Category: Sport News

Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Sierra Leone debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Sierra Leone debut

Mamadou Wurie, the young goalkeeper currently playing for Finnish club VPS in the Veikkausliiga, has made his international debut with Sierra Leone.

“First of all, thank you to Coach Kallon, the staff and my teammates for the trust and support. I really appreciate it. Proud to make my debut for Sierra Leone. It has always been a dream to wear this shirt. Of course, not the performance I wanted; I take full responsibility for that moment.
But I learn and grow, and I come back stronger. This is just the beginning,” Jalloh shared with this medium.

Jalloh was included in the starting eleven for the Leone Stars in a penalty shootout defeat against Azerbaijan on Tuesday.

Sierra Leone got off to a strong start, with Danile Kanu scoring to put the visitors ahead. However, the home team equalised, taking the match into penalties after 90 minutes.

Wurie played the entire match and was happy with his contribution. He shared on Instagram, “Hard lesson, but a big moment. A debut with Sierra Leone.”

“First of all, thank you to Coach Kallon, the staff and my teammates for the trust and support. I really appreciate it. Proud to make my debut for Sierra Leone. It has always been a dream to wear this shirt. Of course, not the performance I wanted; I take full responsibility for that moment. But I learn and grow, and I come back stronger. This is just the beginning,” Jalloh shared with this medium.

Nineteen-year-old Jalloh was the first-choice keeper for the Sierra Leone U20 team during the Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt, where they were eliminated by Morocco in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 in Cairo.

Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Sierra Leone debut
Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Sierra Leone debut
Ghana start new search for head coach ahead of World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana start new search for head coach ahead of World Cup

Ghana is set to welcome a new coach for the upcoming World Cup in June after parting ways with Otto Ado following their disappointing 2-1 loss to Germany.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) have announced that Otto Addo will be stepping down.

The Hamburg-born former Bundesliga player has led the Ghanaian national team for the past two years. Unfortunately, the defeat in Stuttgart marked the fourth consecutive loss for the “Black Stars.”

As of now, it remains unclear who will take the helm after the 50-year-old Addo. Ghana’s group stage opponents in the World Cup will include England, Croatia, and Panama.

Azerbaijan defeat Sierra Leone in FIFA series friendly on penalties
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Azerbaijan defeat Sierra Leone in FIFA series friendly on penalties

At the Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionu in Sumqayıt, host Azerbaijan won 9-8 on penalties after battling to a 1–1 draw over 90 minutes with Sierra Leone in an international friendly on March 30, 2026.

Forward Daniel Kanu put Sierra Leone ahead with a composed finish, assisted by Barnet player Idriss Kanu, marking an important moment for the young striker on the international stage.

Azerbaijan responded later in the match, equalising through Rahil Mammadov to ensure both sides shared the spoils. The contest was competitive, with both teams creating chances and testing each other’s defences throughout.

Several players made their debut, including Mamadou Wurie, a young goalkeeper currently with VPS in Finland’s Veikkausliiga. Yayah Kallon plays in Italy’s Serie C with Casertana FC, and former U20 defender Alpha Kabia is with Minnesota 2 in the USA.

The result reflects a balanced encounter and provides valuable experience for both squads as they continue preparations for upcoming international competitions and future fixtures.

Azerbaijan defeat Sierra Leone in FIFA series friendly on penalties
Azerbaijan defeat Sierra Leone in FIFA series friendly on penalties
CAF announces shock expansion of AFCON from 24 to 28 teams
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF announces shock expansion of AFCON from 24 to 28 teams

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled plans to increase the number of teams competing in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.

Currently, 24 teams participate in the tournament, which takes place every two years. However, CAF President Patrice Motsepe made a surprising announcement in Cairo on Sunday, revealing that this number will rise to 28 teams in future editions of the tournament.

Motsepe stated that this change reflects the organisation’s commitment to showcasing world-class football and welcoming the best African players from around the globe to compete on their home turf. However, he did not provide details on how or when these changes would be implemented.

This isn’t the first time the competition format has been altered; in 2019, the tournament expanded from 16 teams to its current 24. Yet again, Afcon is set for further modifications, as its biennial scheduling will shift to a model similar to that of Europe, taking place once every four years.

The 2027 edition will proceed as planned, leading into a special 2028 edition that will mark this transition.

To enhance the African football landscape, Motsepe also announced the introduction of a continental version of UEFA’s Nations League. This new competition will feature annual matches and a biennial final tournament comprising 16 teams.

These changes come against a backdrop of controversy surrounding the final of the 2025 edition in January. A match between Senegal and Morocco descended into chaos when Senegal walked off the pitch following a contentious penalty call.

Although they later returned to win the game, Morocco contested that Senegal’s departure amounted to a rule violation, leading to a successful appeal that saw Morocco retroactively declared the champions in March, nearly two months after the final took place.

In a show of defiance against this decision, Senegal has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and was seen parading the trophy in Paris over the weekend.

Samson Adamu, Caf's competitions director, will assume the role of acting general secretary.
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba resigns

Samson Adamu, Caf’s competitions director in the photo, will assume the role of acting general secretary following the resignation of General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba

The general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), Veron Mosengo-Omba, has resigned amid a tumultuous period for football in Africa.

His retirement follows the controversial decision to strip Senegal of hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and the last-minute postponement of the women’s tournament, plunging CAF into a crisis of confidence.

In his resignation statement, Mosengo-Omba noted, “Now that I’ve cleared the doubts some have cast on me, I can step down with peace of mind, knowing I leave Caf better positioned than ever.”

The 66-year-old faced criticism for extending his tenure past the organisation’s mandatory retirement age of 63 and was accused of creating a toxic work environment, although an investigation found no wrongdoing.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mosengo-Omba has served as General Secretary since March 2021. Samson Adamu, Caf’s competitions director, will assume the role of acting general secretary.

CAF is also awaiting a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Senegal’s appeal against losing the Afcon title, which followed a controversial match against Morocco, where Senegal was declared to have forfeited after walking off the field in protest.

DR Congo set for Jamaica cracker for a spot at World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

DR Congo set for Jamaica cracker for a spot at World Cup

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) is set to face Jamaica in the final of Path A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-off Tournament, where a coveted spot in the global event is at stake.

Jamaica secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over New Caledonia in the semi-final held at the Guadalajara Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Friday morning (Central Africa Time).

Wrexham’s Bailey Cadamarteri was the standout player for the Reggae Boyz, scoring the decisive goal in the 18th minute. Ronaldo Webster took a shot from a set piece just outside the area, forcing New Caledonia’s goalkeeper, Rocky Nyikeine, to make a save.

The goalkeeper deflected the ball to his right, right into the path of the onrushing Cadamarteri, who made no mistake from close range.

The Reggae Boyz fired off 12 shots, with four hitting the target, while New Caledonia could only manage five shots, two of which were on goal.

Having claimed victory in last year’s African play-off tournament, DR Congo automatically secured a place in the World Cup Play-off Tournament final and now knows who it will be up against.

The Leopards triumphed over both Cameroon and Nigeria to reach this point and are eager to clinch a spot in the World Cup for the first time since their initial appearance as Zaire in 1974.

Jamaica and DR Congo will clash at the Guadalajara Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, (15:00 local time) the winner earning a place in the World Cup in this high-stakes showdown.

Morocco draw with Ecuador in first friendly under new coach
by Football Sierra Leone

Morocco draw with Ecuador in first friendly under new coach

The Morocco national football team played to a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in their first friendly match of March, marking an important step in their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Held at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, this match was notable for being the debut of new head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who recently took over from Walid Regragui. Ecuador struck first in the 48th minute when John Yeboah linked up well with Gonzalo Plata before firing a shot from inside the box into the net.

Morocco answered back in the 59th minute when Neil El Aynaoui was fouled in the penalty area by Plata. The referee awarded a penalty, which El Aynaoui took in the 62nd minute. Though the Ecuadorian goalkeeper saved the initial shot, the ball rebounded to Rabii Hrimat, who found the net, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review indicated encroachment.

The Atlas Lions finally found their equalizer in the 88th minute. A perfectly delivered corner kick from Achraf Hakimi was met with a powerful header from El Aynaoui, who scored his first international goal and leveled the match before it ended in a 1-1 draw.

Looking ahead, Morocco is set to face the Paraguay national team in another friendly on March 31. They’ve been placed in Group C for the World Cup, where they’ll compete against Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.

Burundi thrash Chad in first leg AFCON 2027 preliminary qualifier
by Football Sierra Leone

Burundi thrash Chad in AFCON 2027 preliminary qualifier first leg

Burundi took a strong step towards the next round of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers with a convincing 4-0 away win against Chad in the first leg on Friday.

Goals from Jordi Liongola, Bienvenue Kanakimana, Abdoul Karim, and Mossi Nduwumwe led Burundi to a decisive 4-0 victory over Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno in N’Djamena.

This strong performance gives Burundi a significant advantage ahead of the return leg in Bujumbura as they aim for progression to the group stage qualifiers for the upcoming continental finals in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Burundi quickly took the lead with Liongola’s goal in the sixth minute, followed by Kanakimana in the 32nd. Despite Chad’s efforts, Burundi maintained control, with Karim scoring in the 63rd minute and Nduwumwe adding a fourth in the 74th.

In another match, Somalia and Mauritius ended in a goalless draw. The preliminary round marks the start of the journey to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027, with Burundi heading into the second leg with confidence, while Chad faces a daunting challenge to reverse the deficit.

Nigeria Super Eagles edge Iran In Friday's International friendly
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria edge Iran in Friday’s international friendly

Goals from Moses Simon, marking his 96th senior cap for Nigeria, and Jerome Akor Adams secured a 2-1 victory for Nigeria against Iran in an international friendly held in Antalya, Turkey, on Friday.

At the Corendon Airlines Park in Antalya, the Super Eagles showcased a blend of early attacking flair and late defensive solidity, reflecting the evolving identity of an Eric Chelle-coached team. The three-time AFCON champions quickly asserted their dominance in the match.

From the kickoff, Samuel Chukwueze set up Moses Simon, who scored just six minutes in, giving Nigeria an early lead. Chelle’s side kept control in the first half but couldn’t extend their advantage before halftime.

After the break, debutant Emmanuel Fernandez replaced Semi Ajayi, and six minutes later, Ademola Lookman assisted Akor Adams to double the lead. Nigeria added Chibuike Nwaiwu for Igoh Ogbu, marking his debut.

Iran responded with a goal from Mehdi Taremi, but Nigeria held firm. Chelle made further substitutions, bringing on Paul Onuachu, Chidera Ejuke, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to maintain energy and control.

Frank Onyeka also made a late appearance, helping Nigeria close out the match. This victory marks Nigeria’s second win over Iran, with their last meeting resulting in a goalless draw at the 2014 World Cup.

Next, the Super Eagles face Jordan on March 31, offering Chelle another chance to prepare for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

General Secretary shake-up at the Confederation of African Football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

General Secretary shake-up at the Confederation of African Football

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is bracing for a shake-up following the announcement that its long-time general secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, intends to step down.

As reported by AfricaSoccer.com, the official from DR Congo will leave his position when CAF’s Executive Committee meets in Cairo on Friday.

Mosengo-Omba’s decision comes amid growing criticism of his continued tenure, particularly after he surpassed the organisation’s mandatory retirement age.

According to sources within CAF’s Executive Committee, if Mosengo-Omba does not resign voluntarily, some influential board members are ready to seek his immediate removal formally.

The controversy centres on CAF’s Regulation 130, which mandates a retirement age of 63, with a maximum three-year extension. Mosengo-Omba, who was appointed in March 2021 at age 61, reached this threshold in October 2022.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe granted him the full extension, which lapses in October 2025. After that, no further extensions can be granted—yet Mosengo-Omba has remained in his role, even as he oversaw major tournaments such as December’s AFCON in Morocco.

His extended presence in office has revealed deeper issues within CAF. Critics argue that permitting a senior official to stay beyond the legal limit undermines the organization’s credibility and governance.

There are also concerns that contracts signed during this period may be challenged. The lack of action from CAF’s oversight bodies, including its Audit and Governance Committees, has heightened worries about accountability.

Adding to the scrutiny is Mosengo-Omba’s close relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Although FIFA has not publicly commented, critics view its silence as implicit support.

Insiders describe the atmosphere surrounding CAF’s leadership as increasingly “toxic,” which has led Mosengo-Omba to choose a voluntary departure over a public showdown.

With no deputy general secretaries appointed throughout his tenure, CAF now finds itself facing a leadership void. The organisation must swiftly decide whether to focus on succession planning or to overhaul its governance structures in a bid to restore credibility.