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Senegal's Jaraaf ease past Lions in CAF Confed preliminary
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Jaraaf ease past Lions in CAF Confed preliminary

On Sunday, Senegal’s Jaraaf Dakar secured their spot in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup with a 3-0 victory over Sierra Leone’s East End Lions.

The “Green and Whites” delivered a strong performance, with Souleymane Cissé netting a hat-trick, including a goal just 46 seconds into the match at the Stade Lat-Dior in Thies, Senegal.

A dominant 4-0 aggregate victory earned them a match against Cote d’Ivoire’s Racing Club d’Abidjan in the next round in September.

In another match, Togo’s ASCK managed to win 2-0 against Niger’s AS FAN after a challenging first-leg draw.

This victory set up an exciting matchup with Ivorians ASEC Mimosas for the “Kozah Drivers.”

Sunday's CAF Confederation Cup results
Sunday's CAF Confederation Cup results
First-leg Confederation Cup defeat for hosts East End Lions
by FSL News

East End Lions suffer first-leg Confederation Cup defeat

On Sunday, ASC Jaraaf from Senegal secured a 1-0 victory over East End Lions in the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Southern Arena. (Photo Credit EE Lions)

After an intriguing first hour of the contest – substitute Papa Souleymane Dione accounted for Jaraaf’s goal in the 77th minute. But, before their goal, they missed a penalty in the first half and hit the woodwork.

Head coach Malick Daf mentioned that despite the missed penalty and hitting the woodwork. “The team showcased a strong effort against the home side, who had the advantage of local support.”

Daf and his side have immediately turned their attention to the return fixtures next weekend in Senegal. “We’ll return home to prepare for the next match, knowing we will be facing a strong opponent.”

Coach Daf also commented on the missed penalty, saying that even the best players can miss a penalty and emphasized that what matters is the overall result.

East End Lions’ head coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara described the result as ‘disappointing’ while expressing hope to overturn the result in Senegal in the upcoming game.

The second leg is scheduled for Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Stade Lat Dior in Senegal.

CAF Confederation Cup first leg preliminary results
CAF Confederation Cup first leg preliminary results
Bo Rangers draw 1-1 with San Pedro set up a tense return fixture
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bo Rangers draw 1-1 with San Pedro to set up tense return fixture

In the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League preliminary round, Bo Rangers, the champions of Sierra Leone, tied 1-1 with San Pedro from Ivory Coast in the first leg on Saturday.

The first-leg tie showcased an intense battle through the 90th minute at the Southern Arena in Bo City. The home team scored first in the 48th minute through Mohamadu Lamin, causing excitement among the fans.

However, they were unable to capitalize on their lead. The Ivorian team equalized through Issouf Dosso in the 73rd minute, resulting in a draw.

The return fixture is scheduled for next weekend, expected to be an exciting match as the winner will advance to the second preliminary round.

In other matches, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia achieved a 2-1 victory away against FC Vitalo from Burundi, while Namibia’s Africa Stars secured a 1-0 win over Gaborone Galaxy from Botswana.

Raja Casablanca defeated Garde Nationale 2-1 in Niger. Saber Bougrine opened the scoring for Raja Casablanca in the 20th minute, but their opponents equalized in the 37th minute.

However, Marouane Zila restored Raja Casablanca’s lead in the 66th minute, securing a 2-1 win for the Moroccan club.

Some results of the first-leg matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Preliminary Round:

– FC Villa Jogo 1-2 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
– FC Vitalo 0-4 Young Africans
– Africa Stars 1-0 Gaborone Galaxy
– Ngazi Platinum 0-0 AS Maniema
– Saint-Louis 0-1 Sagrada Esperança
– Garde Nationale 1-2 Raja Casablanca
– Red Star 0-0 Djoliba Bamako
– Stade d’Abidjan 1-1 FC Teungueth
– Bo Rangers 1-1 San Pedro
– Douanes du Burkina Faso 0-0 Cotonou du Bénin
– Al Nasr 0-0 Al-Merreikh

East End Lions ready for ASC Jaraaf's Interclub cracker
by FSL News

East End Lions ready for ASC Jaraaf’s Interclub cracker

After arriving in Bo on Tuesday, the team has been focused and determined. We look forward to the challenge we’ll face this Sunday in the CAF Confederation Cup, stated East End Lions’ head coach, Mohamed Lamin Kamara.

The East End giant side is gearing up for their Inter-Club first preliminary rounds match against ASC Jaraaf this Sunday at the Southern Arena Stadium in Bo City.

Their challenger, Senegal’s outfit ASC Jaraaf, safely arrived in Sierra Leone ahead of their contest against one of Sierra Leone’s most decorated sides, East End Lions.

Lions have been training rigorously at the Bo Coronation field as the players, under coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara, are working hard as our team prepares for the upcoming inter-club contest.

“We have been working on our tactics for this game. It’s going to be a difficult game. We have studied our opponents well; they are a good team, but we are prepared to showcase ourselves,” Coach Kamara explained. “We want to do our best for Sierra Leone – we hope everything will work in our favour. Everyone is happy, relaxed, and in good spirits.”

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Upcoming Fixtures – CLICK HERE

Bo Rangers optimistic ahead of San Pedro Champions League tie
by David Lebbie

Bo Rangers optimistic ahead of San Pedro Champions League tie

Sierra Leonean champions Bo Rangers’ head coach has spoken ahead of their CAF Champions League Interclub 2024/25 Preliminary first leg at the Southern Arena in Bo against San Pedro of Ivory Coast.

The much-anticipated CAF Interclub tie is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, at 4 pm local time before the second leg next weekend in Ivory Coast. 

Providing background on his team’s preparation, John Keister stated that after winning the league, the players were given a two-week break. Upon their return, they have been working hard, and the coach is pleased with their response and efforts during training.

He said the team played some practice games to see how well they were doing in different situations. Keister stressed how important these matches were for checking the players’ and team’s condition before the CAF competition.

“We are satisfied with the team’s performance so far, and there is a great sense of optimism within the team as we head into the qualifiers,” Keister stated.

He acknowledged that Bo Rangers has previously struggled in the competition but expressed confidence in the team’s strength this time around. The coach emphasized the team’s determination to achieve positive results.

“The players are very optimistic and mentally strong. We are pleased with our preparation,” Keister said, acknowledging the historical challenges Sierra Leonean teams have faced against Ivorian counterparts.

However, he expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome these obstacles.

Mogbewmo Queens secure win to keep qualifying hopes alive
by David Lebbie

Mogbewmo Queens secure win to keep qualifying hopes alive

On Thursday, Mogbwemo Queens, the Sierra Leone Champions, secured a decisive 2-1 victory against Determine Girls at the Southern Arena in a WAFU A CAF Champions League match.

This win firmly maintains their tournament hopes, as they have maintained an unbeaten record in the qualifiers after playing three games.

In the 6th minute of the match, Nadi Quadé, a player from Guinea-Bissau, scored the first goal for Mogbwemo Queens with an outstanding assist from Sembu. This goal marked a significant milestone for Quadé as it was her first continental goal.

Despite Determine Girls equalizing in the 35th minute after extensive pressure on the home side, Mogbwemo Queens emerged victorious after captain Kadiatu M. Kamara secured the win with a long-range set piece, earning her the Woman of the Match award.

This win revived Mogbwemo Queens’ campaign in the qualifiers. If they win their final match against Red Scorpions and Determine Girls draw, Mogbwemo Queens will qualify from Zone A for the CAF proper.

Determine Girls coach Patience J Gwah expressed some disappointment with the result but promised that her team would return strong in their last game on Sunday.

Adama Paulina Suma, the coach of Mogbwemo Queens, applauded her players for defeating one of the tournament favourites, emphasizing that they are here for a reason.

Suma’s side has drawn two matches and won one, while Determine Girls have managed two wins and a draw.

The host team will play Gambian Champions Red Scorpions, and Determine Girls will face Senegal’s Ladies of Madina on Sunday.                   

Mogbewmo Queens beat Determine Girls to keep qualifying hopes alive
Mogbewmo Queens beat Determine Girls to keep qualifying hopes alive
Mogbewmo Queens in hunt for first win in WAFU women's qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mogbewmo Queens in hunt for first win in WAFU Women’s qualifier

Sierra Leone’s champions, Mogbewmo Queens are seeking their first win in the ongoing CAF WAFU A Women’s Champions League qualifiers, which they must achieve against the table-topping Liberian team, Determine Girls, at the Southern Arena on Thursday.

The host’s hopes of qualification will be in jeopardy if they fail to win, having drawn their first two matches in the ongoing CAF WAFU A Women’s Champions League qualifiers.

Mogbwemo Queens played to a goalless draw in the tournament opener against AS Mandé. Queens were then held to a 2-2 draw by the Senegalese Aigles de la Médina in their second match.

On Monday, Liberia’s Determine Girls secured a notable 3-1 victory over defending champions AS Mandé on matchday three of the WAFU A Women’s Champions League qualifying tournament in Bo, Sierra Leone.

This victory has propelled the 2022 regional champions to the top of the standings under the guidance of coach Patience J. Gwah, creating a significant lead over their main rivals.

On the same matchday, Sierra Leone’s Champions Mogbewmo Queens was held to a 2-2 draw against Senegal’s Aigles de la Médina, who are now on four points after.

The resilient Mogbewmo Queens side is still without a win, but with two matchdays remaining, the competition for the coveted spot in the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League is intensifying.

So far, the tournament has been full of surprises. Determine Girls’ rise to the top is the most notable.

Détermine Girls, the 2022 zonal champions, lead with six points after two wins – Aigles de la Médina and AS Mandé follow with four points each.

Mogbwemo Queens are fourth with two points, while Red Scorpion failed to score in the qualifying tournament for the CAF Women’s Champions League final phase.

Today's matches in CAF WAFU A Women's Champions League qualifiers
Today's matches in CAF WAFU A Women's Champions League qualifiers
Emergency Appeals Committee reverse Freetown City's judgement
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Intriguing twist in Sierra Leone Premier League relegation battle

Freetown City and Wilberforce Strikers have been granted a replay by the Premier League Emergency Appeals Committee, overturning the previous decision.

However, no date was mentioned to replay the remaining minutes of June’s 30th top-tier football contest, which was later abandoned due to chaos.

The issue began on June 30, the second-to-last day of the league. A disputed penalty was awarded to Wilberforce Strikers in the 52nd minute while FCFC was leading 1-0. This resulted in the match being stopped and eventually called off by the referee.

A replay win for Freetown City will mean Real Republicans are relegated from the Sierra Leone top-tier men’s football league.

The previous Ruling – On July 19, 2024, the Disciplinary Committee awarded three points and two goals to Wilberforce Strikers, claiming that FCFC fans, officials, and players had behaved improperly. FCFC denies this claim.

A recap of the Emergency Appeals Committee’s decision

The Emergency Appeals Committee’s report states that the remaining minutes of the match between Freetown City Football Club and Wilberforce Strikers should be played according to Rule 23.2 to Rule 23.2.8 of the SLFA Premier League Rules and Regulations 2023.

The report recommends lifting the fine imposed on Abdul K. Turay, the captain of Freetown City Football Club. The Committee did not find evidence supporting the claim that he assaulted the referee, besides the referee’s report.

New Premier League Emergency Appeals Committee ruling in full in case between Freetown City and Wilberforce Strikers
Southern Arena ready to host San Pedro as Rangers bolster squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Southern Arena ready to host San Pedro as Rangers bolster squad

Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone’s reigning champions, have bolstered their team with the season’s top scorer, Musa Noah Kamara, and six new players.

In addition, the Confederation of African Football has approved the Southern Arena to host next month’s Interclub first-leg match against Ivorian side San Pedro, Football Sierra Leone Understands.  

The new additions to Bo Rangers’ squad include young left-back Idrissa Sesay from Freetonians SLIFA, versatile defender Edmund Momoh, Lamin Conteh from FC Johansen, goalkeeper Abubakarr Kamara from Wusum Stars, George Mattar, who was in Sweden and Michael Brima from Alpha Lions in Kenema, making the squad stronger – as they prepare for the upcoming CAF Champions League campaign in August.

Musa, the leading goal scorer this season, scoring 15 goals and winning the Golden Boot, has re-joined his former club and is the first player to achieve this award with three different clubs.

Bo Rangers will face the Ivorian team San Pedro in a crucial match during the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League next month for a place in the next round.

The tie will occur between the 16th and 18th of August, followed by a trip to Ivory Coast the following weekend.

It’s worth noting that since 1989, when Mighty Blackpool reached the Quarterfinal stage of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, no Sierra Leonean team has progressed to the group stages of Interclub competitions.

These upcoming competitions will provide a chance for Rangers and East End Lions to make a significant impact in continental football and rewrite history.

Sierra Leone Interclub representatives await CAF clearance to host matches
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone await clearance to host CAF Interclub matches

Sorie Ibrahim Sesay, the Director of Competitions and a CAF-certified stadium Inspector for the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), diligently inspected the Southern Arena on Saturday, July 20th, to ensure it meets the standards required for CAF approval.

Sierra Leone stadiums were not included in the initial list of approved stadiums by CAF for the 2024/25 Inter-Club competitions.

In August, Champions Bo Rangers FC and East End Lions Football Club are scheduled to participate in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, respectively.

There is a chance that these matches could occur in Sierra Leone. This will depend on the review of the pre-inspection report by CAF in the coming days, which will determine the eligibility of the Southern Arena stadium for these important matches.

In the preliminary stages of the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup, East End Lions will play against ASC Jaraaf from Senegal, and Bo Rangers will play against San-Pédro from Ivory Coast in the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League.

The first leg matches are scheduled for August 16th-18th – with the return fixtures taking place the following weekend.