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.

Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Seattle Sounders draft Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah

Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.

Fofanah, 22, who has been a pivotal player with the Portland Pilots, has been handed a fresh start in the Major League Soccer ranks. It’s the first time the Pilots have had three players taken in the same draft.

Fofanah finished the year with nine goals and six assists for 24 points, with his goal and point totals ranking second, respectively, in the WCC. 

He was named Fofanah in the All-WCC Second Team selection and also earned CSC Academic All-District honours.

Fofanah, 22, appeared in 54 matches (30 starts) for Portland from 2020-2023, recording 16 goals and 11 assists. 

The forward was an All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention as a freshman and made the All-WCC Freshman Team after scoring four goals and adding two assists in 2020. 

Fofanah scored an additional three goals from 2021-2022 before scoring nine goals in 2023, including a brace against UC Santa Barbara on September 1. His performance in 2023 earned him All-WCC Second Team honours as Portland finished third in the WCC.

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Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.
Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.
Abu Kamara brace helps Inform Portsmouth defeat Shrewsbury Town
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara’s brace helps Portsmouth defeat Shrewsbury

A brace from Sierra Leone native Abu Kamara on either side of the game was enough for John Mousinho’s side to take all three points as they move seven points clear at the top of League One.

Shrewsbury Town suffered a 3-0 home defeat to in-form Portsmouth on a disappointing afternoon at the Croud Meadow on Saturday.

Despite a solid opening 45 minutes from the home team, it was Portsmouth, who took the lead at the end of the first half through their loan striker Abu Kamara.

His goal came when Pack launched a long throw to the back post and Kamara bundled the ball into the net.

Pompey doubled their lead in the 62nd minute when Lane cut in from the left to reach the near post and lay the ball off to Pack, who poked it in from close range.

Shrewsbury came close to pulling a goal back with under 20 minutes remaining. Mal Benning fed a ball into fellow substitute Max Mata in the box. The striker held off a defender before shooting, but his effort went over.

Kamara completed his brace to record his sixth of the season with six minutes remaining through Christian Saydee’s assists as he rifled the ball into the net.

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Jaydan Kamarson pens first pro contrcat with Manchester Unityed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jaydan Kamason pens first Manchester United pro-deal

Sierra Leone and Manchester United prospect Jaydan Kamason, 16, signed his first professional contract.

Emerging Talent Programme (ETP) graduate Jaydan Kamason became the first player from the scheme to sign a professional contract with top English football club Manchester United. 

“I am proud to have signed my first pro contract with this massive club. I am truly blessed. Thanful, towards my family for the continued support and those who have helped me throughout the journey,” The youngster posted on his Instagram account.

The versatile defender started his playing career in the United’s youth ranks. At age 10, Kamason joined ETP while playing for a local grassroots team, Stockport Vikings.

Because he has been impressive, according to the coaches, he made the jump to the main Academy group, which he has been a part of for the last six years.

United pointed out in their statement, “While the Academy does not normally announce a player’s first professional contract, an exception has been made in this case to celebrate the success of the ETP in creating opportunities for children across Greater Manchester to develop their talent.”

The club confirmed that, alongside Kamason, a total of 46 players have gone on to register as a player. An additional 350 have registered at other professional clubs.

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Portsmouth Abu Kamara's injury update
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Portsmouth Abu Kamara’s injury update 

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has confirmed striker Abu Kamara, who is on loan from Norwich, was injured on Monday. 

The Sierra Leone native damaged his ankle following a challenge in their 2-0 over Bolton Wanderers. He attempted to play on but had to be replaced by Gavin Whyte moments later.

The on-loan Norwich winger had to be substituted just after the hour mark during Pompey’s top-of-the-table clash with Bolton, which they won 2-0.

The Blues will assess the forward’s injury in greater detail on Tuesday. In the meantime, Blues boss John Mousinho was remaining positive.

John Mousinho told Sky Sports: “He just rolled his ankle. There was a bit of contact there, and he’s rolled his ankle.

‘He can put his wait through it, he’s got an ice bag on it and it’s one of those we’re going to look at tomorrow and see how it settles down but hoepfully he’s fine.’

The win means they maintained their position at the League One summit after scoring late in each half to beat in-form Bolton at Fratton Park.

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Steven Caulker eyes Sierra Leone job after obtaining Uefa license
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker eyes Sierra Leone job after obtaining Uefa license

Sierra Leone defender and ex-England International Steven Caulker has secured his Uefa B coaching Badge with the English FA.

The former Liverpool and Tottenham defender, who was a pivotal player for Sierra Leone during the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, says he will pursue Uefa A next year.

The one-time England defender, who is presently transforming his playing career to coaching, has admitted coaching is the way forward.

“In terms of my aspiration, my ambition is to be a manager. Maybe, one day, to be a Sierra Leone manager. I would love that. I would love the oppurtunity too bring in young Sierra Leaoneans in to play attractive style of football,” Caulker told Football Sierra Leone.

“Next year, I will start my Uefa A – this is something I am working towards. Right now, I kind of going into the transition from playing into management role.”

On his present playing career

“The option in January is a player-manager role. I want to solicit playing football, maybe, for another year or two. I feel my passion is in coaching – player-manager. I’m finding the right path, the right setup and the right ambition.”

The UEFA B Licence is to help coaches understand the demands of the game and how to meet the needs of players as they build a deeper understanding of their various roles and responsibilities within the team.

This course has replaced The FA Level 3 in Coaching Football.

Caulker joined EFL Championship side Wigan Athletic in January on a contract until the end of the season.

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Alpha Conteh happy with Lokomotiv Plovdiv's run of form
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alpha Conteh happy with Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s run of form

Sierra Leone International Alpha Conteh has admitted he is pleased with his present playing time and run of form in the Bulgarian efbet League.

The attacking midfielder scored his fourth goal of the season in Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s 3-0 hammering of Pirin Blagoevgrad on Monday.

After a goalless first 45 minutes, Conteh’s goal came in the 51st minute when he received a cross from the right to score with an acrobatic beautiful opener.

Lokomotiv Plovdiv went on to score two more goals from D. Babacar and G. Minchev in the 53rd and 63rd, respectively, as they registered their eleventh win of the campaign.

“I am happy – I am grateful for my performances so far. I want to keep the focus on helping the team as much as possible,” Conteh to Football Sierra Leone.  He added, “I was happy to be named Man of the Match in a tough game against Pirin Blagoevgrad.”

Monday’s victory is their fiRst after they suffered a three-straight defeat in all competitions.

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Lokomotiv Plovdiv hammered Pirin Blagoevgrad 3-0 in the Bulgarian League on Monday.
Lokomotiv Plovdiv hammered Pirin Blagoevgrad 3-0 in the Bulgarian League on Monday.
Amadou Bakayoko nets fifth of the season in Dundee's defeat at Ibrox
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amadou Bakayoko nets fifth of the season in Dundee’s defeat at Ibrox

Amadou Bakayoko scored Dundee’s opening goal to record his fifth of the season as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.

The Sierra Leone International was at the right place to tap in a leaking ball, but Rangers came from behind to beat Dundee 3-1 and move five points behind Celtic, despite Jose Cifuentes’ first-half red card after a VAR check.

In sixteen appearances, Bakayoko scored his fifth of the season since joining the Scottish side on loan from Forest Green, but the home side fought back to score three goals before halftime. 

Cyriel Dessers equalised, and a few minutes later, Tavernier put Rangers ahead from the penalty spot following a VAR review. 

Abdallah Sima made it three before Jose Cifuentes was red-carded after another VAR review on the stroke of halftime. 

After the recess, Dundee improved as they enjoyed the large majority of possession, but Rangers held onto their lead.

The defeats meant Dundee sat seventh after round fifteen of the Scottish Premier League. 

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A great eye-opener to football: Kei Kamara after his USA B License
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

A great eye-opener to football: Kei Kamara after his US B License

The former Sierra Leone International striker Kei Kamara could not hide his joy after earning his first coaching B-Licence from the United States Soccer Federation.

The 39-year-old striker, who’s third all-time in the MLS scoring chart (144 goals), speaking to Football Sierra Leone, discussed his six months of coaching learning experience. He confirmed the news when he posted his certificate on social media on Friday. 

Kamara, who joined Chicago in a trade from CF Montréal as he secured his 10th MLS club, acknowledged the ‘eye-opening side of football offfield’.

 “The whole experience was a great eye-opening about football,” Kei Kamara lamented. When you play, you see the game differently. When you start to coach, obviously, perspective changes.”

“I loved the prpocess of building trainings, knowing the reason why we going into trainings day by day is challenging yourself as a coach.”

Being a coach, you never want to be comfortable. So, there is some part of being a player that also comes toward that. It depends on how you have worked as a player and as an athlete – you challenge yourself, which drives you when you become a coach. 

“It feels like school all over again. After completing this badge, I now know I have more experience coaching than I thought I did because of my experience playing professional football. Because I thought i knew a lot more because of the years I played. But, no, after six months of course work, I have learned a lot more than I played for all those years.”

This license is designed for coaches looking to lead U13 or higher level teams in a competitive environment with a more intermediate to advanced skill set. Any coach with their B license will be able to apply and evaluate player development within the game and optimize the learning environment for their team. Among other requirements, coaches will be required to run three training sessions per week and perform thorough video analysis throughout the process.

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Fofin Turay all smiles as his Groningen side wrap up preparaation for Telstar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fofin Turay trains ahead of Groningen, Telstar Eerste tie

The 19-year-old Sierra Leone native Fofin Turay trained with the first team in their final preparation as In-form Groningen set to face SC Telstar in match day eighten of the Dutch Eerste Divisie on Friday at Euroborg.

After 17 matches, Groningen stood in ninth place on 25 points. They won their last Eerste Divisie match 2-1 at home against VVV, extending their unbeaten streak to five.

Groningen won the last encounter between the teams, triumphing 3-0 in their match against Telstar.

Telstar drew 0-0 against Utrecht II at Sportcomplex Zoudenbalch in their last encounter, leaving them in 18th place on 14 points.

In the final third, Kevin van Veen has been a key player for Groningen this season. The striker is the side’s leading scorer with five goals.

Telstar’s Zakaria Eddahchouri, who has scored on nine occasions, including three match-opening goals, is tied for fourth in the league’s scoring charts in 2023/2024.

On home soil this season, Groningen has secured 15 points (W4 D3 L2) from a possible 27 on offer in nine Eerste Divisie contests. 

Telstar will seek to address a poor run of results on the road this season with two draws, six losses, and just one win in league-away contests.

In their last six league matches, Groningen have won three, drawn two and lost one. Telstar, meanwhile, has won two, drawn one and lost three in their last six.

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Josh Koroma returns to Huddersfield's action in Swansea draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Josh Koroma features in Huddersfield’s draw with Swansea

Josh Koroma gained valuable minutes in Huddersfield Town’s 1-1 draw at Swansea City, his third match since returning from Injury.

The Sierra Leonean native was making his sixteen appearances for the English Championship side. 

Koroma, 25, was subbed on in the 67th minute to replace Daniel Carl Ward as both teams played to a 1-1 at Swansea City.

Charlie Patino’s stoppage-time goal saw struggling Swansea City salvage a point against Huddersfield Town.

Darren Moore’s Terriers had looked set to hold on for victory after Swansea defender Ben Cabango turned Jaheim Headley’s cross into his net early on, but Patino denied the visitors maximum points.

As a result, they remain 21st in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone, with Swansea a point better off in 18th.

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