Category: Sport News

Everton's Beto and four new faces in Guinea-Bissau squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Everton’s Beto and four new faces in Guinea-Bissau squad

Commonly known as Beto, Everton forward Norberto Bercique Gomes Betuncal set to lead Guinea Bissau squad for Group A World Cup qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso this month.

Head coach Boa Morte has also called up four new players: defenders Babacar Fati and Mario Junior, attacker Vando Felix, and midfielder Tamble Monteiro. Sene Camara is the only player from the local Bissau-Guinean league in the squad.

On a four-year deal, Beto transferred from Udinese to Everton in the last week of the 2023/24 summer transfer window. Since October 2024, he has scored once for the Guinea Bissau national team and made four appearances.

From early 2025, he has six goals for Everton and will be the forward for Djurtus, especially since top forward Baldé is hurt and midfielder Moreto Cassama has no club since August 2024.

Guinea-Bissau is currently second in Group A with six points, four points behind leaders Egypt.

The winner of the group secures a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Four out of the nine runners-up from the group will compete in a playoff to decide Africa’s participant in the intercontinental qualifying playoff.

Bundu nets, Juma Bah, 7.2 rating, Osimhen hattrick ahead of World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bundu nets, Bah 7.2 rating, Osimhen hattrick ahead of World Cup qualifiers

African footballers across Europe made the headlines ahead of this month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the race to the United States Canada and Mexico.

  • Mustapha Bundu (Plymouth Argyle, England)

Sierra Leone’s Mustapha Bundu scored, but his team lost 3-2 to Derby County in the English Championship. Marcus Harness netted two goals for Derby, aiding their survival hopes against bottom-placed Plymouth Argyle. He is expected to join the Sierra Leone squad for crucial matches against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt.

  • Juma Bah on loan to Lens in France

The Sierra Leone-born player has made vital contributions since starting in the Lens first team. This past weekend, he was a standout performer as they defeated Stade Rennais. In his first start for Lens the previous weekend, he helped the French side overcome Marseille with a 7.2 rating overall.

  • Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Nigeria)

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick for Galatasaray in their latest league match. On loan from Napoli, he has 26 goals and five assists this season, leading the league with 20 goals, two ahead of Krzysztof Piątek.

  • Amine Gouiri (Marseille, Algeria)

Despite Olympique de Marseille’s 3-1 defeat to league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, Amine Gouiri continued his impressive run of form. The Algerian forward has been a key addition to Marseille’s squad, boasting four goals and three assists in just seven appearances for the club.

  • Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis, DR Congo)

Cédric Bakambu played a key role in Real Betis’ comeback against Leganés. After coming on in the 62nd minute with the team down 2-0, he won a penalty converted by Isco and scored the equalizer. Betis won 3-2, highlighting Bakambu’s decisive impact.

  • Hamza Igamane (Rangers, Morocco)

Hamza Igamane made a significant impact off the bench for Rangers in the Scottish derby against Celtic. Coming on in the 83rd minute, he scored a dramatic winner in the 89th minute, clinching a vital victory for his team as he gears up for his first call-up to the Atlas Lions.

Sierra Leone's Mustapha Bundu scored, but his team lost 3-2 to Derby County in the English Championship.
Sierra Leone's Mustapha Bundu scored, but his team lost 3-2 to Derby County in the English Championship.
Six arrive as Nigeria start World Cup qualifying prep for Rwanda tie
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Six arrive as Nigeria start World Cup qualifying prep for Rwanda tie

The Nigeria Super Eagles have started preparing for an important World Cup qualifying match against Rwanda.

Six players, including Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray, defender Bruno Onyemaechi, and goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, arrived in Kigali on Sunday. They checked into the Radisson Blu Hotel, where the team is based.

They were later joined by Papa Daniel Mustapha, Amas Obasogie, and Tolu Arokodare. On Sunday evening, head coach Eric Chelle and his staff also arrived in Rwanda to help the team get ready for the match.

The Super Eagles will play against the Amavubi at Amahoro Stadium on Friday. After this match, they will return to Nigeria to host Zimbabwe four days later at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

More players are expected to join the camp soon. The team is intensifying its preparations to secure crucial points in this double-header and improve their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Isaac Babadi will not join Sierra Leone for U20 Tourney - Peter Bosz
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Isaac Babadi will not join Sierra Leone for U20 AFCON – Peter Bosz

PSV will not release their young midfielder to the Sierra Leone Under-20 team for the Africa Cup of Nations, as confirmed by head coach Peter Bosz ahead of the match against RKC.

Isaac, 19, played the full throttle of the match as PSV defeated RKC Waalwijk 3-0 in week 26 of the Eredisie.

Last week, according to brother Samuel Babadi, the nineteen-year-old PSV player was invited to Sierra Leone. “They have been after Isaac for a long time. From the time he was sixteen, they wanted him for the first team of Sierra Leone,” he explained in the ESPN program Tekengeld –However, that tournament will take place in Cote d’Ivoire between 26 April and 18 May 2025., which means that Babadi would have to miss the season finale with PSV. Peter Bosz has now decided to put a stop to that. “He will not go there, no.”

Isaac Babadi’s transition from the academy to the main squad is not surprising to many experts. He joined the PSV Academy at the age of 12 and made his professional debut in 2022 with Young PSV. Before he played thirty matches in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, scoring five goals.

Isaac Babadi made his professional debut for Jong PSV on January 10, 2022. He replaced Johan Bakayoko during a 5–1 home win against Almere City, which was the team’s biggest win of the season at that time.

For the 2023–24 season, Babadi joined the senior team at PSV. He debuted on August 4, 2023, as a starter in the 2023 Johan Cruyff Shield, which PSV won 1–0, giving Babadi his first trophy in his first game.

Four days later, he played his first European match in a Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz. Babadi scored the first goal in the 4th minute, contributing to a 4–1 victory for PSV. In March 2024, PSV and Babadi announced that they signed a new contract, which will last until 2028.

Regarding his international career, Babadi played for the Netherlands at the 2022 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. He captained the team, leading them to the final, where they lost to France. He scored the decisive penalty in the semifinal shootout against Serbia.

Sierra Leone U17 Women's bow out of World Cup qualifiers
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone U17 Women’s bow out of World Cup qualifiers

Sierra Leone National U-17 women’s team journey in the CAF U-17 World Cup qualifiers has ended after a challenging second-leg match. They were beaten 2-1 by Guinea at the Stade Mamadou KONATE in Mali, leading to a final aggregate score of 4-3.

Guinea will advance to face Ivory Coast in the third round of the qualifiers, scheduled for April 2025, after Ivory Coast eliminated Burundi in the second round.

In other news, the U-17 Women’s Team of Côte d’Ivoire achieved an impressive turnaround against Burundi in the second round of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

After a 3-1 loss at home in the first leg, the young Elephants bounced back with a decisive 3-0 victory in the return match on Wednesday, March 12, securing their place in the third and final round of qualifiers.

Côte d’Ivoire is the first country to clinch its spot in the third round of the qualifying matches for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Attacker Abu Kamara helps Hull City earn a point at the Hawthorns
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Abu Kamara helps Hull City earn a point at the Hawthorns

Sierra Leone native Abu Kamara scored the equaliser as West Bromwich Albion was held to a 1-1 draw against Hull City, marking their 18th draw of the season.

Isaac Price gave Albion a deserved lead with a left-footed volley that went in off the post. The hosts nearly opened the scoring earlier when John Swift hit the crossbar.

However, Hull equalized through substitute Abu Kamara, who scored from Kasey Palmer’s knockdown of Lewie Coyle’s cross. Hull almost took the win late on, but Joe Wildsmith made a brilliant save from Brazilian playmaker Lincoln.

Albion, which has drawn more than any other team in the top four tiers, sits sixth, just above Bristol City on goal difference. With their unbeaten streak now at four games, Hull has seen their buffer over the relegation zone shrink to three points.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray expressed frustration over not converting enough chances: “We had 16 shots but only three on target, which is not good enough. We need to improve our final product.”

Hull City’s Ruben Selles acknowledged West Brom’s quality: “They were more in control in the first half, but we responded well and created chances in the second half. It was a fair point for both teams.”

Salah, Marmoush & Trézéguet in Egypt squad for Ethiopia & Sierra Leone
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Salah, Marmoush & Trézéguet in Egypt squad for Ethiopia & Sierra Leone

Liverpool and Premier League top scorer, Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, and Mahmoud Trezeguet have all been included in Egypt’s squad for the upcoming matches against Ethiopia and Sierra Leone.

Egypt’s national team manager, Hossam Hassan, has announced a talented squad ahead of their World Cup 2026 qualifiers this month.

The seven-time African champions currently lead Group A with 10 points from four matches, having achieved three wins and one draw. The group also includes Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Djibouti.

Egypt’s match against Ethiopia will be held in Morocco at 11:00 PM Cairo time, while the home match against Sierra Leone is scheduled for 9:00 PM on March 25th in Cairo.

In their second match of the campaign, Egypt claimed a 2-0 victory over Sierra Leone, with Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet scoring in the 18th and 62nd minutes. The match took place in Liberia in November 2023 of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Full Egypt’s 24-man squad
 

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Ahly), Mostafa Shobeir (Ahly), Mohamed Awad (Zamalek), and Abdelaziz El-Balouti (NBE Club).

Defenders: Mohamed Abdel Moneim (Nice, France), Rami Rabia (Ahly), Mohamed Hani (Ahly), Ahmed Eid (Zamalek), Khaled Sobhi (Masry), and Hossam Abdelmaguid (Zamalek).

Midfielders: Hamdy Fathy (Al Wakrah, Qatar), Marwan Attia (Ahly), Ahmed Nabil (Ahly), Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek), Nabil Emad (Zamalek), Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed (Zamalek), and Mahmoud Saber (Pyramids FC).

Forwards: Mahmoud Trezeguet (Al Rayyan, Qatar), Omar Marmoush (Man City, England), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England), Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes, France), Mostafa Fathi (Pyramids FC), Ibrahim Adel (Pyramids FC), and Osama Faisal (NBE Club).

Gabon’s head coach Thierry Mouyouma names Gabon squad for double header
by Football Sierra Leone

Gabon’s head coach Thierry Mouyouma names squad for double header

Gabon’s head coach, Thierry Mouyouma, has announced three new players in his squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Seychelles and Kenya: Nzé Samaké, Yoann Nani Nono, and Mobili Van, all receiving their first call-ups.

The announcement also marks the return of André Poko, who hasn’t played for the national team since June 2021. His experience, alongside established players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga, is expected to strengthen the team. Gabon currently sits second in Group F with nine points, just behind leaders Ivory Coast.

Gabon will face Seychelles in Franceville on March 20 and then travel to Nairobi to play Kenya on March 23, aiming for crucial points toward their goal of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Full Gabon Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Full Gabon Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui names squad, no Ziyech
by FSL News

Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui names squad, no Ziyech

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, has selected a 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Niger and Tanzania on March 21 and 25. However, Hakim Ziyech is not included.

The squad includes four new players: Bilal Nadir, Chemsedine Taibi, Hamza Igamane, and Omar El Hilali. This shows that the Atlas Lions are bringing in young talent to the team.

Two key players are missing from the squad due to injuries: Hakim Ziyech, a top playmaker, and Ayoub El Kaabi, a strong goal-scorer. Their absence will create challenges for Regragui as he adjusts his attack.

Returning to the squad are Jawad El Yamiq and goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid, who missed previous international matches. Their return adds strength to the defense and goalkeeping.

Morocco leads Group E in the qualifiers and wants to build on that success. They will play both matches in Oujda, where home support could help them earn six points.

With Ziyech and El Kaabi out, Youssef En-Nesyri, Soufiane Rahimi, Brahim Diaz, and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli will take on more attacking responsibilities. After Morocco’s impressive run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, there are high expectations for the team.

Key players like Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, and Nayef Aguerd remain important to the team’s goals. With a strong squad and home advantage, Morocco aims to win both matches and strengthen their reputation as one of Africa’s top football teams.

Morocco’s 26-Man Squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (Al Wehda), El Mehdi Benabid (FUS Rabat).

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United), Jawad El Yamiq (Al-Wahda), Abdel Abqar (Deportivo Alavés), Jamal Harkass (AS FAR), Omar El Hilali (Espanyol), Adam Aznou (Bayern Munich U19).

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Manchester United), Azzedine Ounahi (Marseille), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven), Bilal El Khannouss (Genk), Oussama Targhalline (Le Havre), Bilal Nadir (Nice).

Forwards: Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Amine Adli (Bayer Leverkusen), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Eliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco), Osame Sahraoui (Heerenveen), Hamza Igamane (Wydad AC), Chemsedine Taibi (FUS Rabat).

Juma Bah named in Sierra Leone's new head Mohamed Kallon first squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Juma Bah named in coach Mohamed Kallon’s first Sierra Leone squad

Sierra Leone’s new head coach, Mohamed Kallon, has announced his 25-man squad, which includes experienced striker Kei Kamara and the exciting Manchester City defender Juma Bah, who is currently on loan to Lens in France.

The Leone Stars are poised to continue their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a double-header. They are aiming for a spot in next year’s World Cup Finals, which will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Sierra Leone will encounter a tough matchup against Guinea-Bissau in the capital of Liberia on March 20, prior to moving on to face Group A leaders Egypt. Significantly, the squad will be without recent goal scorers Amadou Bakayoko and Augustus Kargbo, who is out due to a hamstring injury.

The squad consists of nine foreign-based players and a majority of home-based stars. Momoh Kamara, who played a pivotal role in helping Sierra Leone reach the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in history, has also been included.

First-time call-up players include defender Edward Bello Yillah of Mighty Blackpool, attacker Momoh Dumbuya from FC Kallon, midfielder James Kayamba and defender Citta Bah from Star Sport Academy, keeper Dauda Bangura from East End Lions, midfielders John B. Sesay and Mohamed Bangura from Bhantal FC.

The former Inter Milan and Monaco striker is focused on leading the Leone Stars to positive results this month in the Group A 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Mohamed Kallon squad predominately home stars 16 and 9 foreign stars - For the first time in many years!
Mohamed Kallon squad predominately home stars 16 and 9 foreign stars - For the first time in many years!