Category: Sport News

Werder Bremen sign  Burkina Faso international defender Issa Kabore on loan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burkina Faso international defender Issa Kabore happy to join Werder Bremen

Burkina Faso international defender Issa Kabore was pleased after he joined German side Werder Bremen on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season. The 23-year-old previously played on loan at Benfica.

“I’m excited about my new challenge at Werder,” said Kabore. “I want to help the team build on a strong start this season and get to know the club and the city.”

Head coach Ole Werner is pleased with the signing. “Issa is a skilled player who is strong and fast. His arrival gives us more options in our play, and we believe he will fit well with our team.”

Kabore started his career at Rahimo FC in Burkina Faso, joined KV Mechelen in Belgium in 2019, and moved to Manchester City in 2021. He has had loan spells at Marseille, Luton Town, and Benfica. Kabore has over 40 caps for his national team, and he has played in Ligue 1, the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, and the Premier League.

“Issa is an exciting player with experience in various leagues,” said Peter Niemeyer, Werder’s head of professional football. “With Deman’s transfer and Agu’s injury, we are glad to sign Issa quickly.”

Kabore joined Man City in 2020 from Belgian side KV Mechelen and was sent back on loan to them for the same season.

Berkane through to CAF Confederation Cup knockout stage
by Football Sierra Leone

Berkane through to CAF Confederation Cup knockout stage

The CAF Confederation Cup Matchday 4 had exciting games over the weekend. RS Berkane became the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals as teams compete for spots in the knockout stages. With only two matches left, the competition is heating up.

  • Group A: Constantine Leads, Simba Close Behind

CS Constantine dominated with a 4-0 win over Angola’s Bravos do Maquis. Miloud Rebiai and Tosin Omoyele scored early goals, while Abdennour Belhocini and Dadi El Hocine Mouaki added two late goals. Simba SC also won, beating CS Sfaxien 1-0 with a goal from Jean Ahoua. Both teams now have nine points. Bravos are in third place with six points, while Sfaxien remains winless and out of contention.

  • Group B: Berkane Qualifies, Stellenbosch Revives Hopes

RS Berkane qualified for the knockout stages by beating Stade Malien 1-0, keeping their perfect record. Stellenbosch FC boosted their chances with a 2-0 win over CD Lunda Sul, thanks to two goals from Andre de Jong. Berkane leads Group B with 12 points, followed by Stellenbosch with six. Stade Malien has four points, and Lunda Sul has one point.

  • Group C: Close Competition

USM Alger held the top spot in their group after drawing 1-1 with ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan. USM Alger has eight points, while Mimosas and Jaraaf each have five points after Jaraaf’s 1-0 win over Orapa United, who sit at the bottom with two points.

  • Group D: Enyimba Excels, Zamalek Struggles

Enyimba amazed fans in Aba with a strong 4-1 victory over Mozambique’s Black Bulls, led by two goals from Joseph Atule. On the other hand, Zamalek could only manage a goalless draw against Al Masry. Zamalek leads with eight points, Al Masry has five points, and both Enyimba and Black Bulls have four points.

Matchday 4 Results

Group A

  • Constantine 4-0 Bravos do Maquis
  • Simba 1-0 CS Sfaxien

Group B

  • Berkane 1-0 Stade Malien
  • Stellenbosch 2-0 CD Lunda Sul

Group C

  • USM Alger 1-1 ASEC Mimosas
  • Jaraaf 1-0 Orapa United

Group D

  • Enyimba 4-1 Black Bulls
  • Zamalek 0-0 Al Masry

Group Standings

Group A:

  1. Constantine – 9 pts
  2. Simba – 9 pts
  3. Bravos do Maquis – 6 pts
  4. CS Sfaxien – 0 pts

Group B:

  1. Berkane – 12 pts
  2. Stellenbosch – 6 pts
  3. Stade Malien – 4 pts
  4. CD Lunda Sul – 1 pt

Group C:

  1. USM Alger – 8 pts
  2. ASEC Mimosas – 5 pts
  3. Jaraaf – 5 pts
  4. Orapa United – 2 pts

Group D:

  1. Zamalek – 8 pts
  2. Al Masry – 5 pts
  3. Enyimba – 4 pts
  4. Black Bulls – 4 pts
CAF Champions League, Al Hilal through to the knockout stage
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF Champions League, Al Hilal through to the knockout stage

Al Hilal of Sudan became the first team to advance to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League knockout stage. Here are some round-up of weekend group matches.

  • Group A

Al-Hilal Omdurman became the first team to reach the knockout stage. They earned this by drawing 1-1 with MC Alger. Young Africans boosted their chances for the quarter-finals with a 3-1 comeback win over TP Mazembe in Dar es Salaam.

Although Mazembe initially took the lead with a penalty from Alioune Faty, Clement Mzize scored two goals, and Aziz Ki added another in the second half. This win was crucial for the Tanzanian champions.

Al-Hilal now has 10 points, five points ahead of second-placed MC Alger. They are guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015.

  • Group B  

FAR Rabat secured first place in Group B with a 2-0 victory over Maniema Union. Khalid Aït Ouarkhane and El Amine Zouhzouh scored the goals. In Casablanca, Raja won 1-0 against Mamelodi Sundowns in a match that had three red cards. Benaissa Benamar scored the winning goal for Raja. FAR Rabat leads the group with eight points, followed by Sundowns with five, Raja with four, and Maniema Union with three.

  • Group C

Orlando Pirates took the top spot in Group C with a strong 3-0 win against Stade d’Abidjan. Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Deon Hotto scored the goals. CR Belouizdad ended Al Ahly’s unbeaten run with a late 1-0 victory in Algiers. This win moved them to second place with six points, just two points behind the Pirates.

  • Group D

In Photo, Pyramids won 2-1 against Esperance in Cairo, tying them at the top of the group. Meanwhile, Sagrada Esperança beat Djoliba 1-0, keeping their chances for the knockout stage alive. Both Pyramids and Esperance have seven points, while Sagrada is close behind with five points.

Clinical Orlando Pirates ease past Stade d’Abidjan to top Group C
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Clinical Orlando Pirates ease past Stade d’Abidjan to top Group C

Orlando Pirates defeated Stade d’Abidjan 3-0 at Orlando Stadium, moving to the top of Group C in the CAF Champions League at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The first goal came in the 22nd minute when Mohau Nkota set up Relebohile Mofokeng for an easy score. Just five minutes into the second half, Maswanganyi doubled the lead.

Deon Hotto added a third goal in the final minutes. Despite some attempts from Stade d’Abidjan, the Pirates maintained control and secured a vital win, putting them one point ahead of Al Ahly and two points behind CR Belouizdad, with two games left.

Elsewhere, Raja Casablanca won 1-0 against Mamelodi Sundowns in a tough match that saw three players receive red cards. This victory keeps Raja’s hopes alive for qualifying in Group B of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

The match took place at Stade Larbi Zaouli. Benaissa Benamar scored the only goal in the 45th minute after a corner kick from Youssef Belammari.

Even after losing Marouane Zila to a second yellow card in the 80th minute, Raja’s defence remained strong despite being down to 10 players.

Nac Breda, NEC Nijmegen present Loan Opportunities for PSV Talent Isaac Babadi
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nac Breda, NEC Nijmegen present Loan Opportunities for PSV Talent Isaac Babadi

Dutch top-tier side PSV Eindhoven reportedly prepared to permit 19-year-old midfielder Isaac Babadi to leave on loan this month.

Recent reports from Eindhovens Dagblad indicate that five Eredivisie clubs have expressed interest in acquiring Babadi’s services.

The interested clubs include NAC Breda, Heerenveen, NEC Nijmegen, Heracles Almelo, and PEC Zwolle, all of which are eager to secure the young talent.

Isaac Babadi has demonstrated considerable promise, particularly at the beginning of last season, where his outstanding performances at the youth level earned him a regular place on the first team. However, he has recently seen reduced playing time and has primarily participated in matches for Jong PSV.

Both the player and the club have mutually agreed that a loan arrangement is the most beneficial path forward. PSV Eindhoven does not intend to pursue a permanent transfer or include an option to purchase in any loan agreement.

The club remains committed to Babadi’s development, considering him a valuable asset for the future, and believes that regular match experience will significantly contribute to his growth. Given the interest from multiple clubs, it is anticipated that he will find a new destination by the end of the month.

The Sierra Leone native agreed on a four-and-a-half-year contract in March 2024 after impressing the club’s management.

Striker Abu Kamara helps Hull City earn a point in six-goal thriller
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Abu Kamara helps Hull City earn a point in six-goal thriller

Abu Kamara scored twice as struggling Hull City came from behind to earn a point at home against Championship leaders Leeds United in a thrilling six-goal match.

Kamara opened the scoring early, but Ao Tanaka equalized for Leeds right after halftime. Dan James then put Leeds ahead in the 62nd minute, followed by Joel Piroe capitalizing on a mistake by Hull goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, making it 3-1.

Hull kept fighting, and Joao Pedro gave them hope with a goal nine minutes from the end. Kamara completed the comeback in the 89th minute, firing home after a corner was cleared to the edge of the area.

This marked Kamara’s third goal of the season since joining Hull City from Norwich City, showcasing his impact in a game that many did not expect Hull to contest given Leeds’ strong form at the top of the table.

Hull City head coach Ruben Selles told BBC Radio Humberside: “It’s a lesson for all of us for team building and the dressing room over the last 48 hours.

“Abu’s an honest kid and we can all have bad days, and we needed to protect him and we did that and it paid off.

“Sometimes you can misunderstand people – it’s important for the club and the dressing room to be able to support him and show we are strong together.

“We’ve shown we can compete against anyone today.”

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds: “Disappointed is probably the right word. In the first half, we were not sharp enough in both boxes and if we are 2% less on it then it’s difficult to win points.

“It was a good reaction in the second half. We were in control at 3-1 and could have scored a fourth, fifth or sixth goal, especially with Daniel James having a one-on-one chance.

“It’s then difficult to accept how we conceded two late goals without them really having a chance in the half, but somehow they were able to score.

“To drive away with one point is heartbreaking and disappointing.”

Mohamed Sankoh returns to join Stuttgart's U21 side in Spain
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mohamed Sankoh returns to join Stuttgart’s U21 side in Spain

Sierra Leone native Mohamed Sankoh has returned to parent club VfB Stuttgart and will join the German side U21 training camp in Spain. The striker joined the Italian Serie B side in Cosenza Calcio in August 2024, where he made nine appearances for the rossoblù.

Before Cosenzo’s move, Sankoh spent the last two seasons on loan in the Netherlands, first with Vitesse Arnhem and then with Heracles Almelo.

“The 21-year-old striker, who joined Serie B club Cosenza Calcio on loan at the end of August 2024, will travel to Spain with VfB’s U21 team for a training camp,” the German side confirmed.

Sports director Christian Gentner: “It is important for young players like ‘Mo’ to play regularly, so the early return is the right decision. ‘Mo’ will travel to the training camp with our U21 team to prepare for the second half of the season in the 3rd division.”

In his previous season, Sankoh scored six goals in 28 appearances for Heracles. He played 81 minutes in VfB U21’s opening third-division match against F.C. Hansa Rostock, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Plymouth Argyle sign Ghanaian Michael Baidoo from Elfsborg
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Plymouth Argyle sign Ghanaian Michael Baidoo from Elfsborg

English Championship side Plymouth Argyle has officially announced the signing of Ghanaian midfielder Michael Baidoo permanently.

“Baidoo has signed a three-year contract that will extend through the summer of 2028. The 25-year-old joins Argyle from IF Elfsborg, where he has been a key contributor since 2022,” Argyle noted

Michael will wear the number 30 and, subject to EFL approval and International clearance, will first be available for selection for our trip to Brentford on 11 January.

Before his tenure in Sweden, Baidoo played for Sandnes Ulf in Norway and FC Midtjylland in Denmark, with loan spells at Jerv and Fredericia.

Jimmy Dickinson, Argyle’s head of Recruitment, expressed enthusiasm about signing a player he has been monitoring for over a year. He stated, “Michael is someone we have been aware of for a long time, and I am delighted that we have finally been able to bring him to Argyle.

“He comes to the club with an impressive background, having excelled in Elfsborg’s Europa League campaign this season and recently making his international debut for Ghana.

“His ability to play in multiple positions will enhance the squad’s versatility. Most notably, he chose to join Argyle over other prominent clubs across Europe.

“He is eager to play in England and demonstrate his capabilities, and we believe he will significantly contribute to English football.

“I extend my gratitude to Simon and the board for their support in facilitating this record deal and look forward to seeing him on the pitch soon.”

Baidoo primarily occupies a midfield role but is also adept at playing as a striker. He has made notable contributions at Elfsborg, scoring five goals and providing three assists in the Europa League.

In the Allsvenskan, he has tallied 10 goals and four assists this season. His performance includes a standout goal in Elfsborg’s 1-0 victory against AS Roma in October, culminating in a total of 76 appearances for the club over two seasons.

Belouizdad's Noufel Khacef goal ends Al Ahly unbeaten record
by FSL News

Belouizdad’s Noufel Khacef goal ends Al Ahly’s unbeaten record

Algerian club Belouizdad achieved a notable 1-0 victory over Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly in a highly competitive CAF Champions League match held at the 5 July Stadium in Algiers on Friday night.

The decisive goal came from Noufel Khacef in the first minute of stoppage time, marking the end of Al Ahly’s impressive 27-match unbeaten streak in the competition.

This victory represents Belouizdad’s first win against the Egyptian champions in their six encounters, significantly enhancing their prospects in the group stage.

The match commenced with both teams demonstrating caution as they sought to establish control over the midfield. Al Ahly had an early opportunity when Yahya Attiat Allah’s free-kick narrowly missed its target.

Belouizdad believed they had taken the lead in the 14th minute, with Khanyisa Mayo finding the net, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

In the second half, the hosts elevated their level of play, creating multiple scoring opportunities that tested Al Ahly’s defensive resolve. The introduction of substitute Islam Slimani infused new energy into Belouizdad’s performance, culminating in a well-deserved goal in the waning moments of the match.

Khacef capitalized on a rebound following an initial save by Mohamed El-Shennawy, eliciting an enthusiastic response from the home crowd.

Despite a late effort by Al Ahly, which included the introduction of Percy Tau and Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’, they were unable to secure an equalizer.

Following this defeat, Al Ahly remains at the top of Group C with seven points, while Belouizdad ascends to second place with six points, surpassing Orlando Pirates, who have a game in hand.

This outcome not only concludes Al Ahly’s unbeaten streak but also sets the stage for an exciting conclusion to the group stage, with all teams still vying for qualification.

Egypt's Mohamed Salah cast doubt on his Liverpool future
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah cast doubt on his Liverpool’s future

Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian international and Liverpool forward, has raised doubts about his future in an interview with Sky Sports.

Although he is determined to win the Premier League title, Liverpool and their forward are still far from agreeing on terms for a new deal at Anfield.

Salah stated, “I really want to win the Premier League with Liverpool. It’s my last year at the club, so I want to do something special for the city.”

Salah is in great form. Liverpool is currently six points ahead at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand. They will face Manchester United in a Super Sunday match, live on Sky Sports at 4:30 PM.

At 32 years old, Salah leads the Premier League this season with 17 goals and 13 assists. However, his future is uncertain as he enters the final six months of his contract.