Category: Sport News

SWASAL is set to launch its Golden Jubilee logo and celebrate Sports Journalist Day.
by FSL News

SWASAL to Launch Golden Jubilee logo, celebrate Sports Journalist

The Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) will launch its 50-year Golden Jubilee logo on Friday and celebrate this year’s World Sports Journalists Day.

The association’s President, Sahr Morris Jr, (In Photo) expressed pride in the achievements of the association and its sports journalists.

Sahr Morris Jr, the President of SWASAL, expressed that the recent event is a significant milestone and a great achievement for the Association. SWASAL has produced numerous outstanding sports journalists who have gone on to become leaders of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists and have also made significant contributions to sports administrations.

He stated: “As an Association and an executive, we take pride in our accomplishments thus far and are committed to further improving and achieving success in all aspects of sports journalism and sports administration in Sierra Leone.”

The launch will kick off various activities, including sponsored walks, sports tournaments, conferences, and other events. In commemoration of World Sports Journalists Day, the President extended gratitude to sports journalists in Sierra Leone and worldwide for their efforts in reporting sports news and events.

Despite challenges, he highlighted the dedication of Sierra Leone’s sports journalists in reporting on their athletes and promoting the value of sports to both local and international audiences.

He also encouraged everyone to take advantage of the newly introduced Diploma in Sports Journalism course offered by SWASAL and LICCSAL Business. College.

Ivory Coast's head coach, Emerse Fae, is confident that his team will qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco from Group G.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Emerse fae confident of reaching Morocco from Group G

Ivory Coast’s head coach, Emerse Fae, is confident that his team will qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco from Group G.

Fae became the manager of the Ivory Coast U23 and assistant coach of the Ivory Coast senior team in May 2022. Later, in January 2024, he was appointed as caretaker of Ivory Coast for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, following the dismissal of Gasset.

Under his leadership, Ivory Coast clinched the 2023 AFCON title, and Fae was awarded the Best Coach of the tournament.
The Ivory Coast has been assigned to a challenging group for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will compete against Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Chad in Group G.

Fae mentioned his familiarity with the Zambian team, which Ivory Coast previously played against in the last Afcon qualifying.

“We played against Zambia for the last Afcon qualifying so we know this team very well,” Fae said.

“No easy games in African football but we are defending champions and must be ready to defend our crown by reaching Morocco 2025,” Fae was quoted as saying.

“The team appreciates the proximity of the upcoming games, as they prefer not to have long trips.”

The qualifiers will occur across six match days in September, October, and November of this year. Fae expressed his preference for playing all the games quickly, as it helps the team to stay focused and allows them time to prepare if they qualify for the competition.

The 2025 Afcon finals are scheduled to begin on 21st December next year, with the final on 18th January 2026.

The Ivory Coast has been assigned to a challenging group for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will compete against Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Chad in Group G.
The Ivory Coast has been assigned to a challenging group for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will compete against Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Chad in Group G.
AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Sierra Leone grouped with Ivory Coast, Zambia and Chad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone face former champions for road to Morocco 2025

The national football team of Sierra Leone, known as the Leone Stars, has been placed in Group G as per the official draw made on Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The team, led by Amidu Karim, faces formidable opponents including holders Ivory Coast, 2012 Champions Zambia and Chad, in the race to the 2025 AFCON group stages starting in September.

The qualifiers are set to kick off in September 2024 to determine the first 24 nations to compete in Africa’s biggest event, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025.

The upcoming matches will determine the qualification of teams for the 35th edition of the biennial African football tournament, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In each group, only the top two teams will qualify for the final tournament, except for Group B, which includes hosts Morocco 🇲🇦. In this group, only one other team will qualify.

The 35th AFCON edition is scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, encompassing the Christmas period.

The qualifiers will begin in September 2024 and conclude in November 2024. This prestigious event will bring together the best national teams from across the continent to compete for the coveted title.

The Leone Stars did not qualify for the AFCON in Ivory Coast as they finished third in Group A behind Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.

Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye pleased to join Everton from Marseille
by FSL News

Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye pleased to join Everton

Everton has signed Senegalese forward Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee, confirmed the Premier League side.

Ndiaye, 24, scored four goals in 46 games for Marseille last season, helping the club reach the Europa League semi-finals.” I am so pleased to be an Everton player,” he told Everton TV. “The main reasons I wanted to join were the club’s size, its history, and the part I can play in helping the team move forward. I’m so excited and can’t wait to get going.”

Everton manager Sean Dyche expressed confidence in Ndiaye, praising his experience at the European and international levels.

Ndiaye becomes Everton’s third summer signing after winger Jack Harrison and midfielder Tim Iroegbunam. Director of football Kevin Thelwell believes Ndiaye will bring excitement and a new dimension to Everton’s attack.

Ndiaye, born in France to a Senegalese father and a French mother, made his debut for the Senegal national team in a 3–1 win over Benin during a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match.

He was later selected for Senegal’s squad in the postponed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in the Ivory Coast.

Musa Tombo makes history after third Golden Boots Award
by FSL News

Musa Tombo makes history by winning third Golden Boot Award

Musa Noah ‘Tombo’ Kamara, a well-known striker in the Sierra Leone Premier League, has achieved a significant milestone in the competition’s history, Mohamed Fajah Barrie reports.

He has clinched the highest goal scorer award an impressive three times, making him the only player to achieve this feat since the inception of the national top-flight league in 1980.

In the recently concluded 2023/2024 season, Musa Tombo secured the coveted Golden Boot by scoring an outstanding 15 goals, including two hat-tricks for Ports Authority, despite joining the team midway through the season.

What sets Musa apart is his remarkable goal-scoring abilities and his consistency in achieving this feat with different clubs. He initially claimed the top goal scorer title with East End Lions in 2019, contributing 15 goals to the team’s unbeaten league victory.

Subsequently, in the 2021/2022 season, he achieved the same feat with Bo Rangers, scoring 19 goals and guiding the team to their first premier league title. Now, with Ports Authority FC, Musa Kamara has once again displayed his exceptional talent.

In another success story, Bo Rangers were officially crowned champions of the 2023/2024 Sierra Leone Premier League after a 5-1 victory over Lamboi FC of Lungi, securing their third consecutive league title and their third championship in the club’s history.

The grand celebration at the Southern Arena was a fitting conclusion to their exceptional season, having clinched the title with three games to spare.

On the other hand, newcomer Kahunla Rangers of Kenema bid farewell to their debut season in the Premier League after being relegated before their final game over the weekend.

Shifting the focus to the women’s category, Mogbwemo Queens of Rutile mirrored Bo Rangers’ success by retaining their women’s premier league title, maintaining an unbeaten record throughout the season.

A standout individual achievement in the women’s league was witnessed with FC Kallon’s Kumba Zainab Brima securing the league’s best player award and claiming the Golden Boot for the second season in a row with an impressive 39 goals, setting a new record for the highest goal tally by an individual in a single season across all categories, 13 more goals than last season.

Mamelodi Sundowns and coach Rhulani Mokwena part ways
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mamelodi Sundowns and coach Rhulani Mokwena part ways

Mamelodi Sundowns and Rhulani Mokwena have mutually agreed to conclude their working relationship, marking the end of Rhulani Mokwena’s role as Head Coach.

Mokwena won four league trophies with Sundowns, two as co-coach. Last season, he guided Sundowns to the first-ever African Football League but they couldn’t win the CAF Champions League, their main goal.

Sundowns express its sincere appreciation to Rhulani Mokwena for his invaluable contributions to the club’s successes and achievements during his tenure as Head Coach.

Mokwena will always be considered a part of the Mamelodi Sundowns Family, and the club wishes him the utmost success in his future endeavours.

The decision was made by the Board, taking into consideration the club’s objectives and expectations and was not influenced by any individual associated with the club.

“Sundowns is deeply committed to the development and growth of South African coaches and players. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi and the Technical Team will continue to lead and oversee the training and preparation of the players for the upcoming season,” Sundowns noted.

Mamelodi Sundowns is diligently preparing to compete in all upcoming competitions and is honoured to be one of the four Football Clubs representing the African Continent in the historic FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

The 18-year-old defensive midfielder, Boubakar Dembaga, expressed his delight after joining AS Monaco from Paris FC.
by FSL News

AS Monaco move excites Malian Boubakar Dembaga

The 18-year-old defensive midfielder, Boubakar Dembaga, expressed his delight after joining AS Monaco from Paris FC.

Originally from Aulnay-sous-Bois (Seine-Saint-Denis), Boubakar Dembaga, who recently celebrated his 18th birthday on June 7, has joined AS Monaco from Paris FC, where he trained.

Dembaga played with the Ile-de-France club in the U17 and U19 categories after starting his career at CSL Aulnay and then at Espérance Aulnaysienne, alongside playing futsal.

The youngster is thrilled to sign his first professional contract with AS Monaco. He sees this as an important step and is eager to start this new adventure.

He looks forward to continuing to progress and reach his best level. Boubakar Dembaga had a successful 2023-2024 season with Paris FC, playing more than twenty matches as a starter and scoring 5 goals. He will play with Djimi Traoré’s Elite Group at AS Monaco.

Equatorial Guinea'S Dacosta Gonzalez pens long-term deal with AFC Bournemouth
by FSL News

Equatorial Guinea’s Dacosta Gonzalez pens long-term deal

Michael Dacosta Gonzalez has signed a new long-term contract with AFC Bournemouth, keeping him at the club until at least the end of the 2026/27 season.

The forward, eligible to represent Spain, Ecuador, and Equatorial Guinea, expressed his excitement and commitment to the club, emphasizing his gratitude towards his family for their support.

Dacosta Gonzalez, whose younger brother Malcolm recently signed a two-year scholarship with the Cherries, said on afcb.co.uk: “It’s an honour and a privilege to sign a contract at this club. I’ve been here since I was 11 and the club is on the rise.

I’m pleased and, hopefully, I can go all the way. I’m happy for myself, but I’m mostly happy for my mom because I couldn’t have done it without her. Me, my mom, and everyone are really happy.

I’m extremely excited and I’ve got a lot of emotions running through me because I really want to do well for this club.”

Gambian international Sheriff Sinyan is leaving Slavia a year later as both parties mutually agreed not to activate the further year option.
by FSL News

Gambian international ​Sheriff Sinyan departs Slavia Prague

Gambian international Sheriff Sinyan is leaving Slavia a year later as both parties mutually agreed not to activate the further year option.

One contributing factor to this decision is Sinyan’s requirement for enhanced playing time following his injury, which Slavia cannot assure.

Sinyan,27, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I wish to extend my thanks to my teammates, the coaching staff, the management, and all those who supported and cared for me during my injury. The shared moments will be cherished, and I extend my best wishes to Slavia for the future.”

Upon arriving as a free agent in July 2023, Sinyan signed a one-year deal with a two-year option and underwent medical treatment and rehabilitation. Hailing from Oslo and representing Gambia, Sinyan made his A-team debut on October 29th against Bohemians.

He also played in the MOL Cup in Hradec Králové and sustained a muscle injury during the January training camp in the Algarve while playing against Sönderjyske and AIK Stockholm.

Nigeria's forward Muhamed Tijani Joins Plymouth Argyle 
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s forward Muhamed Tijani Joins Plymouth Argyle 

English Championship side Plymouth Argyle has signed Muhamed Tijani on loan from Slavia Prague. The deal is subject to EFL approval and international clearance.

The Nigerian forward, 23, scored 13 goals in 33 games for Taborsko in the 2021/22 season. He also played in the Europa League for Slavia Prague, scoring two goals.

At the international level, Tijani was part of the Nigeria under-20 squad that competed in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

He played his first international match on 24 May 2019 against the Qatar under-20 side. He scored his first international goal on 30 May through a penalty kick against the Ukraine under-20 team.

Argyle’s Head Coach, Wayne Rooney, is excited about Tijani joining the team and is looking forward to working with him.

Argyle can buy the player at the end of his loan spell. Tijani, from Nigeria, moved to the Czech Republic at 18 to join Banik Ostrava’s youth system.

In the summer of 2023, he moved to Slavia Prague for approximately £1m and played 19 times, scoring four goals. Two goals came in the UEFA Europa League, including a last-ditch winner away to FC Sheriff.

Wayne Rooney, Head Coach of Argyle, said, “Muhamed’s arrival enhances our forward line with his size, athleticism, and scoring ability. He’s experienced in the Europa League and is eager to improve.”

Neil Dewsnip, Director of Football, added, “We’re thrilled to have Muhamed on board. He brings a different profile to our forward line and has immense growth potential. We’re excited to have him on board before pre-season begins.”