Category: Sport News

Defender Alex Bangura returns to Middlesbrough action
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Alex Bangura returns to Middlesbrough action

Sierra Leone defender Alex Bangura, who was forced off early in their 4-0 victory over Southampton in January, has returned to full fitness.

On Saturday, Middlesbrough played to a goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers, and Bangura was subbed on in their remaining nine minutes after full recovery to replace Matt Targett.

The defender has struggled with injuries since joining Boro in September 2023. Hopefully, his latest recovery will see him enjoy a long spell on the pitch.

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg post-match:

“It was a very, very good first half. The first 15 to 20 minutes of the second half felt very good, but then it became open for us, trying to chase the game.

“We wanted it so much that we lost a bit of control and quality in terms of how we played, but it was a good performance in many ways.

“We’re doing our best, we kept a clean sheet away from home, we’re trying to score, we created a lot of opportunities, but it didn’t fall for us.

“Of course, we need to score goals. If we don’t, we won’t win games.”

Jaze Kabia nets a brace as Play-off contenders Grimsby thrash Barrow
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jaze Kabia nets a brace as Play-off contenders Grimsby thrash Barrow

Sierra Leone-native Jaze Jabia recorded his twelfth goal of the season as Grimsby eased past Barrow in their pursuit of promotion at Blundell Park, marking his twelfth goal of the season.

With a commanding 5–0 win at Blundell Park, play-off hopeful Grimsby inflicted more suffering on bottom-side Barrow. After Andy Cook’s opening, Kieran Green and Jaze Kabia each bagged a brace as the Mariners stayed in seventh place on goal difference.

Darragh Burns opened space on the right in the 17th minute to lash in an in-swinging cross onto Cook’s head, who nodded home off the foundation of the post.

Before the break, Grimsby doubled their advantage with a swift counter-attack as Kabia found Green in the middle of the box with a low cross, which the latter first-time finished in the 41st minute.

With Grimsby’s leading scorer Kabia joining in the action, the hosts made it three in the 61st minute by firing in under Wyll Stanway on the left side of the penalty box.

With Reece Staunton’s in-swinging corner in the 87th minute, Green scored his second and his team’s fourth with a fierce header. Still, Kabia had time to get a brace; in the 10th minute of extra time, she tapped Justin Amaluzor’s cross.

Sierra Leone's Daniel Kanu takes tally to 14 goals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Daniel Kanu takes his tally to 14 goals

Sierra Leone Daniel Kanu recorded his fourteenth of the season as Walsall fought back to beat League Two relegation battlers Newport County 2-1 and deepen the fears of the team from south Wales.

Midfielder Harrison Biggins put the Exiles ahead in the opening period, hammering in from close range as Newport took the game to the Saddlers.

Daniel Kanu replied midway through the second half, and Alex Pattison fired home from outside the box in added time to send Newport home with nothing to show for their efforts.

Walsall are 10th in the table, two points off the play-offs, while Newport are a point and one place above the relegation zone.

CR Belouizdad reach CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals
by Football Sierra Leone

CR Belouizdad reach CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals

CR Belouizdad has reached the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup for the first time in 30 years.

They secured their spot after a tense goalless draw against Al-Masry from Egypt in Algiers. The Algerian team advanced with an aggregate score, having drawn 1-1 in the first leg in Egypt.

The match at the Nelson Mandela Stadium marked a historic moment for the club, which last reached this stage in 1996.

Belouizdad started the match strongly, pressing high and quickly creating chances. In the first seven minutes, Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda’s shot lacked power, allowing Al-Masry’s goalkeeper, Essam Tharwat, to make an easy save.

Midway through the first half, defender Hussein Ben Ayada forced Tharwat into a strong save, and Ben Hammouda’s header skimmed just over the crossbar.

As the first half progressed, Al-Masry began creating opportunities, with a long-range shot testing Belouizdad’s goalkeeper Farid Chaal just before half-time. Despite the pressure, both teams went into the break level.

In the second half, both sides struggled to score, with Belouizdad focusing on defence. Al-Masry pushed hard for a goal, especially with forward Daghmoum becoming a threat late in the game. However, Chaal and the defence held firm.

The match ended in a goalless draw, sending Belouizdad to the semi-finals to face the winner between Zamalek and Otoho. For Al-Masry, this result marked the end of their campaign. Belouizdad celebrates a return to the last four of a continental competition after 30 years.

Defending champions Pyramids eliminated
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defending champions Pyramids eliminated by FAR Rabat

Defending champions Pyramids were knocked out of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals on Saturday, suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Morocco’s FAR Rabat, who advanced with a 3-2 aggregate score.

This loss marks the end of Pyramids’ title reign, despite managing a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Rabat. The Egyptians had clinched their first African Champions League title last June by overcoming South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.

Rida Slim gave the visitors an early lead in the ninth minute at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium, and Mohamed Rabie Hrimat extended that advantage with a header in the 54th minute.

Although Fiston Mayele pulled one back in the 62nd minute, the Egyptians couldn’t find the equaliser they desperately needed to push the match into penalties, as FAR Rabat held their ground.

“This is a historic win and an important qualification for the club,” stated forward Youssef El Fahli in an interview with beIN Sports. “We are determined to compete for the title this season and, with God’s help, we’ll claim the club’s second continental crown.”

FAR Rabat will go up against fellow Moroccans RS Berkane or Sudan’s Al Hilal in the semi-finals, as they aim to get closer to securing a second continental title, having previously won the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1985 against AS Bilima (now AS Dragons) from what was then Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Esperance knocked out Al Ahly in Cairo after a thriller to reach semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Esperance knock out Al Ahly in Cairo after a thriller to reach semis

Esperance Sportive de Tunis delivered a stunning performance in Cairo, defeating Al Ahly 3-2 on the night and securing a 4-2 aggregate win to advance to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

After narrowly winning the first leg 1-0 in Rades, the Tunisian giants rallied from an early setback to clinch a late winner, silencing the Cairo International Stadium and dashing the hopes of Africa’s most decorated club.

Backed by a passionate crowd, Al Ahly opened the match with intensity. Their early efforts paid off in the 10th minute when Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” capitalised on defensive confusion to score, levelling the aggregate tie.

Although Al Ahly continued to create chances and control much of the first half, Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said made crucial saves, leaving the score at 1-0 at halftime.

The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum as Esperance returned with renewed energy. Theyequalisedd in the 68th minute with a powerful shot from Florian Danho, regaining the aggregate lead. Soon after, a defensive error led to a penalty converted by Mohamed Amine Tougai, putting Esperance ahead 2-1.

Al Ahly fought back with urgency, and an own goal in the 84th minute levelled the match at 2-2, reigniting hope among home fans. As pressure mounted, it was Esperance who struck the final blow. In stoppage time, Hamza Jelassi headed the winning goal in the 94th minute, completing a remarkable turnaround despite his earlier own goal.

The final whistle confirmed Esperance’s semi-final spot, where they will face the winner of Mamelodi Sundowns and Stade Malien. For Al Ahly, this loss brought a disappointing end to their campaign, having dominated portions of both legs.

Meanwhile, Esperance’s determined display underscores their status as serious title contenders and adds another memorable chapter to African club football history.

Idriss Kanu on target as MK Dons suffer a home defeat to Barnet
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Idris Kanu on target as MK Dons suffer a home defeat to Barnet

Sierra Leone’s Idriss Kanu was on target as MK Dons suffered their first League Two defeat since New Year’s Day after Barnet rallied from behind to secure an away victory.

Jon Mellish initially put the Dons ahead, but goals from Danny Collinge, Kabongo Tshimanga, and Idris Kanu saw the Bees earn their first win in four matches.

The home team took the lead in the seventh minute when goalkeeper Cieran Slicker dropped a cross from Aaron Nemane, allowing Mellish to tap the ball into an unguarded net.

Barnet nearly equalised soon after, with Craig MacGillivray turning away efforts from Ryan Glover and Adam Senior. However, they found the back of the net in first-half stoppage time when Collinge nodded in Mark Shelton’s corner.

Ex-Dons striker Tshimanga put Barnet in front just three minutes into the second half, scoring with a deflected shot from the edge of the box that left MacGillivray with no chance.

The visitors extended their lead in the 57th minute, as Kanu capitalised on a rushed clearance to fire home.

MK Dons’ frustrations grew when they missed a penalty after Aaron Collins was brought down in the box; Slicker saved the spot-kick taken by Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, compounding the home side’s disappointment.

Sierra Leone edge Ethiopia in Group A World Cup qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone named a strong squad for FIFA Series in Azerbaijan

A total of nineteen foreign-based players have been selected for Sierra Leone’s FIFA Series matches this month, which include friendly encounters against Oman and Azerbaijan set to take place in Baku on March 27 and 30.

Notable players in the squad include Crystal Palace’s rising star Hindolo Mustapha, currently on loan to West Brom, Mustapha Bundu from German side Hannover, inform striker Daniel Kanu, who has recorded sixteen goals across thirty-eight for Walsall so far this season, Sullay Kaikai from Cambridge United, Juma Bah of Nice, and Amadou Bakayoko, who is competing in the J2 League. These strong selections highlight the promising talent available for the upcoming matches.

The upcoming friendly matches will feature an exciting group stage with host nations Azerbaijan, Sierra Leone, Oman, and Saint Lucia, delighting fans in Azerbaijan.

On March 27, Sierra Leone will take on Oman in a critical match that will decide which team moves forward to the finals. The winners of this opening clash will face off on March 30 for the championship, promising an electrifying finish to the tournament.

Meanwhile, the teams that don’t secure victory in their first matches will battle it out for third place, adding an extra layer of competition. This tournament aims to showcase emerging talents while promoting international camaraderie.

All FIFA Series 2026 matches will be broadcast worldwide, ensuring that fans from every corner of the globe can tune in and support their national teams, while also shining a spotlight on the nations involved.

The match schedule of the tournament: 

March 27

15:00. Oman vs Sierra Leone

Dalga Arena

19:00. Azerbaijan vs Saint Lucia

Mehdi Huseynzada Sumgayit City Stadium

March 30

15:00. Third place match (losing teams)

Dalga Arena

19:00. Final (winners)

Mehdi Huseynzada Sumgayit City Stadium

Full Squad listed

Goalkeepers

Alhaji Sesay, Francis Koroma, Mamadou Jalloh

Defenders

Abdulai Juma Bah, Abdul Jarju Kabia, Alpha Turay, Nathaniel Jalloh, Citta Bah, Sallieu Tarawalie, Emmanuel Sahr Samadia, Idris Kanu

Midfielders

Kamil Conteh, John Billi Sesay, Alhassan Koroma, Saidu Fofanah, Santigie Fornah, Hindolo Mustapha, Mustapha Bundu, Kwame Quee

Forwards

Amadou Bakayoko, Yayah Kallon, Samuel Ghandi, John Thomas Kamara, Daniel Kanu, Sullay Borbor Kaikai 

Zambia's Chipolopolo set to face Argentina in Buenos Aires
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zambia’s Chipolopolo set to face Argentina in Buenos Aires

Zambia is set to face Argentina in a highly anticipated friendly match on March 31 at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires.

This encounter, part of the March FIFA international matchdays, marks the inaugural meeting between the two nations and presents the Chipolopolo with a rare opportunity to test their skills against the reigning world champions.

Coach Moses Sichone plans to use this match as a chance to evaluate his squad in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The team will kick off a domestic training camp next week, before heading to Argentina, where they will concentrate on their preparation and tactical adjustments.

The invitation to play Argentina necessitated a shift in Zambia’s plans, as they had already committed to participating in the Four Nations Tournament in Botswana.

To accommodate both events, the federation opted to send a local squad to the tournament while retaining the senior national team for this historic clash in Buenos Aires.

“We received an invitation to play Argentina, and it’s an opportunity we can’t afford to miss. When the world champions come calling, you answer. It’s a clear indication of the respect Zambia has earned on the global stage,” explained a federation spokesperson. However, since this match coincides with the Four Nations Tournament, they decided it was best to send their local team to Francistown.

The federation emphasised the Four Nations Tournament as a key platform for preparing their Olympic team. “With our Olympic participation confirmed, the tournament will help refine our squad selection, including both local and international players,” a spokesperson stated.

Following the friendly against Argentina, Zambia will focus on upcoming continental competitions, particularly the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The coaching staff aims to use the March matches to fine-tune the squad and evaluate player performance against local rivals and elite international teams.

Serie C side Casertana confirm Yayah Kallon's Sierra Leone call-up
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Serie C side Casertana confirm Yayah Kallon’s Sierra Leone call-up

The Italian has said that Coach Mohamed Kallon, a legendary former striker who made his mark at Inter, Reggina, and Monaco, has invited the young talent to participate in friendly matches against Oman and Azerbaijan, scheduled to take place in Baku on March 27 and 30.

Last August, Casertana FC announced that it had secured Yayah Kallon, bringing him on board permanently from Hellas Verona. Kallon expressed his excitement about rejoining Rossoblu after a successful stint with the national team last season.

This marks a thrilling new chapter for the Sierra Leonean winger, who was born in 2001 and has previously played in Serie A with Genoa and Hellas Verona.

The upcoming friendlies will showcase a group stage featuring host nations Azerbaijan, Sierra Leone, Oman, and Saint Lucia, offering exciting matches for fans in Azerbaijan.

On March 27, Sierra Leone will face Oman in a match that will determine which team advances to the finals. The victors of the opening day will go head-to-head on March 30 for the championship, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the tournament.

Meanwhile, the teams that don’t come out on top in their first matches will compete for third place, adding another layer of competition. This tournament is set to spotlight emerging talents while also fostering international camaraderie.

All FIFA Series 2026 encounters will be broadcast globally, ensuring that fans across all regions can tune in and cheer for their national teams while enjoying increased visibility for the participating nations.

The match schedule of the tournament: 

March 27

15:00. Oman vs Sierra Leone

Dalga Arena

19:00. Azerbaijan vs Saint Lucia

  • Mehdi Huseynzada Sumgayit City Stadium

March 30

15:00. Third place match (losing teams)

  • Dalga Arena

19:00. Final (winners)

  • Mehdi Huseynzada Sumgayit City Stadium