Category: Football Africa

Gebremedhin Haile names 30-man squad for Sierra Leone & Burkina Faso
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Gebremedhin Haile names 30-man squad for Sierra Leone & Burkina Faso

Newly appointed Ethiopia head coach Gebremedhin Haile has named a 30-man squad as he starts his preparation for their Opening World Cup Qualifiers this month.

The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) announced the appointment of Gebremedhin on a 250,000 birr a month (net) contract during a joint press briefing on Friday.

Gebremedhin’s first task is against Sierra Leone before taking on Burkina Faso on the 15 and 21st at the Al Abdi stadium, respectively.

The new boss has previously spent a year as the Walias coach in 2016. He is also the head coach for the Ethiopian Premier League side Medhin FC.

Media reports in Ethiopia have confirmed that he will perform his Club duties alongside his new role until the end of the current Premier League season.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net, African News. 

Newly appointed Ethiopia head coach Gebremedhin Haile has named a 30-man squad to start the 2026 World Cup qualifying preparations.
Newly appointed Ethiopia head coach Gebremedhin Haile has named a 30-man squad to start the 2026 World Cup qualifying preparations.
Amara Nallo features for Liverpool U21 in a draw with Benfica in the International Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amara Nallo features in Liverpool’s International Cup draw with Benfica

Liverpool U21s played to a 1-1 with Benfica in the Premier League International Cup group stage. 

A dazzling 30-yarder from Filipe Cruz as the visitors opened the scoring to cap a period of Benfica dominance during the first half, but the Reds swiftly levelled through a clinical James McConnell header.

A Liverpool clearance came out to Cruz, and from fully 30 yards, he lashed an outstanding strike that dipped into the right corner for 1-0.

Amara Nallo, 16, has been a pivotal central defender for Barry Lewtas’s Liverpool U21 young team since he joined from West Ham. 

The young Reds return to Premier League 2 action against Nallo’s former team, West Ham, on Saturday.

Amara Nallo Liverpool U21 – Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, U21 News and Players Abroad. 

Sundowns and Wydad register slender wins in AFL semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sundowns & Wydad register slender wins in AFL semis

Mamelodi Sundowns and Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca managed a vital 1-0 home win over Egyptian giant Al Ahly and Tunisian side Esperance in the first leg of their African Football League semi-finals.

Thapelo Maseko sealed victory with his second-half goal for the South Africans at Loftus Versfeld Stadium as Hicham Bousfiane gave Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca a goal advantage over their North African counterparts on Sunday.

On Wednesday, four-time African champions Esperance will still fancy their chances of overcoming their visitors on home soil as African giant Al Ahly plans a pathway to the next stage against Sundowns at their Cairo fortress.

Both return leg matches are expected to be fireworks in Cairo and Tunisia, respectively. 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net. African Football League. 

Sierra Leone line-up friendlies for World Cup qualifiers
by David Lebbie

Sierra Leone up two places in latest Fifa ranking

The Sierra Leone national team have moved up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking announced on Thursday.

The Leone Stars had a successful trip in Morocco during the Fifa window, having played to a 1-1 draw against Benin on October 14th before defeating Somalia 2-0 in a recent training camp in Morocco three days later.

Coach Amidu Karim’s side will start their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Ethiopia at the Mohamed V Sports Complex in Casablanca on 15th November before hosting the Pharoah of Egypt in the Liberian Capital on 19 November 2023.

In Africa, Sierra Leone ranked 32nd best side as Morocco remains Africa’s number one nation, as well as maintaining 13th in the world ranking.

Senegal is second in Africa and occupies the 20th place in the world. Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Ivory Coast and Burkina-Faso are the top ten teams.

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Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking
Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking
Global top 10 - Argentina (1st) maintain a healthy lead (8.18 points) over their closest challengers, France
Global top 10 - Argentina (1st) maintain a healthy lead (8.18 points) over their closest challengers, France
Al Ahly beat Simba to set Sundowns African Football League date
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly eliminate Simba to set Sundowns African Football League date

On Tuesday, Al Ahly eliminated Tanzania Simba to set a date with South African Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals of the African Champions League.

After a 2-2 draw in Tanzania, the Egyptian giants emerged victorious on an away goal rule as they booked their place in the inaugural African Football League (AFL) semifinals. The first leg match had ended 1-1 at Cairo International.

Sundowns of South Africa, on the other hand, confirmed their semifinal spot with a goalless draw after they played most of the tie with a man down against th Petro Atletico on Tuesday.

They won the first leg 2-0 away and will play Egyptian side Al-Ahly in Sunday’s first-leg semis match. 

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In Uyo, Nigeria, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco secured narrow victory over their rival in the first leg.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

TP Mazembe, Wydad register AFL quarterfinal first leg wins

TP Mazembe of DR Congo and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco registered wins over their rivals in the first leg of the African Football League quarter-finals on Sunday.

Cheick Oumar Fofana’s first-leg goal was enough as TP Mazembe registered a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tunisian side Esperance.

Fofana. 19, 11th-minute head put Mazembe in front at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania to give the DR Congo club a slender advantage.

Mazembe gave a good account of themselves as they controlled the early exchanges before Fofana connected with Phillipe Kinzumbi’s pinpoint delivery to score what proved the winner.

Despite all efforts from the Tunisian side, Mazembe held on to secure a vital away goal and advantage ahead of the second leg in Tunisia this Wednesday.

In Uyo Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco secured a narrow victory over their Nigerian counterpart in the first leg.

The Moroccan side defeated Enyimba 1-0. The match-winning goal was scored by Wydad’s skipper Yahya Jabrane in the 39th minute from the penalty spot at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

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Coach Amidu Karim is pleased with Leone Stars' friendly results
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Amidu Karim reflects on first two games in charge

Amidu Karim says he was pleased with his opening two matches as head coach in charge of Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars for friendly games in Morocco.

On Tuesday, his preparation continued following a 2-0 win over Somalia in a tier-two friendly in Casablanca, Morocco. His first task was a 1-1 draw with Benin.

Leone Stars secured a pass mark unbeaten in their Morocco camp, a start to life the coach was pleased about. 

Under Karim’s guidance, Odense Boldklub striker Mohamed Buya Turay scored his first three International goals for Sierra Leone.

“Generally, the experience was a unique one, as a technical team, we are pleased with the outcome of both matches. I am pleased also because it is my first time as head coach – hence, starting well in charge was precisely the target.”

“In the competition proper, two games and four points will be immense for us. However, this is just a start – we remain focused and working on the areas to strengthen ahead of difficult matches in November. 

I was a bit disappointed not to win against Benin as we came very close. I must commend the players for their commitment as well. In Football, it’s not easy to get 100 per cent, but they’ve shown me a lot. We still have to make decisions for the success of Sierra Leone.”

The World Cup 2026 qualifiers will see Sierra Leone battle Ethiopia and Egypt in Group A doubleheader in November – these games will be the ultimate test in Karim’s reign. 

Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, powerhouse Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau and Djibouti all makeup Group A in the race to the 2026 World Cup.

The continental journey to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023. 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net. National News.

Sierra Leone ease past Somalia Blue Stars in Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone ease past Somalia in Morocco

On Tuesday, Sierra Leone continued their World Cup preparation with a pass mark after securing a 2-0 win over Somalia in a tier-two friendly in Casablanca, Morocco.

Cheltenham defender Curtis Davies, 38, and HSV Hoek center-back Augustine Loof, 27, both made their debut for Sierra Leone in the win as they played the full throttle of the contest.

Having secured a 1-1 draw against Benin in coach Amidu Karims’s first outing with the Leone Stars on Saturday, striker Mohamed Buya Turay opened the scoring for Sierra Leone from the spot.

Coach Karim’s side was awarded a penalty after the Somalia keeper Bilaal Njie brought down the Odense Boldklub striker in the box in the 24th minute.

Turay comfortably converted the spot kick for his second Leone Stars goal in Morocco before completing his brace after a scintillating pass from the right wing in the 58th minute.

Tuesday’s win was the first for the new Leone Stars technical as they continue preparation for World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Somalia were not a threat to Sierra Leone for most of the game. However, they’ll face a much tougher test against Ethiopia and Egypt in the November World Cup doubleheader.

Sierra Leone in Group A against Ethiopia, powerhouse Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau and Djibouti are the others in the race to the 2026 World Cup.

The continental journey to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023. 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net. National News.

Sierra Leone ease past Somalia Blue Stars in Morocco.
Sierra Leone ease past Somalia Blue Stars in Morocco.
Sierra Leone had a successful camp in the International window in Morocco
Sierra Leone had a successful camp in the International window in Morocco
2023 Cup of Nations final draw produced intriguing contest
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

2023 Cup of Nations final draw produced intriguing contest

The groups for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023, were confirmed on Thursday in Abidjan, with some intriguing contests awaiting exciting fans.

Brand-new Parc Des Expositions venue in Abidjan hosted the event on Wednesday with hosts Ivory Coast among 24 nations – including Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Cameroon, Algeria, South Africa and holders Senegal – who have qualified.

Hosts Cote d’Ivoire to face regional rivals Nigeria as defending champions Senegal drew African giant Cameroon. Record winners Egypt renewed hostilities with Ghana. 

“It’s a really difficult group,” Senegal’s Mane said at the end of the presentation.

“Cameroon is going to be really tough but we will give our best to go through in the first round.”

Africa’s World Cup semi-finalists and 2025 hosts Morocco will face DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania.

The continent’s showpiece event is set to run from 13 January to 11 February 2023.

Despite now being played in 2024, it has kept 2023 as part of its official title. The Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan will host the final on 11 February.

Groups:

Group A: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau

Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde Islands, Mozambique

Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia

Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola

Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia

Group F: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania

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Curtis Davies first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Work underway for Amidu Karim with International friendlies

Images of Sierra Leone as they continue groundwork ahead of friendlies against Benin and Somalia as part of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Sierra Leone to face Benin on Saturday before tackling Somalia on Tuesday in Casablanca, Morocco.

Head Coach Amidu Karim has described his first training as “vibrant, exciting, reassuring and most importantly full-blown”. It gives the team a clear and positive vision of what lies ahead.

Israeli-based defender Abdulai Jajue Kabia is the only absentee from the squad named by coach Karim due to the availability of flights from his location.

The Leone Stars journey to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023.

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Head Coach Amidu Karim focus on duty in Casablanca
Head Coach Amidu Karim focus on duty in Casablanca
Curtis Davies's first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco along side Queens Park Rangers Osman Kakay
Curtis Davies's first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco along side Queens Park Rangers Osman Kakay
First-time call-up for former Dutch U20 defender now playing for HSV Hoek in the Netherlands Derde Divisie, the fourth tier of Dutch football
First-time call-up for former Dutch U20 defender now playing for HSV Hoek in the Netherlands Derde Divisie, the fourth tier of Dutch football
Sullay Kaikai from English League One side Cambridge United working hard in this session
Sullay Kaikai from English League One side Cambridge United working hard in this session
Alpha Bedor Conteh from Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the Bulgarian efbet Liga works on his pace
Alpha Bedor Conteh from Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the Bulgarian efbet Liga works on his pace
Attackers: Amadou Bakayoko and Mohamed Buya Turay go up against each other in training
Attackers: Amadou Bakayoko and Mohamed Buya Turay go up against each other in training