Category: Sport News

by @football_sierra

Sierra Leone’s Ismaël Kabia joins Scottish club St Mirren

The 20-year-old winger, a Sierra Leonean native, has joined Scottish side ST Mirren as their ninth signing of the summer, moving from the English Premier League champions Arsenal for the 2026/27 season.

An impressive 2024/25 campaign saw Ismeal make his first-team debut for us in our 5-1 win against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup third round at Emirates Stadium.

Ismeal signed a second professional contract with us in August 2025 and was loaned to Shrewsbury Town for the 2025/26 season, where he made 43 appearances and won the League Two Goal of the Month award for April with a stunning long-range shot against Fleetwood Town.

He first joined Arsenal’s senior squad in September 2024, making a first-team appearance during a 5-1 EFL Cup win over Bolton Wanderers. After a pre-season friendly against Real Betis, Ismeal chose to join Craig McLeish’s team despite interest from other clubs. He will be available for selection in the upcoming Premier Sports Cup match against Rangers.

Manager Craig McLeish expressed excitement about the signing, highlighting Ismeal’s skills as a fast, direct winger who excels in one-on-one situations and emphasising that he brings motivation and potential for development.

by @football_sierra

South Africa and Ghana keep World Cup qualifying hopes alive

South Africa secured a 2-1 win against Nigeria in a play-off match for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027, keeping their hopes alive. Additionally, Ghana emerged victorious over the Ivory Coast.

Nigeria’s women’s football team has failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time. They lost 2-1 to South Africa in a playoff at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Nigeria entered the tournament as the favourites but was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Cameroon after a loss to Malawi in the group stage.

South Africa’s goals from Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane sealed the victory, despite a late penalty from Christy Ucheibe for Nigeria.

This outcome is disappointing for Nigeria, which has participated in every Women’s World Cup since 1991, winning WAFCON ten times.

Asisat Oshoala, a key player, struggled to score and was substituted, leading to questions about her future in international play.

In the earlier match, Ghana came back to beat Ivory Coast 2-1. Ghana’s victory came against a backdrop of player pay disputes, but they secured their place in the next round of qualifiers alongside South Africa.

Under the tournament’s qualification format, the four losing quarter-finalists progress to an African play-off. The two winners of those play-off matches will then qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup intercontinental play-offs, where they will have another opportunity to secure places at Brazil 2027.

Star Sport Academy suffer opening defeat in the West Africa Champions Cup
by @football_sierra

Star Sport Academy suffer opening defeat in the West Africa Champions Cup

On Friday in Kankan, Guinea, the Star Sport Academy West Africa Champions Cup 2026 campaign got off to a rocky start as we faced a tough 4-0 defeat against Karfamoriah FC in our opening match at the Stade M’Balloue Mady.

Despite showing moments of promise, our team struggled to find their rhythm against a determined Karfamoriah side, who capitalised on the defensive weaknesses of Star Sport Academy.

Souleymane Diawara was the standout player for the hosts, scoring twice to firmly establish his team’s dominance.

Amadou Mansare and Mohamed Lamine Conde also chipped in with goals, leading Karfamoriah FC to a convincing victory and securing all three points.

Although the result was disappointing, Star Sport Academy has the chance to regroup, evaluate their performance, and come back stronger in the next match.

Coach Amidu Karim’s squad is eager to put this setback behind them and deliver a significantly better performance as they continue their journey in the Champions Cup on Sunday against AS Real Bamako of Mali. 

All these matches are part of the preparation for their maiden CAF Champions League debut, so they’ll have enough time to regroup. 

Star Sport Academy suffer opening defeat in the West Africa Champions Cup
Star Sport Academy suffer opening defeat in the West Africa Champions Cup
Cameroon stun hosts Morocco to reach the WAFCON final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cameroon stun hosts Morocco to reach the WAFCON final

Cameroon advanced to the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 by defeating Morocco 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in Rabat. The match ended without goals after 120 minutes, with Morocco missing a key penalty in extra time.

In the shootout, Cameroon scored three of four penalties through Marie Ngah, Rose Bella, and Myriam Nyadjou, while Morocco managed only one, converted by Hanane Aït El Haj. Cameroon’s keeper in the photo was outstanding, saving four penalties to win the Woman of the Match accolade.

Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq, and Sakina Ouzraoui all missed for Morocco, leading to a 3-1 win for Cameroon. This victory follows their earlier success over Nigeria in the quarter-finals.

The match started cautiously, with both teams focused on defence. Morocco increased their efforts to score in the second half but couldn’t break through Cameroon’s defence.

In extra time, Morocco had a chance to win when they were awarded a penalty, but Fatima Tagnaout missed her shot. The match then went to penalties. Cameroon showed better composure, sealing their victory and reaching the final for the fourth time.

For Morocco, this defeat ends their chance for a third straight final, while Cameroon is now one win away from becoming African champions.

Sierra Leone's Hindolo Mustapha joins Notts County on loan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Hindolo Mustapha joins Notts County on loan

Hindolo Mustapha has joined Notts County on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder, who is a Sierra Leone International, has come to Meadow Lane after ending a loan with Wigan Athletic.

Richard Montague, our Director of Football, said: “Hindolo was one of our top targets this summer, so we’re happy to have him with us. He’s powerful, skilled, and direct, and can score different types of goals. Hindolo needs a stable home to establish himself in the men’s game, and that’s what we’ll provide.”

Mustapha came up through the youth ranks at Palace and signed his first professional contract in 2024. He renewed his contract last summer. At 18, he was selected by Sierra Leone for the qualifying rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations and scored a memorable goal against Zambia.

Last season, Mustapha was on loan at Nürnberg II and West Bromwich Albion, and now he is ready for a new chapter in Nottingham.