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.

Attacker Mustapha Bundu on target in Plymouth Argyle's Cup win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Mustapha Bundu on target in Plymouth Argyle’s Cup win  

Sierra Leone’s striker, Mustapha Bundu, scored as Plymouth Argyle’s head coach, Wayne Rooney, achieved his first win in the Carabao Cup match on Wednesday evening.

The team rebounded from their 4-0 Championship defeat at Sheffield Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over Cheltenham Town at Home Park.

Plymouth Argyle had more chances in the first half, with Ryan Hardie and Freddie Issaka going close, while Ethon Archer hit the post with a low shot five minutes before half-time.

Ben Waine broke the deadlock after an hour, tapping in from close range after Adam Randell’s free-kick was parried onto the crossbar.

After taking the lead, Argyle dominated the game, with substitutes Mustapha Bundu and Morgan Whittaker missing good chances.

In the 81st minute, Hardie doubled the lead with a close-range finish from Ibrahim Cissoko’s cross.

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu sealed the win in the 84th minute with a controlled finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

In his first game in charge on Sunday, Rooney’s team had suffered a 4-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

However, for this match, Rooney made changes to the lineup, with only young midfielder Darko Gyabi and goalkeeper Conor Hazard remaining, as Michael Cooper was set to join Sheffield United as their new goalkeeper.

Argyle 3 

Waine 62, Hardie 81, Bundu 84 

Cheltenham 0 

Sierra Leone's Tyrese Fornah is excited to join Salford City
by @football_sierra

Sierra Leone’s Tyrese Fornah ready for fresh start at Salford City

Sierra Leone international Tyrese Fornah is ready for a fresh start after joining League Two side Salford City FC on a season-long loan deal from Derby County for the 2024-25 season. The move is subject to FA and EFL ratification and approval.

The midfielder helped Derby win automatic promotion from League One with the Rams.

“I’m a dynamic soccer player who loves advancing the ball, creating excitement, and showcasing my skills.  I want to share joy with the fans and help the team win. The club’s ambition to get promoted aligns perfectly with mine. I believe this team can achieve promotion. Let’s get started,” Fornah told the club’s website.

The Sierra Leone international signed with the Rams from Nottingham Forest last summer. He played in 23 matches in all competitions as Paul Warne’s side secured promotion from the third tier.

However, he had limited playing time in the second half of last season, with his last league start coming in the 3-1 home win against Lincoln City in December 2023.

Fornah came off the bench as a late substitute in last Friday’s Sky Bet Championship season opener at Blackburn Rovers. He might make his Salford debut in their league match at Bradford City on Saturday.

Abu Kamara nets in Norwich Carabao Cup win over Stevenage
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara scores first Norwich’s goal in win over Stevenage

On Tuesday, Abu Kamara, a native of Sierra Leone, scored his first goal for Norwich as they secured a 4-3 victory over Stevenage, earning a spot in the second round of the Carabao Cup at Carrow Road.

The team made seven changes from their last game. Newcomers to the starting lineup included Brad Hills, Jaden Warner, Amankwah Forson, Abu Kamara, George Long, Onel Hernández, and Kellen Fisher.

Kamara, who last season was pivotal in Portsmouth’s promotion, scored his first goal for Norwich, in the first start, but Stevenage quickly equalized.

Hernández then scored, but Stevenage equalized again. In the second half, Kamara and Hernández, both scored again, leading to Norwich’s 4-3 win.

17-year-old Elliot Myles made his senior debut towards the end of the match. Next, Norwich City will play against Blackburn Rovers at Carrow Road on Saturday at 3 pm.

The Carabao Cup Round Two draw will be conducted live on Sky Sports after the Leeds United v Middlesbrough match on Wednesday, 14 August.

Yayah Kallon nets first Salernitana goal in win over Spezia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Yayah Kallon nets first Salernitana goal in win over Spezia

At the “Arechi” stadium, Salernitana qualified for the round of 32 of the Coppa Italia by beating Spezia 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw at full time.

Sierra Leone-born Yayah Kallon helped U.S. Salernitana 1919 progress to round 32 of the Coppa Italia – his 53rd-minute goal revived their comeback.

In the 43rd minute, Spezia scored the first goal. After that, they scored a second goal and were ahead 2-0 at halftime. Salernitana scored a goal early in the second half through Yayah Kallon, making it 2-1.

Spezia then scored another goal, making it 3-1. The home team scored twice, equalizing the game at 3-3. The match went to a penalty shootout, which Salernitana won 5-4.

Kallon, 23, sealed a season-long loan transfer from Hellas Verona to the Serie B outfit Salernitana last month.

During his loan spell at Bari last season, Kallon made 14 appearances and scored two goals. He is hopeful he will continue performing well on the field.

Winger David Kalokoh is in line to start against Jong PSV
by FSL News

Winger David Kalokoh in line to start against Jong PSV

Sierra Leone-born David Kalokoh is expected to be in the starting line-up when Jong PSV hosts Jong Ajax at PSV Campus De Herdgang on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 18:00 UTC in the first round of the Eerste Divisie.

Last season, both teams faced difficulties, with Jong Ajax finishing fifteenth on 40 points but with a better goal difference compared to the PSV youth team.

The current head-to-head records for the teams stand at Jong PSV’s seven wins, Jong Ajax’s eight wins, and seven draws. Kalokoh scored three goals in thirty-one appearances last season, and the young winger aims to improve this statistic in the upcoming games.

The 19-year-old signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club from September 1, 2023, until June 30, 2027. His previous contract was set to expire in 2024. David Kalokoh was born on April 21, 2005, in Kono, Sierra Leone, and he transferred from VVV-Venlo’s youth academy to Ajax’s youth academy in 2018.

On April 28 of this year, Kalokoh made his professional football debut during the Ajax U23 match against his former club VVV-Venlo, which ended with a score of 0-1. So far, he has played nine matches for Ajax U23, scoring one goal.

Sheffield Wednesday thrash Mustapha Bundu's Plymouth Argyle in opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sheffield Wednesday thrash Mustapha Bundu’s Argyle in opener

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu started under new head coach Wayne Rooney in the English Championship. However, Plymouth Argyle, led by Wayne Rooney, had a tough start, losing 4-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in his first game in charge at Hillsborough.

Last season, it took Sheffield Wednesday 14 games to win, but they managed to do it in their first game of the 2024/25 season, largely thanks to Jamal Lowe. Bundu, who played as a second striker, was substituted in the 57th minute and replaced by Bali Mumba.

Lowe scored in the first half and was also involved in forcing an own goal from Brendan Galloway in the second half at Hillsborough. Josh Windass and Michael Smith added a late third and fourth goal to seal a great day for Sheffield Wednesday. Rooney’s Argyle team struggled, especially in the first half.

Sheffield Wednesday’s two best players played a significant role in the move that led to the opening goal in the 35th minute.

Barry Bannan’s pass and Svante Ingelsson’s excellent cross found Lowe in the middle, who made no mistake with the finish. In the 52nd minute, Sheffield Wednesday extended their lead to 2-0 thanks to a calamitous own goal from Galloway.

Lowe’s header struck Galloway in the face and flew into the net, an unfortunate own goal.

In the 83rd minute, a third goal was scored by Windass after a pass from Anthony Musaba, who set him up for a decisive strike. Finally, with the last kick of the game, substitute Smith scored the fourth goal, firing in from close range at the second attempt.

Augustus Kargbo nets to help Cesena advance to Coppa Italia round of 16
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo nets to help Cesena advance in Coppa Italia

Cesena advanced to the 16th round of the Coppa Italia after winning against a Serie A team away from home. They will now face Pisa or Frosinone.

Sierra Leone International scored for Cesena again, helping them progress in the Italian Serie B Coppa Italia. Hellas Verona’s first official match of the season ended in a defeat against Cesena in the round of 32 of the Italian Cup.

In the first half, Romagnoli took the lead with a goal in the 44th minute by Kargbo, who converted a right-footed shot from Bastoni’s assist.

At the start of the second half, the Bianconeri scored again through Shpendi, assisted by Kargbo. In the 75th minute, Tengstedt scored for Hellas Verona, making the final score 1-2.

In the next round, Cesena will play against the winner of the Frosinone-Pisa match, scheduled for Monday at 18:00.

Turkish side Ankara Keciorengucu unveil Steven Caulker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker makes debut in Keçiörengücü’s opening draw

Sierra Leone captain Steven Caulker played his first game for his Turkish team Keçiörengücü on Friday in the season’s opener, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Keçiörengücü, who played away against Sakaryaspor in the first week of the Trendyol 1st League 2024-2025 season, left the field with a 1-1 draw.

New acquisition Caulker played the full throttle of the game – his first 90-minute of action since February.

Striker Aliou Traore scored the visitor’s opener, but his goal was cancelled in the 56th minute through Emre Demir’s leveller.

In July 2024, Caulker returned to Turkey after signing a one-year deal with TFF First League club Keçiörengücü, with the option of a further one-year extension.

Keciorengucu’s next league action is against Bandirmaspor on Saturday, August 17, in front of the home fans.

Fornah's Derby suffer opening Championship defeat at Ewood Park
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fornah’s Derby suffer opening Championship defeat at Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers secured a strong 4-2 victory over Derby County, with goals from Sammie Szmodics, Andreas Weimann, and Yuki Ohashi.

A first-half strike from Blackburn attacker Tyrhys Dolan was equalized by Curtis Nelson’s header in the second half, followed by rapid goals from Andi Weimann and Sammie Szmodics, giving the hosts a two-goal advantage.

Weimann, playing against his former club, scored with his second touch after coming on as a substitute, and Szmodics continued his scoring form from last season when he was the division’s top scorer.

Japanese forward Ohashi added a fourth goal, and Kane Wilson scored a consolation goal for Derby.

Sierra Leone’s Tyrese Fornah was an 86-minute substitute replacing David Ozoh Derby’s new signing.

Post-match reaction – Blackburn boss John Eustace told BBC Radio Lancashire:

“We’ve had seven weeks of work in pre-season and there’s been good things and also bad things that we’ve had to put right.

“It’s only the start – there’s so much hard work ahead of us, but it was pleasing to see that performance today.

“I thought every player that was on that pitch was outstanding. But there’s a lot more hard work ahead.”

Derby boss Paul Warne told BBC Radio Derby:

At 1-1, I honestly thought we would go on and win the match. We got punished for our mistakes, and it’s a quick lesson for us. You can’t go away from home and concede four goals and expect to come away with anything.

I was pleased with large parts of our play, but not with the final score. In the second half, we gave it our all, scored a goal, and I believed we could win. We were on top, and I made the mistake of probably not making my substitutions quickly enough. I think the turning point was when they made changes and brought on fresh legs – outstanding fresh legs.legs.”

Derby will face Chesterfield at Pride Park Stadium in Round One of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday at 7:45 pm.

Bristol Rovers midfielder Kamil Conteh back in Sierra Leone squad
by FSL News

Kamil Conteh’s Bristol Rovers wrap up preseason with defeat

On Saturday, Bristol Rovers faced a 2-0 defeat against Cardiff City in their final pre-season match ahead of the new English League One campaign.

Sierra Leone’s Kamil Conteh entered the game in the 65th minute at the Memorial Stadium. The goals for Cardiff came from Aaron Ramsey in the 28th minute and Joe Ralls in the second half.

Despite some opportunities for Rovers, they could not find the back of the net, and Cardiff’s early goals secured their victory.

Kamil Conteh and Bristol Rovers will commence their 2024/25 Sky Bet League One campaign with a match against Northampton Town on Saturday, 10th August.

Bristol Rovers 0-2 Cardiff City

Pre-season fixture, The Memorial Stadium, Saturday, 3 August, 2024

Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Senior (Hunt 64), Moore, Wilson, Mola, Bilongo, Conteh (Lindsay 64), Ward (Garrett 64), Hutchinson (McCormick 64), Sinclair (Shaw 74), Omochere (Thomas 64)

Subs not used: Hall, Taylor, Forbes.

Cardiff City: Horvath, Siopis, Goutas, Ralls, Ramsey, O’Dowda, Chambers, Willock, Meite, Tanner, Ng

Subs: Alnwick, Dennis, Gbadehan, Hanga, Bagan, King, Colwill, Conte, Davies, Giles, Ashford

Goals: Ramsey 28, Ralls 56,

Attendance: 3251 (1,446 away)