Category: Players Abroad News

Sierra Leone fasting growing digital football website is passionately on all topics of National and International news, identifying our soccer stars.

Augustine Williams' Indy Eleven meet Sporting KC in US Cup semis
by FSL News

Williams’ Indy Eleven to meet Sporting KC in US Cup semis

Augustine Williams’ Indy Eleven is set to face Major League side Sporting KC in the US Cup semis in August.

Tuesday night, Indy Eleven made history by winning 2-1 against Atlanta United, advancing to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals for the first time since starting in the tournament in 2014.

Sierra Leone’s Augustine Williams scored the first goal of the match, marking his third consecutive goal in the Cup. This was also the first goal that Atlanta had conceded after keeping two clean sheets at the start of the tournament.

This victory was Indy’s first win against an MLS opponent in four attempts. Williams opened the scoring in the 31st minute with an assist from Douglas Martinez, who provided his second assist of the tournament.

The second goal which turned out to be the match-winner for Indy, was an own goal caused by a dangerous cross into the Atlanta box intended for Elliot Collier, but inadvertently deflected into the net.

Atlanta’s only goal came from Nick Firmino in the 83rd minute. Inoffensive action, Josh O’Brien had three shots on goal for Indy, while Sebastian Guenzatti had two shots on target.

Los Angeles FC face Seattle in the semifinals, while Sporting KC meet USL Championship side Augustine Williams Indy Eleven after their upset of Atlanta United.

There is a chance that forward Malachi Jones could return to play for New York City FC this season after a scary leg injury.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Malachi Jones could make a return this season after scary injury

There is a chance that forward Malachi Jones could return to play for New York City FC this season after a scary leg injury.

The youngster underwent a successful surgery to repair a broken tibia and fibula of the right leg, the club confirmed last week.

The Sierra Leone-born suffered a broken tibia and fibula in his right leg during a collision with Orlando City goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar in a match on June 28 and had surgery days later.

The team’s sporting director, David Lee, mentioned that while they don’t have a specific timeline for his return, they are hopeful that he could make a comeback before the end of the season.

Jones was seen at the team’s training facility walking without crutches for the first time, which is a positive sign for his recovery.

Jones was expected to spend the year developing with NYCFC II but instead became a regular for the first team. In 14 appearances, he has started four games, scored a goal, and recorded three assists. His first career MLS goal came on May 11 against Toronto FC.

Alex Bangura Middlesbrough set open pre-season camp in Portugal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alex Bangura’s Middlesbrough set up pre-season camp in Portugal

Sierra Leone left-back Alex Bangura is part of the English Championship team Middlesbrough’s week-long pre-season camp in Portugal.

The 28-man Middlesbrough squad flew out to Portugal on Sunday afternoon for warm-weather training in the Algarve, where they will also have a closed-door match against Portuguese top-tier team Vitoria SC.

Bangura, who has five caps for Sierra Leone, made eighteen appearances for Middlesbrough last season as they came close to earning promotion to the Premiership.

Middlesbrough’s full first-team squad, including players like Tommy Smith, Darragh Lenihan, and Marcus Forss, are in Portugal and will also focus on their rehabilitation during this training period.

Augustus Kargbo's Cesena announce 2024/25 pre-season schedules
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo’s Cesena announce 2024/25 pre-season schedule

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo’s Italian side Cesena has announced their schedule for the pre-season ahead of the new Serie B campaign for the 2024/25 season.

Kargbo was pivotal as Cesena secured promotion to Serie B after winning the Serie C championship against Pescara F.C. by 1-0, thanks to Edoardo Pierozzi In August.

The team’s first training session, under the guidance of the new coach Mignani, is set to start tomorrow. Thirty players have been called up for the first seasonal meeting, including six from the Primavera team.

The schedule for this week includes daily double training sessions at 9 am and 5:30 pm until Friday at the Villa Silvia sports centre. Additionally, all training sessions this week will be open to the public.

On Saturday, July 13, the team will leave for Acquapartita for a two-week retreat. The first two friendlies of the season have been scheduled. The team will play against the local Representative of Alto Savio on Sunday, July 14 and against Sampierana on Thursday, July 18.

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma extends Al Shahaniya's deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma extends Al Shahaniya’s deal

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma has signed a contract extension with Qatari Super League sports club Al Shahaniya until 2026.

The 24-year-old Sierra Leone international had initially signed a two-year deal last summer but has now agreed to a one-year extension after helping the club secure promotion.

Koroma was pivotal in Al Shahaniya’s promotion to the Qatar Super League for the upcoming season. In his first season at the club, Koroma made significant contributions, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in the league campaign.

The team secured a 3-1 victory over Al Markhiya at the Al Thumama Stadium in May, confirming their promotion to the Qatar top-tier league.

This victory secured their place in the 2024-2025 season’s First Division after a Play-Off match that pitted the 11th-placed team (Al Markhiya) in the final standings of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League against the second-placed team (Al Shahaniya) in the Second Division championship.

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma has signed a contract extension with Qatari Super League sports club Al Shahaniya until 2026.
Midfielder Alhassan Koroma has signed a contract extension with Qatari Super League sports club Al Shahaniya until 2026.
Samal Bangura joins Tottenham Hotspur U18 scholars
by FSL News

Samal Bangura joins Tottenham Hotspur U18 scholars

Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur has officially announced that Samal Bangura a Sierra Leonean native is one of the new academy scholars for the 2024-2025 season.

The club introduced 13 young players who have joined their Under-18s as full-time, first-year scholars.

Stuart Lewis, the Under-18s Coach, expressed excitement about working with the new scholarship intake and called it a proud moment for the players and their families.

He emphasized that becoming a full-time scholar at Tottenham Hotspur is an incredible achievement.

The staff team looks forward to developing the players individually and collectively as they support their scholarship years at the club.

Kei Kamara continues his excellent scoring form with LAFC
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kei Kamara continues his excellent scoring form with LAFC

Kei Kamara, the second-highest goal scorer in Major League Soccer, has scored three goals in his last four matches for Los Angeles in all competitions.

Another header from Kamara as Los Angeles extended its club-record unbeaten streak to 12 games in all competitions with a 2-1 win over archrivals LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl on Thursday night.

LAFC took the lead in the 40th minute when Kei Kamara scored with a powerful header from a Mateusz Bogusz corner kick, making the score 1-0.

Dénis Athanase Bouanga scored their second goal in the 44th minute before LA Galaxy pulled one back in the 56th minute through Gabriel Pec. However, that would be as close as they would get on the night as the Black & Gold locked down defensively on the way to victory.

LAFC won their third consecutive game against the Galaxy and their third consecutive league game.

They are currently at the top of the Western Conference with a record of 13-4-4 and 43 points, three points ahead of the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake.

Sierra Leone's native signs Arsenal professional contract
by FSL News

Sierra Leone’s native Kabia signs Arsenal professional contract

Arsenal has confirmed that Ismeal Kabia, a right winger, has signed a professional contract at the club.

Kabia made the step up to Arsenal’s under-21s team last season and played in several competitions.

He expressed his happiness after signing his contract and discussed the positive influence the club has had on him.

Despite some injuries, he finished the last season with eight appearances and scored his first goal for Arsenal U18s against Southampton.

Kabia, who was born in the Netherlands but is also eligible to play for Sierra Leone, aims to make a significant impact on the Arsenal team.

Anderlecht eye Portsmouth winger Abu Kamara
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Anderlecht eye Portsmouth’s winger Abu Kamara

After a successful loan spell with Portsmouth, Norwich City winger Abu Kamara is a summer target for Belgian top-tier side Anderlecht, Football Sierra Leone understands.

Kamara’s impressive performance at League One champions Portsmouth has attracted interest, but Norwich plans to include him in their first-team under manager Johannes Hoff Thorup.

Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reports that Anderlecht, managed by former Norwich youth coach Brian Riemer, are keen on signing Kamara and wants to bring him to Belgium this summer.

A source from Norwich has confirmed that they plan to include Kamara in their first-team set-up this summer while their new head coach, Thorup, assesses the squad.

Kamara was an important player in Portsmouth’s championship-winning season last year. He scored ten goals and provided eleven assists in 52 games.

This summer, he made his debut for England’s U20 team. The 20-year-old, who came through City’s academy, has one year left on his contract at Carrow Road, and Norwich has a one-year option.

Issa Kallon scores winner as Nantong Zhiyun beat Three Towns
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Issa Kallon scores winner as Nantong Zhiyun beat Three Towns

Issa Kallon scored the winning goal as Nantong Zhiyun secured a 2-1 victory over Three Towns in the 17th round of the Chinese Super League at Wuhan Stadium on Saturday.

Izuchukwu Jude Anthony scored the opening goal in the 11th minute, but Kallon secured an 87th-minute winner. Although the visitors pulled one back through Pedro, it was too late for a comeback.

Nantong Zhiyun FC has had a lacklustre season, but this win might ignite their season as they move out of the relegation zone.

It was Kallon’s third season since joining the Chinese Super League club on 9 February 2024 from fellow Chinese Super League club Nantong Zhiyun.

Nantong Zhiyun were stunned by Tianjin Teda in their recent match to play out a 1-1 draw, thwarting their chances of recording their third win of the season.

In that match, they took the lead through Yongtao Lu’s goal in the 45th minute, only to squander their lead in the game’s dying minutes.

Before today, their team had not won in their last eight league matches (L5, D3). They came into this game after losing their previous two matches, with 5-2 defeats against Zhejiang Professional FC and Beijing Guoan FC.