Category: Sport News

Jay tee Kamara joins Portland Hearts of Pine in the US
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jay tee Kamara joins Portland Hearts of Pine in the US

Sierra Leone’s Jay Tee Kamara has returned to the USA, joining the Portland Hearts of Pine after leaving the Swedish club Sandvikens IF. He spent one of his two seasons playing in the Swedish Second Division.

“I’m excited to be a part of the first-ever team in Portland, Maine, and I’m looking forward to bringing joy and excitement to all our supporters,” Kamara said.

Jay Tee’s soccer journey began in the vibrant streets of Sierra Leone, where he was born. He first honed his skills with Alaska FC in Sierra Leone before taking a significant step by moving to the United States to attend Montverde Academy in Florida.

In 2021, Jay Tee signed with Louisville City FC in the USL Championship. That same year, he was loaned to North Carolina FC in USL League One, where he made an immediate impact, recording 21 appearances and scoring 4 goals. In 2022, Jay Tee moved to Columbus Crew 2, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s inaugural season in MLS Next Pro.

In 2023, Jay Tee embarked on a European journey, joining Swedish side Ljungskile SK. Over two seasons, he appeared in 42 matches, scoring 8 goals and solidifying his reputation as a versatile midfielder.

Internationally, Jay Tee represented Sierra Leone at both the U-23 and U-20 levels, showcasing his skills as a left-footed midfielder on the global stage. He now continues his career in Maine with the Hearts of Pine.

 

Ivorian star Wilfried Zaha set for Charlotte FC MLS debut
by FSL News

Ivorian star Wilfried Zaha set for Charlotte debut in friendly

Wilfried Zaha could make his appearance with new outfit Charlotte FC after joining on loan from Turkish champions Galatasaray.

Charlotte will face Nashville SC today in a friendly match as they prepare for the upcoming MLS season. Zaha may join the squad for his first appearance in new colours at the Oxbridge Academy.

Zaha will play for Charlotte until January 2026, with an option to extend the loan until June 2026. The firmer Crystal Palace attacker will occupy a Designated Player spot and international roster slot on the Club’s 2025 roster.

The Ivory Coast international played 10 seasons in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Cardiff City, where the forward scored a total of 68 goals in 305 appearances.

For the past six months, Zaha was on loan at Olympique Lyonnais in France, where he made six appearances but did not score or assist.

“Wilfried is a world-class player who has shown his skills as a top goal scorer and creator of chances. His performances in the Premier League and on the international stage speak for themselves, and we believe he can make an immediate impact in MLS,” said Zoran Krneta, the general manager of Charlotte.

“He adds versatility to our attack and brings that extra magic that can help us win more games. We are excited to welcome a player of Wilfried’s talent and experience to our team.”

Zaha changed his national team to Ivory Coast before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon. He debuted in a friendly against Sweden in January 2017, where he provided an assist. Since then, he has earned 33 caps, scoring four goals and providing six assists.

Sierra Leone defender Demba Kamara joins SP Tre Penne in San Marino
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone defender Demba Kamara joins SP Tre Penne in San Marino

Sierra Leone defender Damba Kamara has joined the San Marino club S.P. Tre Penne on a short-term deal, with an option for an additional year.

In August 2021, Kamara, 21, who previously joined Serie D side Rimini, made his international debut for Sierra Leone in a 1–0 win over Liberia in March 2022.

Tre Penne’s winter transfer activity continues flourishing, with sporting director Maurizio Di Giuli making another move to strengthen coach Nicola Berardi’s squad.

“The 2003 midfielder Demba Kamara is finalizing his transfer to the white and blue team, representing Città. Kamara has previously played for Rimini and Victor San Marino, and he is eager to compete in the top San Marino league,” the club noted on the website.

For Tre Penne, this signing adds a player with impressive physical qualities, enhancing the team’s competitiveness as they approach the second half of the season.

S.P. Tre Penne is a football club in San Marino, founded in 1956 and known as “Three Feathers.” The team competes in the Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio, wearing blue and white at home and red away.

On July 9, 2013, Tre Penne became the first Sammarinese team to win a match in a European competition, beating Shirak 1–0 in the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League qualifiers.


Kamara last played for Victor San Marino, a Sammarinese professional football club based in Acquaviva. The club competes in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football, since its promotion in 2023.

Sierra Leone's Moses Sesay pens first Pro contract at Southampton
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Moses Sesay pens first Southampton Pro contract

Sierra Leone native Moses Sesay has penned his first professional deal with Southampton, keeping him with the club until 2028.

The 18-year-old Sierra Leone native joined the Saints in 2023 after a stint at Chelsea. After exclusively playing for the Under-18s in his first season, he has moved up to the Under-21s, making his debut and scoring his first goal against West Brom in the Premier League Cup.

Upon signing his contract, Sesay expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m happy to take this next step, and I’m thankful to everyone who has helped me on this journey.”

Academy Director Andy Goldie praised Sesay’s progress, noting, “He initially joined as a winger but has shown versatility by performing well at left-back and various midfield positions, reflecting his character and development.”

Omar Marmoush proud as first Egyptian player to join Manchester City
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Omar Marmoush proud as first Egyptian player to join Manchester City

The 25-year-old striker has transferred from Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany and has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract. He is the third new player to join the team this week, after Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.

The Egyptian International will wear the No.7 shirt for Manchester City after completing his move from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Marmoush has been a standout player in the Bundesliga for the past two years and has also been important for the Egyptian national team. He helped Egypt reach the final of the 2021 African Cup of Nations.

“It’s a great honor to be the first Egyptian to play for Manchester City and to show what my country can achieve,” Marmoush told City’s Channel.

“Playing for a big club like this has always been a dream of mine. Now that I am the first Egyptian at Manchester City, I am very happy, and I hope to keep playing at this level.

“The Premier League is the biggest and most followed league in Egypt because of players like Mo Salah and others from Egypt. Most young players dream of being in this league, so I am excited to be here.”

Ivorian Maxwell Cornet trains with Genoa after loan move
by Football Sierra Leone

Ivorian Maxwell Cornet trains with Genoa after loan move

Ivorian international Maxwel Cornet has joined Italian club Genoa on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season from West Ham United. He has completed his first training session with the team at the Centro Sportivo Gianluca Signorini.

Cornet’s loan spell at Premier League side Southampton was terminated by mutual consent, allowing him to move to Serie A.

The 28-year-old player had only made four appearances for the Saints and will now look for more regular playing time under Genoa manager and former Arsenal and France midfielder Patrick Vieira.

Cornet signed with West Ham from Burnley in August 2022, where he scored one goal in 37 appearances over two seasons. He was also part of the squad that won the UEFA Europa Conference League in Prague in June 2023.

The Ivorian has completed his first training session with the team at the Centro Sportivo Gianluca Signorini.
The Ivorian has completed his first training session with the team at the Centro Sportivo Gianluca Signorini.
Juma Bah's excellent form continues as Valladolid beat Valencia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Controversy looming over Juma Bah’s Manchester City transfer

Real Valladolid are threatening legal action after Juma Bah did not turn up for training after paying to terminate his contract; a decision they believe was advised by his agent and Man City – after finalising a deal to join the club on a six-year contract. (Photo Credit Real Valladolid)

Reports from Spain say that City and Valladolid were in talks for a fee of about €8 million, while Fenerbahce and Inter both offered up to €12 million for him.

Bah joined Valladolid on loan from AIK Freetong in his home country of Sierra Leone, and Valladolid used a buy clause in his loan deal that cost €165,000. However, since he is still on a youth contract, City plans to accept a €6 million penalty to end that contract.

On Wednesday afternoon, Valladolid released a statement saying Bah did not show up for training. They also said that the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) informed them that Bah has paid the necessary amount to cancel his contract unilaterally.

Valladolid expressed their disappointment and anger, believing that City advised Bah and his agent to take this action.

Read the Real Valladolid statement on the present situation over Juma Bah.

Ademola Lookman shines in Atlanta Champions League triumph
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ademola Lookman shines in Atalanta Champions League triumph

Nigerian International and African Best Player Ademola Lookman came off the bench to shine for Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday night at the Gewiss Stadium.

Atalanta made it a 5-0 win over Sturm Graz and edged through to the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League in Bergamo. This loss concluded Sturm Graz’s stint in the competition because they were sent packing despite a game in hand.

Unfortunately for Sturm Graz, they hadn’t featured since the Austrian winter break had them out of the pitch for six weeks and almost capitalized on an early lead before Italy forward Matteo Retegui scored for Atalanta from a close-range shot after Davide Zappacosta’s cross to him.

Substitute Ademola Lookman quickly set up Charles De Ketelaere for a goal, but it was disallowed for offside after a VAR review. Lookman had two more chances saved by Sturm Graz goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. Mario Pasalic then scored from Juan Cuadrado’s cross to make it 2-0.

Atalanta continued to push and scored a third when De Ketelaere (3-0) scored after Sturm Graz could not clear a corner. Lookman missed a one-on-one chance, and substitute Marco Brescianini had a shot blocked. Zappacosta also had a goal disallowed for offside.

Lookman finally scored late in the game, heading in a cross from De Ketelaere. Brescianini added another goal soon after.

A win against Barcelona on Wednesday, January 29, could send Atalanta to the last 16 of the tournament.

Egypt's Mohamed Salah nets 50th European goal for Liverpool
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah nets 50th European goal for Liverpool

Liverpool right-winger Mo Salah recorded his 50-goal milestone in European club competitions when he converted a pass into the goal in a 2-1 win for the Merseyside team over Lille in the UEFA Champions League.

“I personally don’t dare speaking, but of course he’s special,” declared Arne Slot, the manager of Liverpool, regarding the Premier League star Salah’s performance on Tuesday.

Liverpool’s victory on Tuesday guaranteed their spot in the last 16 of this year’s Champions League, making them the first team to do so. This is a historic achievement for Arne Slot’s side, especially since it is the first year the Swiss model has been implemented.

Lille had come with their record-holding no defeat in 21 games at Anfield. In the start, they restrained Liverpool as best they could.

33 minutes played, Mo Salah put the ball past the Lille goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier, and gave Liverpool a lead with 1-0 after a corner and a pass from Curtis Jones. He acted so cleverly and capitalized on the gift. Still, Salah was frustrated at missing an easy chance and shooting wide from outside the right post.

In the 62nd-minute, Jonathan David scored the visitors equaliser before Harvey Elliott then regained the lead with a goal from a corner kick five minutes later. In the final, Liverpool celebrated a victory, highlighted by Mohamed Salah’s milestone accomplishment.

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

Six Days to the 35th edition AFCON 2025 draw in Morocco

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 Final Draw is set to happen in Rabat on January 27, 2025. This event will reveal the opponents for the 24 competing teams.

The draw kicks off at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT/20:00 Cairo time) with delegates from all 24 AFCON 2025 qualifiers in attendance.

Teams will get a chance to check out Morocco’s game locations, practice spots, and hotels during this gathering.

Organizers will split the 24 teams into six groups of four. The top two from each group, plus the four best third-place finishers, will advance to the Round of 16.

Morocco hosts the finals for the first time since 1988. This marks a big moment for Morocco, as it gears up to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

This marks the 35th time the AFCON has taken place, with its origins dating back to 1957. Among continental soccer tournaments, it ranks as the third oldest coming after those in South America (1916) and Asia (1956).

The 24 teams that will be in the draw for the 2025 finals are as follows, with their previous appearances and best finish included:

Algeria (21st appearance, champions in 1990, 2019)

Angola (10th appearance, quarter-finalists in 2008, 2010, 2023)

Benin (5th appearance, quarter-finalists in 2019)

Botswana (2nd appearance, group stages in 2012)

Burkina Faso (14th appearance, runners-up in 2013)

Cameroon (22nd appearance, champions in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017)

Comoros (2nd appearance, round of 16 in 2021)

Cote d’Ivoire (26th appearance, champions in 1992, 2015, 2023)

Democratic Republic of Congo (21st appearance, champions in 1968, 1974)

Egypt (27th appearance, champions in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010)

Equatorial Guinea (5th appearance, fourth place in 2015)

Gabon (9th appearance, quarter-finalists in 1996, 2012)

Mali (14th appearance, runners-up in 1972)

Morocco (20th appearances, champions in 1976)

Mozambique (6th appearance, group stages in 1986, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2023)

Nigeria (21st appearance, champions in 1980, 1994, 2013)

Senegal (18th appearance, champions in 2021)

South Africa (12th appearance, champions in 1996)

Sudan (10th appearance, champions in 1970)

Tanzania (4th appearance, group stage in 1980, 2019, 2023)

Tunisia (22nd appearance, champions in 2004)

Uganda (8th appearance, runners-up in 1978)

Zambia (19th appearance, champions in 2012)

Zimbabwe (6th appearance, group stage in 2004, 2006, 2017, 2019, 2021)