Category: African News

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Sierra Leone draw Guinea, Mauritania and Liberia in WAFU U20
by FSL News

Sierra Leone draw Guinea, Mauritania & Liberia in WAFU U20

The Sierra Leone U20 Women’s team has been grouped with tough opponents Mauritania, Liberia, and Guinea for this year’s tournament in Thiès, Senegal, from May 20 to 30. Photo Credit Kemokai Sportgraphy

The draw for the 2024 U20 Senegal Women’s Tournament was held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the headquarters of the Senegalese Football Federation.

Eight out of nine teams will participate in this women’s soccer tournament. The participating teams are Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, and Sierra Leone. Cape Verde will not be participating.

Sierra Leone has started their preparations under the watchful eyes of head coach Fatmata Turay, who is optimistic about the team’s spirit. She has already expressed confidence in their ability to excel and highlighted the selection of 20 talented players from various clubs who will represent Sierra Leone in the competition.

The team is enthusiastic about impacting the regional stage and demonstrating the increasing talent in women’s football in Sierra Leone.

The SLFA fully supports the team’s endeavours and is confident in their ability to compete at the highest level.

The draw for the 2024 U20 Senegal Women's Tournament was held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the headquarters of the Senegalese Football Federation.
The draw for the 2024 U20 Senegal Women's Tournament was held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the headquarters of the Senegalese Football Federation.
Orihuela's Alusine Koroma to join Sierra Leone for June World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Orihuela’s Alusine Koroma to join Sierra Leone for June qualifiers

Spanish club Orihuela C.F. has confirmed that midfielder Alusine Koroma from Sierra Leone has been called up for the June World Cup qualifiers against Djibouti and Burkina Faso. 

Koroma has been an important player for Sergi Guilló and is performing well with his new team as they aim for promotion in the Second RFEF.

Sierra Leone will play their next qualification matches against Djibouti and Burkina Faso next month at the Stade El Abdi and Stade du 26 Mars in Morocco and Mali, respectively.

Last Sunday, Koroma played for 83 minutes as Orihuela CF defeated CF Badalona Futur 1-0 in their Segunda RFEF promotion playoff first-leg match. Juanmi Callejón scored the only goal for the home team, giving them an advantage in the promotion race. The stadium atmosphere was incredible, with fans supporting the team led by Sergi Guilló.

Koroma has played in 26 matches across all competitions since joining the club. He will be looking to contribute significantly to help his team win in the second leg on Sunday, May 19.

Orihuela CF achieved a crucial 3-2 victory against San Roque de Lepe, thanks to a double from Miguel Ángel De Las Cuevas Barberá, leading them to the playoff final.

Orihuela's Alusine Koroma to join Sierra Leone for June World Cup qualifiers
Orihuela's Alusine Koroma to join Sierra Leone for June World Cup qualifiers
Sierra Leone U-20 female preparing for the WAFU U-20 Tourney
by FSL News

Sierra Leone U20 start groundwork for WAFU Tourney in Senegal  

On Monday, the Sierra Leone Women’s National Team had their first training session at the SLFA Academy for the upcoming WAFU U-20 Women’s Tournament in Senegal.

The organisers have confirmed that the draw for the U20 Girls SENEGAL 2024 tournament will take place this Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 11:00 at the headquarters of the FSF in Dakar. 

It will be broadcast live on all digital platforms in the area: Facebook and YouTube WAFU. Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Senegal will join five other WAFU nations in this tournament.

Head Coach Fatmata Turay is optimistic about the team’s performance in the tournament and expressed confidence in their ability to excel. She also highlighted the selection of 20 talented players from various clubs who will represent Sierra Leone in the competition.

The team is set to undergo rigorous training and preparations leading up to the tournament, scheduled from May 20th to 30th this year.

The squad is eager to make a mark on the regional stage and showcase the growing talent in Sierra Leonean women’s football. The SLFA fully supports the team’s efforts and is confident in their ability to compete at the highest level.

WAFU 2024 Women's U20 Dakar, Senegal
WAFU 2024 Women's U20 Dakar, Senegal
Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Senegal will join five other WAFU nations in this tournament.
Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Senegal will join five other WAFU nations in this tournament.
Chaabani & Gomes expressed their desire for better performance in Cairo
by FSL News

Chaabani, Gomes call for more fireworks in Cairo

Both coaches of the teams that played in the CAF Confederation Cup Final first leg at the Berkane Municipal Stadium on Sunday evening have urged their players to perform even better in the return leg set for Sunday, 19 May in Cairo.

Despite RS Berkane’s victory in the match, their coach, Mouin Chaabani in the Photo, warned his players against complacency in the return leg. He admitted that although they had a good first half, there was visible laxity in the second half, which they need to improve.

Chaabani also acknowledged that they must work on their strategy and rectify their mistakes to get positive results in the next game.

Zamalek coach José Gomes expressed his disappointment over the team’s loss and said that they need to be better prepared for the return leg in Cairo.

Although they did not play badly, they did not play as well as they had hoped. Gomes also mentioned that the team had prepared well for this game and they plan to do the same for the next one.

RS Berkane secured the victory – thanks to two first-half goals by captain Issoufou Dayo and Adil Tahif. Zamalek’s only goal came from Seifeddine Jaziri in the 46th-mnute second half.

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Final 

Sunday, 12 May 2024 (First Leg)

RS Berkane 2-1 Zamalek SC

Sunday, 19 May 2024 (Second Leg)

17h00 GMT | Zamalek SC vs RS Berkane

On Sunday, Renaissance Berkane defeated Zamalek 2-1 in the first leg of the African Confederation Cup final at the Berkane Municipal Stadium.
On Sunday, Renaissance Berkane defeated Zamalek 2-1 in the first leg of the African Confederation Cup final at the Berkane Municipal Stadium.
RS Berkane edged Zamalek 2-1 to set up a tricky tie in Cairo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Berkane edged Zamalek 2-1 to set up a tricky tie in Cairo

On Sunday, Renaissance Berkane defeated Zamalek 2-1 in the first leg of the African Confederation Cup final at the Berkane Municipal Stadium.

A second-leg contest is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, at 7:00 PM GMT in Cairo.

Hosts scored twice, with a penalty by skipper Issoufou Dayo in the 13th minute and a header at the back post by Adil Tahif in the 32nd minute, doubling their lead.

After the halftime break, the Egyptian team came back with a more organized strategy and started recovering positions as they reduced the deficit. 

The Egyptians managed to score thanks to Seifeddine Jaziri’s quick thinking in the 46th minute. A momentary lapse of concentration just after the resumption of play resulted in Ahmed Sayed making his fifth assist of the competition. 

He found Seifeddine Jaziri, who scored with a powerful header that hit the bottom left corner of the net.

The return leg in Cairo next Sunday will see Berkane, winners in 2020 and 2022, aiming for a third triumph in the continent’s secondary club competition.

Lineups:

RS Berkane: Hamza Hamiani – Issoufou Dayou, Abdelhak Assal, Hamza El Moussaoui, Adil Tahif – Ayoub Khairi, Mohamed El Mourabit, Yassin Labhiri, Tuisila Kisinda – Youssef Mehri, Youssef Al Fahli, Paul Bassene

Zamalek: Mohamad Awaad – Ahmed Fattouh, Hossam Abdel-Meguid, Omar Gaber, Hamza Mathlouthi – Mohamed Shehata, Nabil Emad, Ahmed Hamdi –  Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed, Samson Akinyoola, Seifeddine Jaziri.

El Jadida Stadium to host Sierra Leone v Djibouti WC qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

El Jadida Stadium to host Sierra Leone v Djibouti WC qualifier

Sierra Leone national football team will play their next World Cup Group A match against Djibouti at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, football Sierra Leone understands. 

The match is scheduled for next month as Sierra Leone will be looking to secure their first win in the race to the 2026 World Cup in the USA after earning a point from their previous matches against Ethiopia and Egypt.

Sierra Leone is ranked 126th, which is 66 places ahead of Djibouti. This puts the West African team in a favourable position to win. 

Djibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. However, it was a positive goalless draw for Djibouti in Liberia during the second leg of the qualifier. 

The Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium is a 15,000-seater multi-use stadium in El Jadida, Morocco. 

It is mainly used for football matches and is home to Difaa El Jadida. Central and East African teams will face a tough contest against Sierra Leone at this stadium.

Egypt topped Group A with six points, followed by Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau with four points each. Sierra Leone and Ethiopia are tied on one point each, while Djibouti has no points after losing their opening two games.

Djibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
SDjibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
RS Berkane face-off Zamalek in CAF Confederation Cup final
by FSL News

RS Berkane face-off Zamalek in CAF Confederation Cup final first-leg

On Sunday, Moroccos’s Berkane will entertain Egypt’s Zamalek in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final. Kick-off at the Berkane Municipal Stadium at 19h00 GMT.

Both African giant clubs met in the 2019 final, which Zamalek won 5-3. The winner of this match will be the new champion.

RS Berkane will play the first leg at home and hopes to win their third title. However, Zamalek is in good form, having lost just one of their last 21 games in the competition. 

Both teams have high turnovers and are successful in duels. During the semi-final against Dreams, Samson Akinyoola and Mostafa Shalaby became 9th and 10th different scorers for Zamalek. 

Only two players have created 20+ chances in the competition – Mohamed El Morabito and Zizo.

Senegalese striker Paul Bassène is the joint top scorer of this season’s tournament with four goals and he will be carrying Berkane’s hopes of defeating Zamalek.

After Sunday’s first leg, the return fixture is scheduled for May 19 at the Cairo International Stadium.

Ademola Lookman nets as Atalanta reach the Europa League final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ademola Lookman nets as Atalanta reach Europa League final

Ademola Lookman was on target as Atalanta secured their spot in the Europa League final with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Marseille at the Gewiss Stadium.

Atalanta, managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, is set to face Bayer Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso, in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 22nd.

This will be Atalanta’s first final in European competition.

Nigeria International Ademola Lookman scored the first goal for Atalanta in the 30th minute with a deflected strike that went past Marseille’s goalkeeper Pau Lopez and landed in the bottom corner.

Matteo Ruggeri extended Atalanta’s lead at the start of the second half with a right-footed drive into the top corner. El Bilal Toure scored the final goal of the match in injury time with the last kick of the game.

Atalanta had several missed chances to score in the first half, even though they eliminated Liverpool in the previous round.

Ilaix Moriba scored the winning goal from a penalty in the first half. 
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea beat Indonesia to seal Paris 2024 Olympics spot

On Thursday, Guinea secured their place in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament with a 1-0 win against Indonesia in a play-off match. 

Sixteen teams will compete in the men’s tournament from July 24 to 9 August 2024.

Moriba Kourouma scored the winning goal from a penalty in the first half.

Although Indonesia fought back, Guinea’s defence held firm, and they secured their historic place in the Olympic Age.

During the game, Algassime Bah was fouled by Indonesia’s Witan Sulaeman, leading to a penalty. 

The African team will be making their second appearance in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, having previously competed in 1968.

Guinea is in Group A of the 16-team summer event, along with hosts France, USA, and New Zealand. 

Reaction

“We’re qualified, so we’re rewriting history with these young ones. They’ve earned it. This will be the second time that Guinea has taken part in the Olympic Games. We’re going there to try and go as far as possible.” Kaba Diawara, Guinea coach.

Brighton's Carlos Baleba set to boost Cameroon squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba set to boost Cameroon squad

Cameroon’s national football team, the “Indomitable Lions,” is set to add Carlos Baleba to its squad after his recent agreement to represent the team.

Football Sierra Leone understands that the announcement of the squad will provide insight into Brys’s vision for Cameroon’s footballing future.

Baleba is one of Africa’s most promising talents and has emerged as an exceptional midfielder since his transfer to Brighton from Lille last summer.

Baleba, 20, joined Albion in August 2023 from Lille, signing a five-year contract.

Baleba’s absence from Cameroon’s squad during the last Africa Cup of Nations caused controversy, but he has now agreed to play for the team.

Head coach Marc Brys is expected to be named Brighton’s player for the World Cup 2026 upcoming matches against Cape Verde and Angola.Africa’s