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.

Egyptian side ZED FC Signs Sierra Leonean defender Amara Keita
by Football Sierra Leone

Egyptian side Zed FC sign Sierra Leonean defender Amara Keita

August 7, 2025 — Cairo, Egypt —Highlyrated Sierra Leonean defender Amara Keita from SLIFA FC has officially signed for Egyptian Premier League big players ZED FC. (ZedFc Photo)

Keita is well-known for his defensive leadership, exact tackling, and intimidating presence. As ZED FC gets ready for a much anticipated season, he adds toughness, calm, and experience to their backline; he was instrumental in SLIFA’s defence during the Sierra Leone Premier League.

“This is a proud moment for me,” Keita said during the unveiling. “I’m ready to give my all for this club and to represent Sierra Leone at the highest level.”

Official ZED FC lauded Keita, calling him “a defender who combines intelligence with physicality — precisely the kind of player we require to contend for honors.”

His agreement is another major milestone for Sierra Leonean football, drawing attention to the country’s increasing reputation for producing top players.

Keita was a member of the Sierra Leone U20 team that captured many across Africa during the U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt.

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/1953716380617842970

First leg UEFA Champions League defeat for Juma Bah's OGC Nice
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

First leg UEFA Champions League defeat for Juma Bah’s OGC Nice

In their first leg UEFA Champions League preliminary qualifying round, Juma Bah of Sierra Leone and OGC Nice fell 2-0 to Benfica.

With a sellout crowd, the game was held at Allianz Riviera, creating a vibrant environment. Despite a competitive first half and a few good opportunities, Nice battled to close.

Franjo Ivanovic scored first for Benfica in the 53rd minute; Florentino then added a long-range goal in the 88th minute.

Bah started his first UEFA Champions League qualifying first leg and played the full throttle of the contest as Benfica lived up to their reputation as a traditional giant of continental football by overcoming their hosts in a superb atmosphere at the Allianz Riviera on Wednesday night.

Cheering their team on from first minute to last, the sellout crowd—present for the first competitive match of the 2025/26 season—cheered their team.

Though not expected to triumph against the European superpower, Les Aiglons brought the enthusiasm of their fans onto the field during an extremely competitive first half.

From set pieces, Franck Haise’s team also threatened; Melvin Bard’s shot went off target at 10 minutes, and on the counterattack, Terem Moffi wasted a great opportunity at 16 minutes.

Nice has to make up a two-goal loss in the second leg next week at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.

Juma Bah set for UEFA Champions League debut with OGC Nice
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Juma Bah set for UEFA Champions League debut with OGC Nice

On loan from Manchester City, Sierra Leone defender Juma Bah is expected to play in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League third qualifying first leg round as Nice plays Benfica at the Allianz Riviera.

Bah, 19, who joined on a season-long loan, has been handed an opportunity to continue his progression with the French side. Nice, this will be their first competitive outing of the season, with the Ligue 1 campaign not getting underway for another two weeks.

A few days after they visit Lisbon for the second leg, where they hope they will be leaving having caused a mini-upset, Franck Haise’s men will welcome Toulouse here on August 16.

Although finishing fourth in Ligue 1 last season, Nice has two rounds of qualifying to establish their UEFA tournament participation for this season, and they have been given the most difficult tasks in Benfica first up.

Nice is considered the underdog in this match, especially after a difficult European season last year, where they only earned three points from eight league phase games, finishing second-bottom in the Europa League.

This continues a trend of underwhelming European performances, with the club securing only one knockout victory against Sheriff Tiraspol over the past decade. The minimum Nice will achieve is a spot in the Conference League, but they are aiming for a remote push for the Champions League.

The winner will face the victor of the Fenerbahce vs. Feyenoord match, making it a tough challenge for all teams aiming for the league phase.

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo speaks ahead of new campaign
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo speaks ahead of new campaign

Following an injury-free preseason and two goals in Rovers’ five games thus far this summer, Augustus Kargbo told the club’s website that he enters the new season with a good outlook.

Blackburn Rovers will start their new campaign against West Bromwich Albion at the difficult Hawthorns Stadium on the 9th of August, something Kargbo is looking forward to.

With a curling effort beyond Gonzalo Crettaz in the home side’s goal early in the second half, the Sierra Leone international scored Rovers’ goal in the 3-1 defeat at Eredivisie club NEC Nijmegen at the weekend.

Although the attacker’s second shot in preseason was insufficient for Rovers to finish their summer program with a fifth straight triumph, Kargbo claims his morale is good going into this weekend’s opening day match against West Bromwich Albion.

Kargbo, 25, noted he is feeling good and looking forward to the start of the new English Championship season.

“I am feeling great right now, both physically and intellectually. Though it’s just preseason, I’m already looking forward to the league season kickoff.”

My first preseason with the Head Coach and the team has been difficult, although I have accomplished it. Having come through it injury-free following last season’s hamstring problem, I am now ready and hopeful.

Both on and off the pitch, preseason is crucial since it helps us to know one another better. Preseason is finished; preparation for the next season starts today.”

Striker Augustine Williams nets in win over Rhode Island FC
by FSL News

Striker Augustine Williams nets in win over Rhode Island FC

Sierra Leone International Augustine Williams scored his fourth USL Championship goal of the season on August 2, 2025, in a match at Highmark Stadium, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds prevailed over Rhode Island FC 2-0.

Contributing to the Hounds’ unbeaten streak of eight games and their sixth straight victory in USL Championship action, Williams and Bertin Jacquesson scored in the second half.

In league play, goalkeeper Eric Dick had his eighth shutout. Physicality characterised the game, which led to several bookings and the red card for Rhode Island’s JJ Williams in the 69th minute.

Next on August 9, the Riverhounds will welcome Orange County SC.

Scoring summary

PIT — Augi Williams 51’

PIT — Bertin Jacquesson 57’ (Beto Ydrach)

Mustapha Bundu's Hannover start new campaign with a win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu’s Hannover start new campaign with a win

Hannover 96 began the new season in the German second division with a victory, securing three points on the opening matchday. Sierra Leone international Mustapha Bundu made his debut, featuring for 70 minutes.  Photo: Swen Pförtner/dpa

Under head coach Christian Titz, Hannover featured eight new starting signings, including debutant Hayate Matsuda.

They started the match aggressively but had to wait until the 22nd minute for a clear chance, when FCK captain Marlon Ritter missed a long shot.

Hannover’s first real opportunity came moments later when Husseyn Chakroun set up Mustapha Bundu, whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Julian Krahl.

Bundu on the spotlight on his league debut

In the 23rd minute, Hannover’s new winger, Mustapha Bundu, created the first notable chance of the game. The English attacker was the standout player on the pitch during the first half and had another great opportunity to give Lower Saxony the lead just before halftime. However, Kaiserslautern’s goalkeeper, Julian Krahl, made another crucial save.

Alongside Bundu, Hannover’s new Japanese striker, Hayate Matsuda, also made a strong impression. The active, attacking style of football that coach Titz desired was evident in many phases of the game. However, the hosts often struggled with consistency in their performance.

Hannover finally took the lead in the 74th minute when Noel Aseko, who came on at halftime, received a pass from Virgil Ghita and scored his first professional goal, making it 1-0.  

In the 90th minute, Hannover sought to extend their lead. Substitute Daisuke Yokota set up Jannik Rochelt, but his shot was blocked. The final whistle confirmed Hannover 96’s 1-0 victory over 1. FC Kaiserslautern in Titz’s debut match, earning them their first three points at home.

Hannover 1-0 Kaiserslautern

Goal: 1-0 Aséko Nkili 75′

Kumba Brima set for UEFA Champions League tie against FC Flora
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kumba Brima set for UEFA Champions League tie against FC Flora

Sierra Leone international Kumba Zainab Brima is set to compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with FC Riga’s women’s team. They will face FC Flora in the semi-finals of Group I today in Luxembourg at 14:00 Estonian time.

Brima, who has been a key player since joining Riga’s ladies, has a valuable opportunity to showcase her skills on the big stage. The second semi-final of the tournament features Racing FC Union Luxembourg against AEK Athens at 20:00.

The winners will advance to the final, while the losers will compete for third place, with only the tournament champion qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League proper.

FC Flora midfielder Karola Purgats expressed confidence despite prior travel issues, emphasizing the team’s strong desire to win. She noted a previous loss to Riga FC but remains focused on the semi-final.

Coach Ljubov Maksimova highlighted the effective collaboration with head coach Aleksandra Ševoldajeva, who brings international experience and strategic insights.

The team is focusing on game situations and improving confidence. FC Flora has 18 players available, but Kristina Tullus and Eva-Maria Niidu are unlikely to participate due to injuries.

Mustapha Bundu's Hannover beat Cagliari in a test Friendly
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu’s Hannover beat Cagliari in a friendly

In their last test before the new season, Mustpah Bundu’s Hannover 96 defeated Italian Serie A club Cagliari Calcio 2-0 at the Heinz von Heiden Arena. The Sierra Leone International played for 760 minutes of the contest.

Hannover 96 will kick-start their Bundesliga 2 campaign against Kaiserslautern on August 3rd at their Heinz von Heiden-Arena at 12:30 pm.

Bundu was Hannover 96’s tenth summer signing: Attacker Mustapha Bundu joins the Maschsee on a free transfer from English second division club Plymouth Argyle.

He arrived with a 16-goal assist in the Championship last season. The Sierra Leone international signs a three-year contract until June 30, 2028.

Osman Kakay makes Niké Liga debut in Kosice defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Osman Kakay makes Niké Liga debut in Kosice defeat

Sierra Leone international Osman Kakay played his first FK Košice Slovakia Niké Liga match on Sunday against Podbrezová at the ZELPO Aréna, but the team suffered a 3-1 defeat.

Four adjustments to the starting lineup made by Coach Roman Skuhravý were in contrast to the cup game versus Grodno. Three changes were made in the midfield: Kakay, Jakúbek and Dimun replaced the trio of Madleňák, Zsigmond and Čerepkai. Jones changed Mijanić in attack.

Following a 3-2 loss in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League versus Neman Grodno from Belarus on Thursday, this marked their second straight defeat. In this game, Kakay, 27, made his first start for the club.

In the rematch of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League, set for 8:00 p.m. on neutral ground in Szeged, Hungary, Thursday, July 31, 2025, they will face the Belarusian Neman Grodno next.

Defender Abraham Kanu joins Forest Green on loan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Abraham Kanu joins Forest Green on loan

Forest Green has confirmed the signing of Sierra Leone defender Abraham Kanu on a season-long loan from Reading for the 2025/26 season.

The 20-year-old defender signed his first professional contract with Reading in July 2024. During the 2024/25 season, he made 10 appearances in League One for the Royals, in addition to six matches in cup competitions.

Kanu also played 34 matches in the U18 Premier League. Having progressed through the ranks at Reading, Kanu started his football career in their youth setup, eventually moving up to the under-18 team before signing his professional contract in 2024.

On the signing, Manager Robbie Savage stated, “He’s a fantastic player, and Mark (Bowen) knows a lot about him from his time at Reading. He’s big, physical, and can play in a number of positions. He comes with a good pedigree, has great pace, and possesses good technical ability. He should add a lot to the team.