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.

Forest Green striker Amadou Bakayoko wants Dundee return
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Forest Green striker Amadou Bakayoko wants Dundee return

Sierra Leone international Amadou Bakayoko has praised manager Tony Docherty’s impact during his time at Dens as he expressed his interest in returning to the Scottish Premiership side.

Bakayoko joined Dundee on loan from Forest Green Rovers last season and played a crucial role in helping the Dark Blues secure a top-six finish in the Cinch Premiership. He mentioned that he would appreciate the chance to rejoin Tony Docherty’s side.

When asked about his summer plans, Bakayoko told Courier Sport exclusively, “Not sure at the minute. We’ll have to wait and see. I’m contracted at Forest Green, but I’ll have to speak to them and see what’s possible.”

Would he be keen to return to Dundee? “For sure,” he replied. I think it’s a great league. I think I’ve done decent but I can do a lot better. I didn’t have a full pre-season because of the situation I was in.”

The former Coventry man has been selected for the Sierra Leone squad for World Cup qualifying matches against Djibouti and Burkina Faso in June.

He led the line for the Dee and scored important goals, netting six times and providing five assists in 40 appearances.

However, the 28-year-old is still under contract at Forest Green for next season but hopes to discuss his options with his parent club before the new campaign.

Amara Nallo features for England's U18 in the Tri-Nation win over Morocco.
by FSL News

Amara Nallo helps England’s U18 win the Tri-Nation trophy 

Amara Nallo, a native of Sierra Leone, played for the England Young Lions as they rallied to beat Morocco 2-1 at St. George’s Park. 

This victory secured them the first-ever U18 Tri-Nations Trophy on Sunday, making them the inaugural winners of the U18 Tri-Nations Trophy.

 The young defender has been crucial for the English U18 side since moving to Liverpool from West Ham.

In a historic match, Tom Curtis’s U18 side hosted Morocco for the first time on home soil. The game began with Morocco taking the lead as Mohammed Hamony scored in the 14th minute. 

In the 33rd minute, Matthew Warhurst’s header was saved by the Moroccan goalkeeper. In the second half, England’s Ethan Wheatley scored twice, securing a win. The match also included a tribute to former England staff member Craig Simmons.

In March 2024, Nallo was called up to the England U-18 squad for the Pinatar Super Cup matches against Czechia, Germany, and the Netherlands. He made his debut in a 2-1 win over Czechia at the Pinatar Arena on 20 March 2024.

Mohamed Conteh shines for Al Ain in the International U16 Cup
by FSL News

Mohamed Conteh shines for Al Ain in International Cup

In April of this year, 15-year-old Mohamed Jay Jay Conteh, a former FC Kallon and Duada Bangs FC midfielder, won his first silverware with the Al Ain U16 team in the United Arab Emirates. 

Conteh left Sierra Leone in September 2022 and played a crucial role in the third edition of the Al Ain tournament held from March to April 2024.

Despite facing setbacks due to injuries, he made significant contributions as his team competed against renowned clubs such as Chelsea FC, RS Kerkane, Kashiwa Reysol Club, SK Slavia Prague from the Czech Republic, and Sporting SC from Portugal in the International Youth Cup.

“I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup. It was a great experience for me as a young player,” Conteh told this medium.

Despite joining the team in the second half of the league after recovering from a hand injury, I was pleased with my contribution.”

The former Sierra Leone U15 attacking midfielder hopes the new season will further propel him to greater heights.

“I’m looking forward to the upcoming season and hopefully playing with the Al Ain U17 side. Since joining the team after the injury, I have played 19 games, scored six goals, and provided seven assists.”

I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup.
I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup.
Augustine Williams takes tally to seven for Indy Eleven 
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustine Williams takes tally to seven for Indy Eleven 

Indy Eleven made club history by reaching the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the first time after defeating USL Championship rival Detroit City FC 3-0. 

Augustine Williams scored his seventh goal in thirteen games since joining the club before the new campaign. He has two Open Cup goals for Indy this season, while Stanley leads the team with two assists.

The scoring started with a Detroit City own goal from a Benjamin Ofeimu cross. Indy Eleven has scored their first goal in the 14th minute or earlier in all three U.S. Open Cup matches this season.

Indy Eleven scored two more goals in the first half. Douglas Martinez assisted Augi Williams for the first goal in the 33rd minute, and Aedan Stanley connected on a corner kick to Ofeimu for the second goal in the 36th minute.

Indy Eleven is unbeaten in its last eight matches, dating back to the Third Round win over Chicago Fire FC II on April 17. 

They also became the second Indiana club in the tournament’s history to reach the Quarterfinals (the first being Indianapolis Inferno in 1992).

Indy Eleven will play against Atlanta United (MLS) on the road on July 9 or 10 in the Quarterfinals.

Indy Eleven will play against Atlanta United (MLS) on July 9 or 10 in the Quarterfinals on the road.
Indy Eleven will play against Atlanta United (MLS) on July 9 or 10 in the Quarterfinals on the road.
Augustus Kargbo happy to help Cesena lift the Super Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo happy to help Cesena win the Super Cup 

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo expressed his delight at helping Cesena win the Italian Serie C Super Cup on Sunday.

Kargbo, 24, scored for Cesena in the 61st minute to reduce the deficit after Juve Stabia went ahead through Nicola Mosti and A. Adorante in the 20th and 27th minutes, respectively.

“It was a tough match – we knew it would be. They are an aggressive team that tries to disrupt our game. We were prepared for this. We kept pushing regardless of the result,” Kargbo stated on the club’s website.

“We finally won. I’m happy to have helped the team. It doesn’t matter whether I score or provide an assist – what’s important is contributing to the team. On that occasion, assisting Robi was more important than trying to score alone.

After Ramadan, I experienced a decline, which may happen, but it’s unnecessary. The most important thing was having confidence in myself because the support of my teammates and the club has always been there. This enabled me to work hard and strive for improvement to help the team in the best possible way.”

The attacker will join the Sierra Leone National team for the third and fourth matchdays of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.  The Leone Stars will play on 5 June against Djibouti at the Stade El Abdi in El Jadida (Morocco), while on the 10th, they take on Burkina Faso at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako (Mali).

Striker Augustine Williams is thrilled with Indy Eleven's current form
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Augustine Williams is thrilled with Indy Eleven’s current form

Indy Eleven secured an impressive 4-1 victory over Hartford Athletic at Carroll Stadium. Sierra Leone International Augustine Williams was happy with his performance and the team’s spirit.

Augi Williams scored his sixth goal of the season, Indy’s final goal, with an assist from Younes Boudadi, placing him at the top of the team’s scoring alongside Blake.

The first goal was scored in the third minute by Jack Blake from a penalty kick, giving him a team-leading five goals this season. Benjamin Ofeimu doubled the lead with the match-winning goal, scoring off one of Indy’s season-high 12 corners.

The team has scored 12 first-half goals this season, the second-highest total in the league. Aedan Stanley assisted Douglas Martinez for an insurance goal in the 54th minute.

Hartford managed to score in the 80th minute with a goal from Michael Ngalina.

“It has been a great season so far. We started a little bit slow, but as time went on, the team was able to find chemistry and started to click,” Williams told Football Sierra Leone.

“It’s been a good journey for me with the team – I have been able to put myself in a great spot to be able to get the chance to score. It’s one game at a time, but I am pleased with everything so far.”

On meeting his national teammate Emmanuel Samadia, who was introduced in the 46th minute for Hartford:

“It was great to meet Samadia, my teammate from the national team. But for now, I will stay focused and determined, and I hope we can continue on this path because there’s no better feeling than winning.”

Indy Eleven is on a seven-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, including a five-game unbeaten streak in the USL Championship. 

The team has scored in 11 straight USL matches, totalling 21 goals. They will host Detroit City FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday at 7 pm.

Indy Eleven striker named in USL Championship Team of the Week
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Indy Eleven striker Augustine Williams in USL Team of the Week

Sierra Leone international Augustine Williams has been selected for the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 10 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday.

Williams scored a brace for Indy Eleven in their 3-1 victory against Miami FC. He took a season-high nine shots overall and won 3 of 4 aerial duels.

It was hs fifth of the season as they defeated Miami 3-1 in the ongoing season. 

His teammate defender Aedan Stanley was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording the first two-assist game of his career and helping lead Indy to a 3-1 victory against Miami FC on Sunday night, extending the club’s current undefeated run.

Indy Eleven remains unbeaten in six consecutive matches, including four in USL Championship play, following their victory over Miami FC, an Eastern Conference opponent.

The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 10 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday.
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 10 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday.
Sierra Leone's Malachi Jones opens his NYFC MLS account
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Malachi Jones opens his NYFC MLS account 

New York City FC achieved a remarkable 3-2 victory against Toronto FC in an away game on Saturday night. The MLS side’s Sierra Leonean player, Malachi Jones, scored his first goal for the team.

City took the lead in the first half with a penalty kick by Santiago Rodríguez. Just before halftime, Malachi Jones scored his first MLS goal with an impressive finish but went off due to injury. 

Although Federico Bernardeschi scored a goal for Toronto in the 55th minute, Andrés Perea restored City’s two-goal lead in the 77th minute. 

Toronto managed to score again in the 89th minute thanks to Raoul Petretta, but Perea’s first goal of the season was enough to secure City’s win.

Malachi Jones, who was picked as the eighth overall pick in the First Round from Lipscomb University, joined New York City after making 35 appearances for the Bisons over two seasons, scoring 12 goals and providing 15 assists. 

In the past season, he led the NCAA ASUN Conference in total assists and assists per game, earning him United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team Honors and being named First Team All-ASUN for the second consecutive season.

On Sunday, Sierra Leone International Alusine Koroma featured for 83 minutes as Orihuela CF defeated CF Badalona Futur 1-0 in their promotion first-leg tie.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Alusine Koroma’s Orihuela win RFEF playoff first-leg 

On Sunday, Sierra Leone International Alusine Koroma featured for 83 minutes as Orihuela CF defeated CF Badalona Futur 1-0 in their Segunda RFEF promotion playoff first-leg tie. 

In a closely contested match at Estadio Municipal Los Arcos stadium, Juanmi Callejón scored the sole goal for the home team, providing them with an advantage in the promotion race.

The stadium atmosphere was incredible, with fans offering their undivided support to the team captained by Sergi Guilló.

Koroma has played in 26 matches across all competitions since he joined the club.  He will be hoping to make a significant contribution 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. This result has led them to the playoff final.

Striker Kei Kamara helps Los Angeles secure US Cup last 16 spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Kei Kamara helps Los Angeles secure US Cup last 16 spot

Los Angeles secured their place in the Round of 16 in the US Open Cup by defeating Las Vegas Lights 3-1 at Cashman Field on Wednesday night. 

Sierra Leone’s Kei Kamara recorded his first goal for the Black & Gold with a header – just two minutes into the second half. Timothy Tillman crossed the ball from the left wing, and Kamara’s finish found the back of the net.

In the 56th minute, Shawn Smart scored a goal for Las Vegas to level the score. However, LAFC continued to create chances, and in the 70th minute, Cristian Olivera broke the tie by tapping Omar Campos’ deflected cross into the goal.

Olivera then secured LAFC’s win with his second goal in the 91st minute, making it 3-1.

Despite head coach Steve Cherundolo receiving a straight red card in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, LAFC maintained their composure throughout the match.

LAFC will host Loudoun United, a Division II team in the USL Championship, in two weeks at BMO Stadium. 

 

https://twitter.com/LAFC/status/1788430121189384336