Category: Football Africa

Sierra Leone CAF Confederation Cup representative for the 2023/24 competition, FC Kallon, departed Liberia for Ghana to face Dreams FC in the Second round first leg on Friday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

FC Kallon set for Dreams Confederation Cup first leg

Sierra Leone CAF Confederation Cup representative for the 2023/24 competition, FC Kallon, departed Liberia for Ghana to face Dreams FC in the Second round first leg on Friday.

The Accra Sports Stadium is set to host the contest between the two West African clubs.

Having reached the competition’s second round without kicking a ball following the withdrawal of AS Douanes, Kallon will look to surpass last season when they were eliminated in this stage by FC Future of Egypt.

The club’s owner and head coach, Mohamed Kallon, confirmed their departure on Facebook; ” Kallon departs Liberia Airport for Ghana to engage Dreams FC on Friday, 15th September, 2023, in the CAF Confederations Cup Second Preliminary Round, first leg Qualifier fixture in Accra, for a spot into the group stage.”

The former Inter Milan and Monaco was the coach of his club (FC Kallon) in the CAF inter-clubs Confederation Cup last September when they progressed to the second qualifying stage of the competition. 

Under his guidance, they eliminated Buffles de Borgou of Benin 4-0 on aggregate – but they suffered a heavy defeat to the Egyptian side FC Future over the two legs in the second preliminary round.

Dreams reached this stage of the competition after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Milo Fc of Guinea.

The second preliminary round of return fixtures is on the 19 October 2023, expected to be played in Liberia.

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CAF unveils 2023 African Cup of Nations logo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

No debutants as Africa’s giants target Cote d’Ivoire glory

The line-up for next year’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire is complete, with no new teams set to make their debut, CAF reports.

The 24 qualified sides feature continental heavyweights like holders Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and DR Congo add further star quality, alongside South Africa, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Less fancied sides such as Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde and Gambia will look to spring a surprise.

Egypt extended their record number of AFCON appearances to 26 by qualifying again.

The Gambia remain the tournament’s least experienced side following their maiden outing last year.

Mozambique return after a six-edition absence, while Zambia are back following a run of three straight misses.

But there are no newcomers to freshen up the field at the first finals in the Cote d’Ivoire since 1984.

With a host of giants involved, competition for the title promises to be fierce when the tournament starts on 13 January.

Holders Senegal and regional powers Algeria and Nigeria are likely to be among the favourites.

But the expanded 24-team format leaves the door open for a shock winner.

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TotalEnergies AFCON 2023 24-team line-up complete
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Stage set for Cote d’Ivoire Cup of Nations 2023 final draw

All twenty-four nations set to know their group opponents on October 12 after the final draw in the Ivorian Capital of Abidjan.

Continental goliaths like Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and Algeria are among the big guns waiting to know their fate.

The gigantic football events in the continent will kick off in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on 13 January 2024. CAF noted that the official draw will be held in Abidjan on 12 October 2023.

After the Indomitable Lions picked up their tickets to make it a 19th straight finals by thrashing Burundi 3-0 in Garoua to top Group C on Tuesday, the Confederation of African Football has announced the date for the official draw.

Next year’s (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire will be the 34th edition of the biennial African Association Football Tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football.

It will be hosted by Ivory Coast for the second time, having first hosted it in 1984. Senegal are the defending champions after beating Egypt in a penalty shootout last year.

Fifty-two (52) nations battle in the qualification phase, but only 24 will compete in the finals.

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No debutants as Africa's giants target Cote d'Ivoire glory
Isaac Babadi nets first Champions League goal for PSV
by FSL News

Isaac Babadi nets first Champions League goal for PSV

Sierra Leone native Isaac Babadi scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in PSV’s 4-1 win over Sturm Graz in their Third qualifying round, 1st leg on Tuesday.

The win means PSV Eindhoven is close to reaching the Champions League play-off round after a huge first-leg margin. They could face either or Servette. 

In front of the home fans at the PSV Stadion-Eindhoven, they rushed into a three-goal lead with goals from 18-year-old talent Isaac Babadi, Luuk De Jong brace in the 4th, 22nd and 32nd minutes, respectively.

The visitors pulled one back five minutes before the breakthrough of Jon Stankovic, but PSV retired their three-goal cushion in the 73rd minute through I. Sangaré. 

PSV will travel to SK Sturm Graz for next week’s r third qualifying round, 2nd leg at the Graz Liebenau-Graz Stadium, next week Tuesday. 

PSV EINDHOVEN – UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – SK STURM GRAZ – LUUK DE JONG – NOA LANG

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Attacker Issa Kallon nets brace for Shanghai Port
by FSL News

Sierra Leone’s Issa Kallon nets brace for Shanghai Port

Sierra Leone International Issa Kallon scored a brace for Shanghái Port as they thrashed Qingdao Hainiu 5-0 on Tuesday in the Chinese Super League.

The winger recorded his fifth of the season in the 71st and 91st minute, as Shanghai Port delivered a stunning during the 2023 Chinese Super League (CSL) on Tuesday.

Qingdao’s Ma Xingyu scored an own goal in the 23rd minute, putting his team 1-0 down to Shanghai.

Shanghai’s momentum continued in the second half – in the 66th minute, Wu Lei found double their lead. Five minutes later, Issa Kallon slotted the ball into the net.

Towards the end of the match, Wu and Kallon both scored again, helping Shanghai make a clean sweep

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and Players Abroad. The writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net.

Mogbwemo Queens suffer Champions League opening defeat
by FSL News

Mogbwemo Queens suffer Champions League opening defeat 

Sierra Leone’s Mogbwemo Queen suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in their CAF Women’s Champions League opener to Senegal’s AS Dakar Sacré Coeur on Monday, August 7, in the Liberia capital.

Coumba Sylla Mbodji’s late goal sealed a last-gasp victory for AS Dakar Sacré Coure against debutants Mogbwemo Queens.

The Union of West African Federations UFOA zone A tournament kickoff on Monday, August 7, 2023, in Monrovia.

In the opening match, in front of her audience, the Liberian champions Determine Girls fell heavily 3-0 to AS Made of Mali.

In the second tie of the day, AS Sacré-Coeur de Dakar got the better of Sierra Leoneans Mogbewmo Queens by a single goal from Coumba Sylla Mbodji.

Coumba Sylla Mbodji from Sacré Cœur de Dakar and Oumou Koné from AS Mande was elected Woman of the Match “Women Of the Match”.

Pending their second outings, AS Maden and AS Sacré-Coeur de Dakar have 3 points each.

As for Mogbewmo Queens and Determine Girls, they respectively occupy 3rd and 4th place with 0 points on the clock.

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Abu Kamara was pleased after Portsmouth's debut
by FSL News

Abu Kamara was pleased after Portsmouth’s debut

Abu Kamara, 19, was one of the four debutants for Portsmouth Football Club in their 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers in the English League One opener on Saturday. 

The on-loan Norwich youngster was a threat in the last 25 minutes when he was subbed on in the 65th minute.

Kamara, on his official Instagram page, to express himself. 

“Happy to make my Pompey debut! Thanks to the fans for a warm welcome, Onto the next.” 

The attacker, who signed on a season-long loan deal from Norwich, was named in John Mousinho’s first-team squad but started on the bench.

Kusini Yengi subbed on to score a dramatic last-gasp equaliser for Pompey against Bristol Rovers.

Luke Thomas netted midway through the first half for the Gas, and that looked to be enough to earn them a first win at Fratton Park since 1975.

A vital goal from debutant Yengi after he converted a Joe Rafferty cross at the death to ensure the Blues earned an opening day point.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and Players Abroad. The writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net.

Mogbwemo Queens set for Women's Champions League debut campaign
by FSL News

Mogbwemo Queens set for Women’s Champions League debut campaign

Sierra Leone’s Mogbwemo Queens fully charged to start their CAF Women’s Champions League campaign against Senegal’s AS Dakar Sacré Coeur on Monday, August 7, in the Liberia capital.

The Sierra Leone champions have announced their 22 women’s squad as they set to face Senegal’s AS Dakar Sacré Coeur.

After they won the maiden women’s title in Sierra Leone, they’re raring to show themselves in the continental stage competition against AS Dakar Sacré Coeur, AS Mande and Liberia’s Determine Girls in the qualifying race.

Having won seventeen top-tier matches, four draws, and one defeat as they scored fifty goals, without a doubt, the technical team is confident they can compete against the best in the region.

They also produce the best defensive record in the league conceding only fourteen, finishing six points above second position Kahunla Queens – eight points above third-placed Sierra Leone Police FC.

 

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Southern Arena, Southern Province, Bo City’s newest venue, will host its first match on May 21 has been announced.
by FSL News

CAF green light Southern Arena to host Bo Rangers, LISCR tie

The Confederation of African Football has temporally approved the Southern Arena in Bo City, Sierra Leone, to host Bo Rangers Champions League first league preliminary this month.

Sierra Leone Champions will kick off their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League campaign against Neighbours Liberian side LISCR FC in the first round of preliminary.

The Southern Province outfit will host the first leg on the 19th of August before they travel to the Liberian capital for the second leg to a place in the next round.

Bo Rangers was eliminated by Algerian giants CR Belouizdad in their maiden continental appearance 3-0 on aggregate last September following a goalless first-leg encounter in the Liberian capital.

Having engraved their name in the Sierra Leone top-flight history books after a back-to-back title, they will be hopeful to relive that moment this time on the continental stage.

Egypt’s Al Ahly are the current holders of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after their fiercely contested victory over Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone Premier League reigning Champions Bo Rangers will feature in the second edition of the West Africa Champions Cup.

They have announced a 30-man squad for the competition to kickoff from 07 to 13 August 2023 at the Sports Center in Yorokoguia Dubréka in Guinea as part of their preparation for the CAF Champions League.

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