Category: Sport News

Ivorian Wilfred Zaha makes Olympique Lyonnais debut in win at Toulouse
by Football Sierra Leone

Ivorian Wilfred Zaha makes Lyon debut in win at Toulouse

Wilfried Zaha, the former Crystal Palace and Manchester United winger, made his debut for Lyon in their 2-1 victory over Toulouse on Sunday. In August, the Ivorian international joined the French club on a season-long loan from Galatasaray.

Lyon took the lead with a goal from Yann Gboho in the 14th minute, but an own goal from Lyon’s Rasmus Schmidt Nicolaisen leveled the scoreline. At halftime, the score was 1-1.

The match was still open, and Lyon appeared to strengthen as time passed. In the end, Belgian Malick Martin Fofana secured the win for the visitors with a last-minute goal.

Zaha, 31, had left Palace for Galatasaray last summer and made 42 appearances for the Turkish club. However, he was mainly a substitute towards the end of the season and did not play in any of Galatasaray’s four league or Champions League games this season.

Lyon secured their first win of the season with a 4-3 victory against Strasbourg on Friday.

Key Moments

Toulouse Municpal Stadium

L1 (MD6): Toulouse FC – Olympique Lyonnais

Referee: Gaël Angoula

Yellow cards: Veretout (11′); Caleta-Car (48′) to OL. Dønnum (58′), Casseres (88′) to Toulouse

Goals: Gboho (14′) for Toulouse. Nicolaisen (csc) (28′), Fofana (90+6) for OL.

Toulouse FC: Rest – Sidibé, Nicolaisen, McKenzie – Kamanzi, Sierro (Cap.) (Genreau 90+3′), Casseres, Dönnum (Suazo 67′) – Babicka (Aboukhlal 64′), Magri (King 64′), Gboho (Zajc 90+2′). Coach: Carles Martinez Novell

OL: Perri – Kumbedi, Mata (Maitland-Niles 88′), Caleta-Car, Abner – Veretout (Cherki 54′), Tessmann (Tolisso 67′), Caqueret (Cap.) – Zaha (Fofana 54′), Mikautadze (Lacazette 67′), Benrahma. Coach: Pierre Sage

FIFA Disciplinary Committee Sanctions FECAFOOT boss Samuel Eto’o
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

FIFA Disciplinary Committee Sanctions FECAFOOT boss Samuel Eto’o

Cameroonian football icon Samuel Eto’o has been banned for six months by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

Eto’o, who is the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), has been sanctioned for breaching two articles of FIFA’s disciplinary code. The ban is related to the 2024 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup last-16 match between Cameroon and Brazil on 11 September. Brazil won the game 3-1 after extra time.

The former FC Barcelona, Chelsea, and Inter Milan striker is now prohibited from attending any national team games due to misconduct, as stated in the FIFA statement.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed a six-month ban on Samuel Eto’o from attending matches of Cameroon’s representative teams for violations of articles 13 (Offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play) and 14 (Misconduct of players and officials) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

The ban prevents Mr. Eto’o from attending men’s and women’s matches involving FECAFOOT teams of all categories and age groups. Eto’o was notified on Monday and the ban comes into force immediately.

CAF Media & TV rights agreements for CAF Interclub season revealed
by Football Sierra Leone

Media & TV rights agreements for CAF Interclub season revealed

The Confederation African Football (“CAF”) has announced new media rights and TV agreements for the 2024/25 CAF Interclub Competitions in Sub-Saharan Africa following successful bidding for pay-TV and Free to Air rights.

The media rights encompass African football’s prestigious Club competitions: TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2024/25, TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2024/25, CAF Women’s Champions League 2024, and TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 2025.

CAF has reached agreements with SuperSport International for the PayTV rights (in English) South African Broadcasting Corporation (“SABC”) and Azam Media for the Free to Air (“FTA”) rights.

In a statement, CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, remarked: “The remarkable growth and heightened global competitiveness of football in Africa has garnered substantial interest from major African and international broadcasters in African Football. SuperSport, SABC, and Azam Media have all been active participants in the CAF Media Rights bids.

CAF welcomes all partners to ensure the quality of its competitions and broadcast products. During the 2023/24 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, TV audiences grew over 25% in North Africa, and over 40% in East and Southern Africa for both TV and digital engagement.

Augustus Kargbo scores in Cesena Serie B victory over Mantova
by Football Sierra Leone

Augustus Kargbo scores in Cesena Serie B victory over Mantova

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo recorded his third of the season as Cesena defeated Mantova 4-2 in week seven of the Italian Serie B league at the Orogel Stadium.

But Inform Kargbo was later substituted after he suffered a minor injury in the 53rd minute.

The first half saw Cesena taking a strong lead with goals from Shpendi in the 5th minute, Augustus Kargbo in the 21st minute, and Giuseppe Prestia in the 43rd minute.

Mantova made a comeback in the second half, narrowing the gap with a goal from Redolfi in the 58th minute. However, CESENA secured their victory with a counterattack goal from Romagnoli and Tavsan in the 70th minute.

After the match, Cesena’s coach Michele Mignani commented, “The match went well, and we were good at scoring the first goal by stealing the ball from our opponents. In my opinion, we deserved to score more goals in the first half.”

Mignani also mentioned the opponent’s possession of the ball and their quality play, acknowledging that the match was challenging. He praised his team for executing their game plan and showing a strong desire to win, especially in the first half. However, he expressed concern about Mantova conceding too much in the latter part of the game.

Mantova is expected to face Brescia in the upcoming derby at the Martelli stadium next Sunday.

CESENA-MANTUA 4-2

CESENA (3-4-2-1):  Pisseri; Ciofi, Prestia, Mangraviti; Antonucci, Kargbo (54′ Tavsan); Shpendi (73′ Van Hooijdonk). Subs: Klinsmann, Chiarello, Ceesay, Celia, Berti, Piacentini, Pieraccini. Coach: Mignani.

MANTUA (4-2-3-1):  Festa; Trimboli, Burrai; Mensah (63′ Debenedetti). Subs: Sonzogni, Bani, Wieser, Artioli, Muroni, Cella, De Maio. Coach: Possanzini.

REFEREE:  Daniele Chiffi from Padua (assistants: Ceccon from Lovere and Trasciatti from Foligno; VAR officer: Nasca from Bari)

GOALS:  5′ Shpendi, 21′ Kargbo, 43′ Prestia, 58′ Redolfi, 70′ Tavsan, 84′ Ruocco

NOTE:  Yellow cards: Trimboli, Kargbo, Calò, Mangraviti. Corners: 4-7. Recovery time: 2′ + 6′

Zamalek win the CAF Super Cup after penalty shootout in Riyard
by FSL News

Zamalek win CAF Super Cup after penalty shootout in Riyard

On Friday night, Zamalek won the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup in a thrilling penalty shootout against their rivals Al Ahly. The match ended in a 1-1 draw at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Zamalek clinched the victory by winning 4-3 in the penalty shootout, securing their fifth Super Cup title. The win is a significant achievement for Zamalek, as it marks their fifth CAF Super Cup title.

The game started with Al Ahly taking the lead in the 44th minute through Wessam Abou Ali’s penalty. This was confirmed after a VAR review identified a foul on Akram Tawfik by Zamalek’s Hamza Mathlouthi.

Zamalek responded in the second half, with substitute Naser Mansy scoring the equalizer in the 77th minute from a well-delivered cross by Omar Gaber.

The match remained intense, with both teams seeking a winning goal, but ultimately went to a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Al Ahly’s Yahia Attiyat Allah missed a crucial penalty, and Wessam Abou Ali’s shot hit the post, giving Zamalek the advantage.

Zamalek capitalized on this advantage, converting four of their five attempts, with Hossam Abdelmaguid securing the victory with a well-placed shot into the bottom left corner.

Senegal's U20 crowned WAFU A champions after defeating Sierra Leone
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegal’s U20 crowned WAFU A champions after defeating Sierra Leone

In the 2024 WAFU A’ U-20 tournament, Senegal emerged as champions after defeating Sierra Leone 2-0 in the finals. Despite the loss, Sierra Leone’s performance throughout the tournament was remarkable.

Senegal took the lead in the 13th minute with a goal from Cheikh Tidiane Thiam and then doubled their advantage ten minutes later with a stunning long-range goal from Ibrahima Dieng.

Nonetheless, Sierra Leone qualified for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations U-20 tournament for the first time in the country’s history – a significant achievement for Shooting Stars.

This historic milestone is a source of pride for both the team and the nation, as they will be joining champions Senegal in representing WAFU A’ in the 2025 U-20 continental tournament.

Sierra Leone’s skipper Momoh I. Kamara played a pivotal role in their success. He was named player of the tournament – the 19-year-old’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament earned him the joint top scorer award, having scored three goals in four matches.

His outstanding skills and leadership on the field also led to him being decorated as the best player of the tournament.

Sierra Leone's Augustine Williams nets hat trick in 13 minutes
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Augustine Williams nets hat-trick in 13 minutes

Sierra Leone International Augustine Williams, a forward for Indy Eleven, scored three goals in their triumph over Miami FC, helping his team win 4-0 at Carroll Stadium.

Williams’ hattrick came in the second half, within 13 minutes. This brought his total goals for the season to eight, ranking him second on the team behind Jack Blake.

Williams is now tied for sixth all-time in the USL Championship Top Ten list with 74 career goals with this performance.

He is just one goal behind his teammate Sebastian Guenzatti. Williams is the third player in the team’s history to achieve a hat trick, following Manuel Arteaga and Eamon Zayed.

This game also saw the team tie a franchise record by scoring four goals in one half. The game’s first goal was a penalty kick by Jack Blake in the 62nd minute, making his total 6-6 on penalty kicks this season. Goalie Hunter Sulte made one save, earning his seventh clean sheet of the season.

Ivory Coast named a strong squad for the Sierra Leone doubleheader
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivory Coast named strong squad for Sierra Leone doubleheader

Ivorian coach Emerse Faé has selected a strong 25-man squad for two matches against Sierra Leone in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Striker Sébastien Haller returned after missing the last two qualifiers. He joined La Liga club Leganés on loan for the 2024–25 season on August 30, 2024.

The Laurent Pokou Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for the first match between Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone on October 11. The game is a crucial one for the 2025 qualifier.

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced that the second leg of the doubleheader will be held on October 15 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia.

Ivory Coast has had a perfect start in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, winning their matches against Zambia and Chad, securing the top position in Group G with six points.

The Leone Stars will aim to bounce back from their recent loss to Zambia and revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Here is the squad selected by Ivory Coast for the upcoming matches.

Ivory Coast named a strong squad for the Sierra Leone doubleheader
Ivory Coast named a strong squad for the Sierra Leone doubleheader
Sierra Leone League Board Chairman Victor Lewis calls for calm
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone League Board Chairman Victor Lewis calls for calm

Football administrator Victor Lewis has urged the football fraternity and stakeholders to work in peace after being re-appointed as Premier League Board Chairman.

The Sierra Leone Football Association has confirmed that Lewis will continue as the Board Chairman for the 2024/2025 season, along with Daniel S Momoh, Brima S Turay, and Abu Manley Conteh as FA’s representatives.

Talking to Football Sierra Leone, Lewis expressed his commitment, passion, and dedication to sacrificing and serving the beautiful game. He deeply appreciates every appointment as a recognition of his contribution to the development of the game in Sierra Leone.

“Now, it’s time to develop the game, and I need everyone on board to support the process. We need total peace in changing the narrative – I am calling on all factions to achieve a successful season.”

We have to keep developing talents like Juma Bah, who made his Spanish La Liga debut with Valladolid a few days ago. We must unite in building the game for the clubs and players to be the beneficiaries.”

Football is the only thing that unites us as a nation, and the league last season generated some positives, like the Shooting Stars qualifying for the African Cup of Nations U20 and Juma Bah making headlines in Spain.

It’s time we build on this achievement moving forward – we must work together to make the league much more efficient and successful.”

The season is set to begin in October as the reigning champions Bo Rangers prepare to defend their title.

AS Pikine Ligue 1 challenge excites midfielder Saidu Fofanah
by Football Sierra Leone

AS Pikine Ligue 1 challenge excites midfielder Saidu Fofanah

Saidu Fofanah, one of the top midfielders in the Sierra Leone Premier League, has signed with AS Pikine – Ligue 1 (Senegal) for two seasons and has described his move as an exciting challenge.

He expressed his excitement about joining the Association Sportive de Pikine based in Pikine – their home venue is the Stade Alassane Djigo, with a capacity of 5,000.

Saidu, 27, made his international debut with the Sierra Leone national team in a 1–0 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification win over Benin on 15 June 2021.

He stated that his decision to move to Senegal was to try a new challenge in his football career and experience a different style of football in one of the best countries in West Africa and the continent.

He expressed his eagerness to compete in a new league outside Sierra Leone and help his new teammates, just as he did with FC Kallon.

“The season will start next month on 19th October, but there will be a four-team tournament starting on Friday. I’m looking forward to showing what I can do on the pitch.”

Saidu was part of the Sierra Leone squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Saidu Fofanah was playing for the Senegalese team in a warm-up friendly.
Saidu Fofanah was playing for the Senegalese team in a warm-up friendly.