Category: Sport News

Striker Kelechi Iheanacho could return to English football
by Football Sierra Leone

Kelechi Iheanacho signs for Middlesbrough on loan from Sevilla

Middlesbrough is in talks to sign former Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho on loan until the end of the season.

Iheanacho, 28, left Leicester City in the summer to join Sevilla in Spain. However, he has not made an impact there and has not scored in La Liga.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Leicester City began the 2021–22 season with the FA Community Shield match against Manchester City. Iheanacho came on as a substitute in the 79th minute and scored the winning goal with an 89th-minute penalty against his former club.

In the 2022–23 Season, Iheanacho was named Leicester’s Player of the Year after a season that ultimately led to the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

In the 2023–24 Season, Iheanacho scored six goals in 26 matches across all competitions as Leicester City secured promotion back to the Premier League by winning the EFL Championship. However, on June 7, Leicester City announced that he would be released and would not sign a new contract with the club.

Iheanacho and Leicester started the 2021–22 season with the 2021 FA Community Shield against Manchester City. Iheanacho was substituted on during the 79th minute and scored the winning goal, an 89th-minute penalty against his former club.

Guinean striker Mai Traore joins League Two side Nott County
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Notts County bolster squad with Guinean striker Mai Traore

English League Two third-place team, Notts County has bolstered their squad with forward Mai Traore from Norwegian club Fredrikstad for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old player from Guinea will have a two-and-a-half-year contract, with an option for another year if the club chooses.

Traore started his career in Scandinavia with Swedish club Vasalunds IF, where he scored 23 goals in 29 games in 2020. His performance earned him a move to Viking FK in Norway.

He joined Fredrikstad last January and has played over 60 matches in the Norwegian top league.

“Mai is an exciting signing for us,” said Notts director Richard Montague.

“He adds speed, strength, and the ability to score and assist goals. He is good at pressing, has strong link-up play, and being left-footed adds variety to our attack.

“His time in Scandinavia shows he can have an immediate impact for us, and we believe he has great potential to improve.”

Notts County is currently third in League Two and will play at home against Morecambe on Saturday.

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John Eustace from Rovers believes that Augustus can be a game-changer
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Rovers’ John Eustace believes that Augustus can be a game-changer

Blackburn manager John Eustace is hopeful that Augustus Kargbo can make a big impact for Rovers. Kargbo is the team’s third signing of the January transfer window.

Currently sitting in fifth place as they fight for promotion to the Premier League, the Sierra Leone international joined the club from Cesena, a Serie B team in Italy, on a permanent transfer that runs until 2027. Eustace, the 25-year-old coach, believes that Kargbo has the skills needed to enhance his squad.

The fans met Kargbo before Friday night’s win against Preston North End. He may debut for Blackburn when the team plays Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night.

Eustace is happy to add more players to help score goals. Kargbo joins Adam Forshaw and Dion Sanderson as new signings.

“He brings pace and power and can play in any forward position,” Eustace said in an interview with RoversTV, highlighting Kargbo’s strengths. “We are pleased to get this signing done, and we will see what happens next.

“We want to be positive and effective in the final third of the game.

“I know the club has worked hard to bring him here, and I hope he makes a big difference.”

The former AC Reggiana 1919 attacker could make his English Championship debut on Tuesday when they face Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Blackburn manager John Eustace and new acquisition Augustus Kargbo, who he believes can make a big impact for Rovers.
Blackburn manager John Eustace and new acquisition Augustus Kargbo, who he believes can make a big impact for Rovers.
Paul Onuachu nets to help Southamtop beat Ipswich Town
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s Paul Onuachu nets winner to help Southampton beat Ipswich Town

Nigerian International Paul Onuachu scored a late goal, giving Southampton their first Premier League win since November against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon.

Southampton remains bottom of the table with nine points from 24 games. This victory ended a six-game losing streak and was their first win under manager Ivan Juric.

Southampton manager, Ivan Jurić said, “It’s a great feeling. The players deserved it because they worked hard. They played well before but didn’t win. Today we won. We will enjoy tonight. I believe the team can improve.”

Southampton took the lead when fellow Nigerian Joe Aribo’s shot surprised Ipswich keeper Arijanet Muric. Liam Delap equalized before halftime, getting past captain Jan Bednarek to score.

In a dull match, both teams had chances, but Onuachu scored from a rebound after a save by Muric. Ipswich looked poised to escape the relegation zone but remained in 19th place.

McKenna acknowledged, “We had a better game but didn’t win. We must keep playing well and improve.”

Ipswich has conceded 14 goals in four straight losses. They saw Southampton’s visit as a chance to turn things around but need to be more effective in front of goal.

Despite decent play, Ipswich struggled to score. A weak early shot from winger Enciso, saved easily by Ramsdale, showed their ongoing scoring issues.

Zamalek enter race to Alhassan Koroma in the current transfer window
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zamalek enter race to sign Alhassan Koroma in current window

Zamalek’s Board of Directors is focused on acquiring Sierra Leone international Alhassan Koroma as part of their efforts to strengthen the first football team during the current winter transfer period.

According to Cairo 24, the African giants aim to sign the 24-year-old winger from Al-Shahaniya Club in Qatar, who also plays for the Sierra Leone national team.

Zamalek intends to bring in Alhassan Koroma on a six-month loan, with an option to buy at the end of the season if the player performs well with the team.

So far this season, Koroma has played 14 matches for his Qatari club, scoring four goals and providing four assists.

Notably, Alhassan Koroma scored the winning goal for his team in their recent match against Al Wakra, which features Hamdi Fathi, the former star of Al Ahly and the Egyptian national team.

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Egypt's Mohamed Salah becomes Premier League sixth all-time top scorer
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah into Premier League top six all-time top scorers

Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been a key player in Premier League history and continues to rise in all-time goals rankings.

He scored two goals, making him the sixth-highest scorer in Premier League history and helping Liverpool maintain a nine-point lead at the top of the table.

Salah scored the first goal from a penalty at Bournemouth and added another goal 15 minutes before the end of the match, securing three points for his team.

Salah is one of only five players in Premier League history to score 20 or more league goals in five or more seasons. He joins well-known players like Alan Shearer, Sergio Agüero, Harry Kane, and Thierry Henry.

He also surpassed Frank Lampard to become the sixth-highest goalscorer in the league’s history.

In a season where Arne Slot hopes to win league honours, he may owe some of that success to Salah.

Six Days to the 35th edition AFCON 2025 draw in Morocco
by Football Sierra Leone

The schedule for Africa Cup of Nations 2025 confirmed

  • Morocco and Comoros will start the tournament on December 21, 2025. The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations will take place in six cities with nine stadiums. The final match will be held at the 69,500-seat Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on January 18, 2026.

The Confederation African Football (CAF) has released the match schedule for this major football event. Nine venues in six cities will host the tournament.

The opening game between Morocco and Comoros will take place at the new Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

Rabat will feature four venues for the matches. The other host cities include Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier, each with one venue.

Quarter-final matches will happen in Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir. The semi-finals will be in Rabat and Tangier, while the third-place play-off will take place at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

A total of 52 matches will occur over 29 days, showcasing the talent and excitement of African football.

Click here to download the full match schedule 

Sierra Leone winger Augustus Kargbo pens Blackburn Rovers deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone winger Augustus Kargbo pens Blackburn Rovers deal

Blackburn Rovers have signed Sierra Leone international Augustus Kargbo on a permanent deal until 2027. The 25-year-old forward joins from Cesena on a two-and-a-half-year contract, with details of the transfer fee undisclosed.

Kargbo, who is Rovers’ third signing of the January transfer window, started his professional career at Campobasso and later moved to Crotone in Serie B. After a successful loan at Reggiana, where he scored 11 goals and helped the team gain promotion, he made his Serie A debut with Crotone.

Kargbo scored three goals in 18 appearances for the Serie B side this season – all coming in the opening nine games of the season.

In August 2023, Kargbo joined Cesena and had a standout season, scoring nine goals in 31 appearances, helping the club win the Serie C title. He has also found the net for the Sierra Leone national team, with five goals in 21 caps.

The transfer is pending approval from football authorities, and he will be available for selection once international clearance and visa requirements are met.

Moroccan Hakim Ziyech pens Al Duhail deal in qatar
by FSL News

Moroccan Hakim Ziyech pens Al Duhail deal in Qatar

Moroccan international football player Hakim Ziyech has officially joined Qatari club Al Duhail. The club announced the news today, stressing that its “management succeeded in obtaining the signature of the Moroccan international player Hakim Ziyech in order to join the first football team.” 

“Al Duhail Sports Club Management succeeded in obtaining the signature of the Moroccan international player Hakim Ziyech to join the first football team,” the club noted

Signing Ziyech is considered a strong addition to the team’s offensive line, given his long experience after a career full of participation with his country’s national team, which began in 2015, in addition to playing for Chelsea, Ajax, Twente, Heerenveen, and finally with Galatasaray before joining Al Duhail.

Ziyech had tough experiences with his former clubs, particularly Galatasaray and Chelsea. The Atlas Lion faced the challenges of being benched with Chelsea and also spoke of experiencing personal issues with the Turkish club’s coach.  

Sierra Leone native Amara Nallo sent off in defeat to PSV
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone native Amara Nallo sent off in Liverpool’s defeat to PSV

Liverpool teenager Amara Nallo was sent off just four minutes into his Champions League and Liverpool debut, as his team lost 3-2 to PSV on Wednesday. At 18 years and 72 days old, he became the youngest player to receive a red card for Liverpool, breaking Michael Owen’s record.

Since Liverpool had already qualified for the Champions League round 16, manager Arne Slot used a young squad. Nallo came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute. Shortly after, he fouled PSV’s Johan Bakayoko, and the referee ruled it denied a clear goalscoring chance, leading to the red card.

PSV took the lead with a penalty from Cody Gakpo in the 28th minute. Bakayoko equalized, but Harvey Elliott quickly scored for Liverpool. PSV then scored two more goals before halftime.

Despite the defeat, Liverpool finished top of their group with 21 points from eight matches. They will move directly to the round of 16 in March, facing either PSG, Benfica, AS Monaco, or Brest, but Nallo will miss the first leg due to suspension.

Centre-back Amara Nallo joined Liverpool from West Ham United in September 2023. An England U19 international, Nallo is now a regular for the Reds’ U21s after impressing with the U18s initially.