Category: Sport News

Gambia's Yankuba Minteh scores winner for Brighton in win over Sunderland
by Football Sierra Leone

Gambia’s Yankuba Minteh scores winner for Brighton in win over Sunderland

Yankuba Minteh scored a bizarre goal that gave Brighton a 1-0 victory over Sunderland, marking the Black Cats' third consecutive home defeat in the Premier League.

In the 58th minute, Minteh’s sliced cross from a tight angle slipped past Sunderland goalkeeper Melker Ellborg at the near post.

Sunderland players were furious that play continued while midfielder Habib Diarra lay on the ground after a clash with Lewis Dunk during a corner.

However, the video assistant referee (VAR) confirmed that the goal was valid, as Brighton defender Paul van Hecke, obstructing Ellborg’s view, was onside.

This victory pushed Brighton to 40 points, placing them above Sunderland in 10th position. It was also their first win at Wearside since 1981, ending a nine-match winless streak.

Brighton was the better side in a lacklustre first half, with Jack Hinshelwood missing two clear opportunities to score. Sunderland thought they had taken the lead when Chris Rigg found the net, but his goal was disallowed for offside.

Brian Brobbey later squandered a crucial chance, firing over the bar after Brighton was caught in possession.

As Regis le Bris’ team pushed for an equaliser, they struggled to create clear chances. Diego Gomez also missed an opportunity to extend Brighton’s lead. With three straight home losses, Sunderland’s hopes for European qualification have taken a serious hit.

Ghana's Thomas-Asante helps Coventry ease-past Preston
by Football Sierra Leone

Ghana’s Thomas-Asante helps Coventry ease past Preston

Ghana's Thomas -Asante on target as Coventry City convincingly defeated a struggling Preston North End to extend their lead at the top of the Championship table to eight points.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a deflected shot, followed by Brandon Thomas-Asante, who netted the second after Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen tipped Ellis Simms’ effort onto the bar.

Matt Grimes secured the win with a second-half penalty, marking a perfect night for Frank Lampard’s team as their nearest rivals, Middlesbrough, stumbled against Charlton.

The home fans erupted in chants of “we’re going to win the league” when news of Boro’s defeat came through, and based on their dominant display, that seems more than likely.

Coventry controlled the game after taking the lead, though Iversen might feel unlucky about the first two goals. The deflection on Sakamoto’s shot wrong-footed him, and though he made a brilliant save on Simms, the rebound fell perfectly for Thomas-Asante.

Preston may also dispute the penalty awarded for Ephron Mason-Clark’s tumble under minimal pressure from Pol Valentin. Regardless, it was clear where the points were headed, as Coventry secured their sixth straight win, showcasing their championship potential.

They had chances to increase their margin, notably when Josh Eccles shot over the bar from a good position.

Preston, meanwhile, looked every bit a team struggling with just one win in 11 matches, with few highlights apart from headers from Whiteman and Milutin Osmajic that were both saved by Coventry’s goalkeeper, Carl Rushworth.

Stephen Constantine appointed as Rwanda's head coach
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Stephen Constantine reappointed as Rwanda’s head coach

Englishman Stephen Constantine has been reappointed as the head coach of Rwanda's men's national football team, signing a two-year contract.

The 63-year-old will step down from his current role with Cypriot club APEA Akrotiri to take up the position on March 16.

Constantine previously managed Rwanda from May 2014 to January 2015 before moving on to take the helm of the Indian national team. The Rwanda Football Federation expressed confidence in his ability to bring “leadership, technical expertise, and a commitment to advancing Rwanda’s football ambitions.”

Born in London, Constantine has built a diverse coaching career in various less conventional football destinations. Alongside Rwanda and India, he has also taken charge of teams in Nepal, Malawi, Sudan, and Pakistan.

Currently, Rwanda sits at 130th in the FIFA rankings and is aiming to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, an achievement they have only managed once before in 2004.

Constantine’s first match back in charge will be against Grenada in Kigali, part of the FIFA Series friendly tournament.

CAF greenlights Ethiopia to host International football after five years
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF green lights Ethiopia to host International football after five years

Ethiopia will host international football matches at home for the first time in five years, following approval from the Confederation of African Football for the use of its Dire Dawa stadium.

Ethiopia, an Eastern African nation with a population of 130 million, has been compelled to play its home matches abroad since 2021 after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that all three of its primary stadiums – in Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, and Dire Dawa – did not meet international standards.

However, following recent upgrades that received the green light from CAF inspectors, the second-largest stadium in Dire Dawa is set to host Ethiopia’s preliminary round second leg qualifier against São Tomé and Príncipe on March 31, according to the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF).

“Great news! The Dire Dawa International Stadium can now host national team matches,” announced the EFF. Built in partnership with the Dire Dawa city administration, the modern stadium is ready for national and international competitions.”

The EFF has reappointed former international player Yohannes Sahle to prepare the national team for the qualifiers, with the first leg kicking off in São Tomé on March 25.

The team that triumphs after both legs will move on to the group stage of the tournament, with the finals scheduled to take place next year in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Ethiopia, which previously hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976, recently finished fifth in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, earning only nine points from ten matches.

Source AFP

CAF Inter-club winners' money increases by $2m
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Inter-club winners’ money increases by $2m

CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has raised the prize money for winners of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

The Champions League winner will receive USD 6 million, a 50% increase, while the Confederation Cup winner will get USD 4 million, a 100% increase.

During Dr Motsepe’s five years in office, the Champions League prize increased from USD 2.5 million to USD 6 million, a 140% rise, and the Confederation Cup prize rose from USD 1.25 million to USD 4 million, a 220% increase.

Total prize money and support for African clubs now exceed USD 42 million per season, a 123.4% increase since the President took office.

In August 2024, Dr Motsepe announced that teams eliminated in the early rounds of both tournaments would receive USD 50,000 each, increasing to USD 100,000 in 2025. This led to a record 130 clubs participating in the 2025/26 season.

Striker Augustine Williams opens Hartford Athletic USL account
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Augustine Williams opens Hartford Athletic USL account

Sporting Club Jacksonville lost their home opener to Hartford Athletic, 3-0, in the USL Championship on Saturday in front of 10,357 fans at Hodges Stadium.

Augustine William, making his Hartford league debut, scored just before halftime to put Hartford ahead 1-0. Sporting JAX had an early corner kick, but they couldn’t capitalise. Despite creating chances, they struggled against Hartford’s strong defence.

In the second half, JAX pushed for an equaliser, with Emil Jaaskelainen forcing a great save from Hartford’s keeper, Siaha Ngnepi. JAX faced a setback when a penalty kick awarded to Hartford was saved by goalkeeper Christian Olivares, boosting the team’s spirit.

However, Hartford’s Samuel Careaga scored shortly after entering the match, making it 2-0. JAX continued to fight but conceded a final goal from Hartford’s Adewale Obalola in the 90th minute, ending the match 3-0. It was an exciting night for soccer in Jacksonville.

Sierra Leone's Sallieu Bah impressive on FC Zorya Luhansk debut
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s Sallieu Bah impressive on FC Zorya Luhansk debut

Sierra Leonean forward Sallieu Bah kicked off his journey in the Ukrainian Premier League with an outstanding debut as FC Zorya Luhansk won comfortably.

In a commanding 4–0 victory, Bah played a pivotal role by providing an assist in his first match. His contributions were crucial to Zorya Luhansk’s control over the game, securing a decisive three points.

Throughout the match, Bah showcased impressive confidence, quick acceleration, and sharp offensive instincts, quickly fitting into the team’s dynamics.

The Ukrainian side announced his signing last month, expressing that the Sierra Leonean attacking midfielder Sallieu Bach has become a Black and White player!

Read Related News – Wilberforce Strikers confirm Salliue Bah transfer to FC Zorya
Sierra Leone's Sallieu Bah impressive on FC Zorya Luhansk debut
Sierra Leone's Sallieu Bah impressive on FC Zorya Luhansk debut
David Simbo makes Lions debut in win over FCFC
by Football Sierra Leone

David Simbo makes Lions debut in win over FCFC

Veteran defender David Simbo made his debut for the East End Lions in their 2-0 triumph over Freetown City on Saturday.

In the first 45 minutes, Simbo demonstrated his worth on the field only a week after joining the club on a one-year agreement. Attacker Kwame Quee scored their first before Mohamed Fogbawa wrapped the win up with a second.

Simbo’s defensive ability was instrumental in making sure his team was secure in the opening half of the ongoing Leone Rock Premier League.

His presence in the backline not only strengthened the team’s defence but also assisted their general strategy, helping to restrain Freetown City’s aggressive assaults.

Simbo’s first effort establishes a good tone for his future with the team as East End Lions strive to rise in the league rankings. Following a difficult first round, the victory brought E E Lions to eight.

CAF announces new dates for Women’s AFCON
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF announces new dates for Women’s AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the delay of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) to July-August, putting an end to weeks of uncertainty regarding whether the event would proceed as planned this month.

This tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, where four teams from Africa will secure automatic entry, while an additional two will enter the inter-continental qualifiers.

In October 2024, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) awarded the hosting rights for the prestigious TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 to Morocco.

Initially, the tournament was set to take place from March 17 to April 3, 2026. However, after thorough discussions that involved CAF, its key partners, including FIFA, and various other stakeholders, it became evident that adjustments were necessary to facilitate the success of this significant women’s football event.

Consequently, CAFdecidedn to reschedule the WAFCON 2026 to a new timeframe, now planned for July 25 to August 16, 2026.

This change aims to accommodate various unforeseen circumstances that could impact the tournament’s execution, thereby ensuring a smooth and successful competition that showcases the talents of women footballers across Africa.

Preparations for the CAF WAFCON 2026 are underway, and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful.

Mohamed Ouahbi Assumes Role as the New Coach for Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mohamed Ouahbi Assumes Role as the New Coach for Morocco

It’s official: Walid Regragui has stepped down as head coach of the Atlas Lions, ending weeks of speculation about his future. Mohamed Ouahbi has been appointed as Morocco’s new national team coach.

The Morocco Football Federation (FRMF) announced Morocco’s disappointing exit from the AFCON, highlighted by a chaotic final against Senegal on January 18, during which the match was interrupted by fans storming the field.

Regragui had previously stated he would resign if he failed to win AFCON, fueling rumours about his departure. In addition to his resignation, reports were linking him to a possible move to Marseille.

Regragui took charge of the Moroccan national team on August 31, 2022, just before the World Cup in Qatar. He had previously enjoyed success, leading Wydad Casablanca to a CAF Champions League title and making history with FUS Rabat by winning their first league title in 70 years. Under his leadership, Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals, marking a historic achievement for African and Arab teams.

Despite a solid record of 35 wins, 9 draws, and 5 losses, Morocco’s AFCON campaign revealed challenges, particularly regarding squad management. Key decisions, such as fielding injured players like Romain Saiss, drew criticism.

Ouahbi, who has been influential in Morocco’s youth setup since March 2022, replaces Regragui. He led the U‑20 team to a World Cup victory in 2025 and has a strong coaching background, including 17 years at Anderlecht’s academy. His emphasis on youth development and long-term planning aligns with the FRMF’s vision.

As Morocco faces the next World Cup cycle, Ouahbi’s experience and success at the junior level position him well to manage the team under pressure. He will immediately step into his role, tasked with leading the national team in their upcoming challenges.