 50-year-old Addo. Ghana’s group stage opponents in the World Cup will include England, Croatia, and Panama.

Azerbaijan defeat Sierra Leone in FIFA series friendly on penalties
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Azerbaijan defeat Sierra Leone in FIFA series friendly on penalties

At the Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionu in Sumqayıt, host Azerbaijan won 9-8 on penalties after battling to a 1–1 draw over 90 minutes with Sierra Leone in an international friendly on March 30, 2026.

Forward Daniel Kanu put Sierra Leone ahead with a composed finish, assisted by Barnet player Idriss Kanu, marking an important moment for the young striker on the international stage.

Azerbaijan responded later in the match, equalising through Rahil Mammadov to ensure both sides shared the spoils. The contest was competitive, with both teams creating chances and testing each other’s defences throughout.

Several players made their debut, including Mamadou Wurie, a young goalkeeper currently with VPS in Finland’s Veikkausliiga. Yayah Kallon plays in Italy’s Serie C with Casertana FC, and former U20 defender Alpha Kabia is with Minnesota 2 in the USA.

The result reflects a balanced encounter and provides valuable experience for both squads as they continue preparations for upcoming international competitions and future fixtures.

Azerbaijan defeat Sierra Leone in FIFA series friendly on penalties
Azerbaijan defeat Sierra Leone in FIFA series friendly on penalties
CAF announces shock expansion of AFCON from 24 to 28 teams
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF announces shock expansion of AFCON from 24 to 28 teams

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled plans to increase the number of teams competing in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.

Currently, 24 teams participate in the tournament, which takes place every two years. However, CAF President Patrice Motsepe made a surprising announcement in Cairo on Sunday, revealing that this number will rise to 28 teams in future editions of the tournament.

Motsepe stated that this change reflects the organisation’s commitment to showcasing world-class football and welcoming the best African players from around the globe to compete on their home turf. However, he did not provide details on how or when these changes would be implemented.

This isn’t the first time the competition format has been altered; in 2019, the tournament expanded from 16 teams to its current 24. Yet again, Afcon is set for further modifications, as its biennial scheduling will shift to a model similar to that of Europe, taking place once every four years.

The 2027 edition will proceed as planned, leading into a special 2028 edition that will mark this transition.

To enhance the African football landscape, Motsepe also announced the introduction of a continental version of UEFA’s Nations League. This new competition will feature annual matches and a biennial final tournament comprising 16 teams.

These changes come against a backdrop of controversy surrounding the final of the 2025 edition in January. A match between Senegal and Morocco descended into chaos when Senegal walked off the pitch following a contentious penalty call.

Although they later returned to win the game, Morocco contested that Senegal’s departure amounted to a rule violation, leading to a successful appeal that saw Morocco retroactively declared the champions in March, nearly two months after the final took place.

In a show of defiance against this decision, Senegal has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and was seen parading the trophy in Paris over the weekend.

Samson Adamu, Caf's competitions director, will assume the role of acting general secretary.
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba resigns

Samson Adamu, Caf’s competitions director in the photo, will assume the role of acting general secretary following the resignation of General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba

The general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), Veron Mosengo-Omba, has resigned amid a tumultuous period for football in Africa.

His retirement follows the controversial decision to strip Senegal of hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and the last-minute postponement of the women’s tournament, plunging CAF into a crisis of confidence.

In his resignation statement, Mosengo-Omba noted, “Now that I’ve cleared the doubts some have cast on me, I can step down with peace of mind, knowing I leave Caf better positioned than ever.”

The 66-year-old faced criticism for extending his tenure past the organisation’s mandatory retirement age of 63 and was accused of creating a toxic work environment, although an investigation found no wrongdoing.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mosengo-Omba has served as General Secretary since March 2021. Samson Adamu, Caf’s competitions director, will assume the role of acting general secretary.

CAF is also awaiting a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Senegal’s appeal against losing the Afcon title, which followed a controversial match against Morocco, where Senegal was declared to have forfeited after walking off the field in protest.

DR Congo set for Jamaica cracker for a spot at World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

DR Congo set for Jamaica cracker for a spot at World Cup

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) is set to face Jamaica in the final of Path A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-off Tournament, where a coveted spot in the global event is at stake.

Jamaica secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over New Caledonia in the semi-final held at the Guadalajara Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Friday morning (Central Africa Time).

Wrexham’s Bailey Cadamarteri was the standout player for the Reggae Boyz, scoring the decisive goal in the 18th minute. Ronaldo Webster took a shot from a set piece just outside the area, forcing New Caledonia’s goalkeeper, Rocky Nyikeine, to make a save.

The goalkeeper deflected the ball to his right, right into the path of the onrushing Cadamarteri, who made no mistake from close range.

The Reggae Boyz fired off 12 shots, with four hitting the target, while New Caledonia could only manage five shots, two of which were on goal.

Having claimed victory in last year’s African play-off tournament, DR Congo automatically secured a place in the World Cup Play-off Tournament final and now knows who it will be up against.

The Leopards triumphed over both Cameroon and Nigeria to reach this point and are eager to clinch a spot in the World Cup for the first time since their initial appearance as Zaire in 1974.

Jamaica and DR Congo will clash at the Guadalajara Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, (15:00 local time) the winner earning a place in the World Cup in this high-stakes showdown.

Morocco draw with Ecuador in first friendly under new coach
by Football Sierra Leone

Morocco draw with Ecuador in first friendly under new coach

The Morocco national football team played to a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in their first friendly match of March, marking an important step in their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Held at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, this match was notable for being the debut of new head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who recently took over from Walid Regragui. Ecuador struck first in the 48th minute when John Yeboah linked up well with Gonzalo Plata before firing a shot from inside the box into the net.

Morocco answered back in the 59th minute when Neil El Aynaoui was fouled in the penalty area by Plata. The referee awarded a penalty, which El Aynaoui took in the 62nd minute. Though the Ecuadorian goalkeeper saved the initial shot, the ball rebounded to Rabii Hrimat, who found the net, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review indicated encroachment.

The Atlas Lions finally found their equalizer in the 88th minute. A perfectly delivered corner kick from Achraf Hakimi was met with a powerful header from El Aynaoui, who scored his first international goal and leveled the match before it ended in a 1-1 draw.

Looking ahead, Morocco is set to face the Paraguay national team in another friendly on March 31. They’ve been placed in Group C for the World Cup, where they’ll compete against Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.