Category: Sport News

Defender Osman Kakay makes Košice FC debut in friendly draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Osman Kakay makes Košice debut in friendly draw

Sierra Leone international Osman Kakay made his debut for Košice in a 1-1 draw against the Hungarian team Diósgyőr VTK during their final summer training camp.

Karlo Miljanić scored the equaliser in the second half. This game was also a final test for the yellow-blues before they started their journey in the European Cup. Coach Roman Skuhravý fielded Osman Kakay, who recently transferred from Boavista Porto, giving the match added significance.

Košice will play their next match at home on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 8:00 p.m., against the Belarusian club Neman Grodno. This match will be the opening round of the second qualifying phase for the European Conference League.

Carlisle United sign Ugandan defender Bevis Mugabi to bolster squad
by Football Sierra Leone

Carlisle United sign Ugandan defender Bevis Mugabi to bolster squad

As the club tries to rebuild its team after relegation from the English Football League, Carlisle United Football Club has formally confirmed the purchase of seasoned Ugandan defender Bevis Mugabi on a two-year deal.

After a brief stint at Cypriot side Anorthosis, the 30-year-old player reunites with Brunton Park, having previously spent four years in the Scottish Premiership with Motherwell. Mugabi played 125 times during his time at Fir Park before leaving in the summer of 2023.

Originally from the youth academies of Fulham and Southampton, Mugabi became well-known during his time at Yeovil Town, where he played in the English Football League before relocating north of the border. He has 20 caps for the Uganda national team on the global stage.

Carlisle United’s head of recruitment, Martin Foyle, praised the defender’s profile, adding, He has a wealth of experience from Scotland, overseas, and international football; he has a great attitude that will help to raise expectations on and off the field.

Modou Kéba Cissé from LASK pens Aston Villa deal
by FSL News

Modou Kéba Cissé from LASK pens Aston Villa deal

Premier League side Aston Villa have signed defender Modou Kéba Cisse over from Austrian club LASK. (Photo Credit – Aston Villa FC)

“Aston Villa is happy to announce the signing of Modou Kéba Cissé from LASK on a precontract agreement, the Premier League club has confirmed.

Cissé made his senior debut last season, appearing ten times in the Bundesliga and scoring once. He will spend the 2025–26 campaign with the Austrian side and will link up with Villa next season.

Born in Senegal, he rose through the ranks at Spanish team Real Avila before transferring to LASK last summer. Regarded as an intriguing future player, Cisse played 13 times in the Austrian Bundesliga last year.

SLFA's Incumbent Thomas Brima disqualified for re-election bid
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

SLFA’s Incumbent Thomas Brima disqualified for re-election bid

SLFA’s Incumbent Thomas Brima disqualified for re-election bid

Thomas Daddy Brima, the current head of the Sierra Leone Football Association, is not included in the final list of contenders for the August 2nd election.

A leaked list was circulated, but it did not explain the reasons for the disqualifications of the only female candidate, Ms. Aminata Bangura, and Thomas Dady Brima by the Ethics Committee.

Since Mr. Brima is presently inaccessible, representatives for Ms. Aminata have already stated their plans to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

With just fourteen days remaining until the election, it’s surprising that the official SLFA media platforms have yet to make a formal announcement. This silence raises important questions about the communication strategy leading up to such a crucial event.

The SLFA electoral officials have announced that its 2025 Ordinary Congress will take place on August 2, 2025, at the Gateway Hotel in Lungi.

The listed names for 2025 SLFA's elections
The listed names for 2025 SLFA's elections
Cameroon's Bryan Mbeumo heading to Manchester United
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo heading to Manchester United

Brentford has accepted Manchester United’s £65 million offer for Bryan Mbeumo. Before Ruben Amorim’s team departs for their preseason tour on Tuesday, the Cameroon international might undergo a medical checkup with the club.

Following the summer acquisitions of forward Matheus Cunha and left-back Diego Leon, the 25-year-old winger is expected to be United’s third signing.

Originally bid £55 million at the beginning of June, United made a further bid of £62.5 million after that month; neither of which was accepted.

The most recent bid Brentford has accepted has an initial £65 million that might rise to £70 million with £5 million in possible extras. From Troyes in 2019, Mbeumo will be the most costly transfer Brentford has ever made.

With one goal for France at the U17, U20, and U21 levels, Mbeumo won ten caps. Following a London meeting with Samuel Eto’o in August 2022, Mbeumo proclaimed his senior international allegiance to the Cameroon national team.

With three appearances coming during Cameroon’s 2022 World Cup campaign before the team’s group stage exit, he made nine appearances and scored one goal during the 2022–23 season.

Having featured in three of Cameroon’s four 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games and scoring one goal, injury disqualified Mbeumo from the ultimate competition.

Nigeria Super falcons thrash Copper Queens to reach WAFCON semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ruthless Super Falcons thrash Copper Queens to reach WAFCON semis

On July 18, 2025, the Nigeria Super Falcons won their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarterfinal with an impressive 5-0 win over Zambia.

The Copper Queens were anticipated to put up a tough fight against the seasoned nine-time champions, but they were overwhelmed by an impressive display marked by sharp finishing.

The West Africans seized control early on, with centre-back Osinachi Ohale finding himself unmarked during a second-minute free-kick, allowing him to head the ball past Petronella Musole.

Osinachi Ohale scored the first goal only two minutes into the game. Esther Okoronkwo scored a second in the 33rd minute, followed by Chinwendu Ihezuo’s goal just before halftime, bringing the score to 30, and Nigeria continued to dominate.

Tosin Demehin scored a free kick for a fourth goal in the 69th minute in the second half, and Nigeria guaranteed their win with a fifth goal in stoppage time.

Though Zambia tried many times, including attempts from their star player, Barbra Banda, they could not score, and Nigeria’s defence ensured a clean sheet. Coach Justin Madugu made critical replacements in the second half to sustain momentum, bringing in Asisat Oshoala among others. This game dashed Zambia’s dreams of winning their first WAFCON title.

Nigeria's Falcons set for cracker against Zambia's Copper Queens
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s Falcons set for cracker against Zambia’s Copper Queens

As they face Zambia in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Nigeria will carry on their quest for the continental crown this Friday. At Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, the game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. GMT.

With seven points from their three games, the Super Falcons controlled Group B. Starting their effort with a 3-0 victory over Tunisia, they next squeezed a narrow 1-0 win against Botswana. With a scoreless draw against Algeria, Nigeria earned first place in their group.

Having won nine titles since the tournament adopted a tournament format in 1998, Nigeria is the most decorated team in the history of the competition. They were dethroned in 2022 when South Africa took the title in Morocco, though.

Although Zambia tied Nigeria’s points total, she lost the first position to hosts Morocco based on goal differential and finished second in Group A. Opening their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Morocco, the Copper Queens beat Senegal 3-2 and finished the group phase with a 1-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The third-place playoff of the last edition, also conducted in Morocco, was when these two teams met at WAFCON last. Emerging victorious in that game, the Copper Queens took the bronze medal with 1-0.

Nigeria vs Zambia set for WAFCON Quarterfinal
Nigeria vs Zambia set for WAFCON Quarterfinal
Senegalese defender El Hadji Malick Diouf pens West Ham deal
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegalese defender El Hadji Malick Diouf pens West Ham deal

West Ham have signed Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague for £19 million. The 20-year-old will join the club’s preseason training camp in Germany this week.

When Slavia Prague claimed the Czech top-flight championship last season, Diouf was instrumental in their victory. Though many clubs wanted him, he selected West Ham because it fit my plan.

“I want to let the West Ham fans know I am here with them very gladly. Diouf told the club’s website, I believe we will have a great season this year.

Everyone wants to come here to play in the Premier League. Everyone, I believe, dreams of this.”

Diouf, who can play at left back or left wingback, was a player the club had been monitoring for some time, said manager Graham Potter.

“I believe he would be a great addition to the team; he is young, hungry, and ambitious.”

At 18, Diouf left Senegal for Norway’s Tromso in February 2023, scoring three goals in 21 games. A year later, he joined Slavia Prague, where he scored on his debut.

Last season, he netted seven goals as Slavia won the championship, conceding only 18 goals in 35 games. Diouf made his Senegal debut in a Nations Cup qualifier against Burundi in September 2024 and participated in a friendly win over England in June.

Kenya assures readiness for African Nations Championship
by FSL News

Kenya assures readiness for African Nations Championship

According to CAF Online, Kenyan officials have performed security checks at important locations in anticipation of the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), proving the country’s preparedness to hold the event.

With the tournament set to kick off on August 3, Kenya is co-hosting alongside Tanzania and Uganda. Kipchumba Murkomen, the Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security, was part of a team that reviewed the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium, both of which will host matches during the event.

The Kenyan government is committed to ensuring the safety of teams, fans, and officials during the tournament. Murkomen stated, “We want to assure Africa and the world that Kenya is fully prepared to host CHAN 2024 in a secure and welcoming environment.”

He added, “Comprehensive security protocols are in place from our airports to our stadiums to guarantee the smooth operation of the tournament.”

After inspecting Nyayo, Kasarani, and the training facilities, he expressed confidence in the country’s level of readiness. “Kenya is not just ready; we’re also determined to provide a memorable CHAN experience,” he mentioned.

Moreover, the nation has announced visa-free entry for all African nations during the tournament, making it easier for football fans from across the continent to attend.

Right-back Osman Kakay joins FC Kosice in Slovakia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Right-back Osman Kakay joins FC Kosice in Slovakia

Slovak First League club FC Košice has signed Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay on a free transfer until May 2027.

In two preseason games for League One team Blackpool against Accrington Stanley and AFC Fylde, the former QPR player showed up. He has formally become part of his new team in Nike League Central Europe.

“We needed to strengthen the right side, and we managed to get Osman Kakay, who is a very honest and experienced footballer. He has hard work, discipline and footballing ability. He proved it at Queens Park Rangers and also at Boavista Porto. He is exactly the type of footballer that we are missing, and I am convinced that a very high-quality player is coming to us,” said FC Košice sports director Marek Sapara regarding the new reinforcement.

As his new team will be playing in the UEFA Conference League, this move offers a fantastic chance for the defender to revive his career.

Košice came in fifth place last season and qualified for the semifinals of the Slovak First Football League playoff for a European spot, but FK Železiarne Podbrezová defeated them in a penalty shootout.

Košice was given a place in the UEFA Conference League, nevertheless since FC Dunajská Streda was eliminated due to common ownership with another team competing in the Conference League.

Sierra Leone international Kakay developed his skills in the QPR academy and gained experience through loan spells with Livingston, Chesterfield, and Partick Thistle.

He made 113 appearances for QPR, contributing two assists from his defensive role. QPR announced he would leave the team after his contract expires on May 6, 2024. He joined Primeira Liga club Boavista on a free transfer this year and has made nine appearances so far.