Category: Players Abroad News

Sierra Leone fasting growing digital football website is passionately on all topics of National and International news, identifying our soccer stars.

Midfielder Ibrahim Turay pens deal with Iceland top-tier side Stjarnan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Ibrahim Turay pens deal with Iceland top-tier side Stjarnan

Sierra Leone duo Bo Rangers midfielder Ibrahim Turay and Alpha Conteh have joined Iceland’s top-tier side Stjarnan on a two-year deals. 

Rangers have expressed gratitude for Turay’s dedication and professionalism, stating he was a key figure in their success. They wish him success in his new chapter.

Ibrahim is 24 years old and joins us from Bo Rangers FC, one of the leading teams in Sierra Leone. He is a powerful midfielder who has played for the Sierra Leone national team and scored a goal in the World Cup qualifiers.

With a fighting spirit, power and good technique, Ibrahim is a player who will strengthen our midfield and give the team increased width and stability,” the club noted on Facebook.

Another Sierra Leone International, Alpha Conteh, has also penned a deal with the Garðabær-based outfit on similar terms of a two-half-year contract.

The club wrote, “Alpha is a 24-year-old winger who comes to us from Neftçi PFK in Azerbaijan, where he played in the Premier League. He has also played in Bulgaria with Lokomotiv Plovdiv and in Israel, as well as having games for the Sierra Leone national team.
 
Alpha is fast, powerful and not afraid to attack defenders – qualities that will undoubtedly strengthen the Star’s offensive game!” 

After making several appearances on various national teams, Turay scored his first goal for Leone Stars against Guinea-Bissau in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers when Sierra Leone defeated their visitors 3-1 in the Liberian capital, March 2025.

Both will join former skipper Steven Caulker at the club – Caulker took on a dual role as player-assistant coach for the men’s first team in June.

Alpha Conteh has also penned a deal with the Garðabær-based outfit on a similar terms of two-half year contract.
Alpha Conteh has also penned a deal with the Garðabær-based outfit on a similar terms of two-half year contract.
Midfielder Ibrahim Turay pens deal with Iceland top-tier side Stjarnan
Midfielder Ibrahim Turay pens deal with Iceland top-tier side Stjarnan
Sierra Leone's Ibrahim Fullah nets first professional goal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Ibrahim Fullah nets first proffessional goal

Ibrahim Fullah scored his first professional goal, while Miles Leaburn and Luke Berry also found the net, leading the Addicks to a 3-1 victory over Stevenage in the Carabao Cup at The Valley.

Nathan Jones made a whopping 11 changes from the squad that triumphed over Watford in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship opener. Among the fresh faces were summer signings Joe Rankin-Costello, Tanto Olaofe, Harvey Knibbs, and academy standout Fullah, all making their full debuts.

After a few early threats, the Addicks took the lead in the 27th minute thanks to Leaburn. The lively Olaofe pounced on a loose ball and skillfully threaded a pass to his strike partner, who took a moment to steady himself before slotting it past Taye Ashby-Hammond.

Following the first goal from a Charlton academy graduate, the second came just eight minutes later, also from the academy. Henry Rylah delivered a low, powerful cross from the right that found Fullah at the back post. He outmuscled his defender and finished confidently across the goal.

Charlton had a strong shout for a penalty shortly after their second goal when Olaofe, with his back to goal, seemed to be clipped by a Stevenage defender, but referee Craig Hicks waved away their appeals.

In the second half, Stevenage tried to claw their way back into the match but struggled to trouble Will Mannion in the Charlton goal. For the Addicks, substitute Berry managed to sneak a touch on Rankin-Costello’s shot, but Ashby-Hammond was quick to react and gathered the ball safely.

The visitors made four substitutions in the 60th minute and began to gain some momentum, but it was Berry who sealed the deal with a goal 13 minutes from time.

Daniel Kanu delivered a fantastic cross from the left, and the substitute expertly got in front of his defender to head the ball beautifully into the bottom corner.

Right-back Osman Kakay's Košice suffer Niké league home defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Right-back Osman Kakay’s Košice suffer Niké League home defeat

In the third round of the Niké league, Sierra Leone International Osman Kakay’s team, Košice FC, lost 1:0 at home versus Trenčín.

Injuries forced two major adjustments for coach Roman Skuhravý; captain Krivák and midfielder Gallovič were left out of the team. Though the team introduced fresh jerseys, they found it difficult to perform.

Early on, Košice created opportunities, but Košice failed to turn them into targets. At the 46th minute, right-back Kakay replaced Milan Dimun in their Slovak top-tier league match.

In the 49th minute via Khan, Trenčín got the only goal of the game.

Despite more pressure from Košice and several missed opportunities, including Jakúbek’s closerange volley and tries from Miljanić and Goljan, they were unable to equalise.

Košice could not break their home scoring curse against Trenčín, and thus the game concluded. Their next, they will face Ružomberok at home on August 23, 2025.

Josh Koroma nets as Leyton Orient open campaign with a win
by Football Sierra Leone

Josh Koroma nets as Leyton Orient beat Wigan Athletic

In his first game for English League One side Leyton Orient in front of the home fans, Sierra Leonean international Josh Koroma opened his account in their 2-0 triumph against Wigan, thereby making a positive start on his second spell with the club at BetWright Stadium.

With Steven Sessegnon’s own goal starting the match, Leyton Orient earned their first League One victory. Sessegnon was later  dismissed in the game, Wigan had their first loss of the year.

Wigan suffered an early loss as James Carragher had to leave the field only five minutes into the game, with Jon Mellish taking his position.

Leading in the 18th minute, Leyton Orient marked the first major chance of the match when Sessegnon unintentionally chested the ball into his net following a Koroma cross.

Following a nice combination with Ollie O’Neill, Aaron Connolly missed his opportunity to score on the halftime mark and fired wide instead.

In the 60th minute, Orient extended their lead when Koroma got a through ball and calmly fired past Sam Tickle, the outstretched goalie.

Wigan had a terrible afternoon, especially Sessegnon, who was sent off late in the game for a professional foul.

Substitute Joe White came within a goal of putting Orient ahead, but Tickle made a great save from his free kick.

Egyptian side ZED FC Signs Sierra Leonean defender Amara Keita
by Football Sierra Leone

Egyptian side Zed FC sign Sierra Leonean defender Amara Keita

August 7, 2025 — Cairo, Egypt —Highlyrated Sierra Leonean defender Amara Keita from SLIFA FC has officially signed for Egyptian Premier League big players ZED FC. (ZedFc Photo)

Keita is well-known for his defensive leadership, exact tackling, and intimidating presence. As ZED FC gets ready for a much anticipated season, he adds toughness, calm, and experience to their backline; he was instrumental in SLIFA’s defence during the Sierra Leone Premier League.

“This is a proud moment for me,” Keita said during the unveiling. “I’m ready to give my all for this club and to represent Sierra Leone at the highest level.”

Official ZED FC lauded Keita, calling him “a defender who combines intelligence with physicality — precisely the kind of player we require to contend for honors.”

His agreement is another major milestone for Sierra Leonean football, drawing attention to the country’s increasing reputation for producing top players.

Keita was a member of the Sierra Leone U20 team that captured many across Africa during the U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt.

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/1953716380617842970

First leg UEFA Champions League defeat for Juma Bah's OGC Nice
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

First leg UEFA Champions League defeat for Juma Bah’s OGC Nice

In their first leg UEFA Champions League preliminary qualifying round, Juma Bah of Sierra Leone and OGC Nice fell 2-0 to Benfica.

With a sellout crowd, the game was held at Allianz Riviera, creating a vibrant environment. Despite a competitive first half and a few good opportunities, Nice battled to close.

Franjo Ivanovic scored first for Benfica in the 53rd minute; Florentino then added a long-range goal in the 88th minute.

Bah started his first UEFA Champions League qualifying first leg and played the full throttle of the contest as Benfica lived up to their reputation as a traditional giant of continental football by overcoming their hosts in a superb atmosphere at the Allianz Riviera on Wednesday night.

Cheering their team on from first minute to last, the sellout crowd—present for the first competitive match of the 2025/26 season—cheered their team.

Though not expected to triumph against the European superpower, Les Aiglons brought the enthusiasm of their fans onto the field during an extremely competitive first half.

From set pieces, Franck Haise’s team also threatened; Melvin Bard’s shot went off target at 10 minutes, and on the counterattack, Terem Moffi wasted a great opportunity at 16 minutes.

Nice has to make up a two-goal loss in the second leg next week at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.

Juma Bah set for UEFA Champions League debut with OGC Nice
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Juma Bah set for UEFA Champions League debut with OGC Nice

On loan from Manchester City, Sierra Leone defender Juma Bah is expected to play in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League third qualifying first leg round as Nice plays Benfica at the Allianz Riviera.

Bah, 19, who joined on a season-long loan, has been handed an opportunity to continue his progression with the French side. Nice, this will be their first competitive outing of the season, with the Ligue 1 campaign not getting underway for another two weeks.

A few days after they visit Lisbon for the second leg, where they hope they will be leaving having caused a mini-upset, Franck Haise’s men will welcome Toulouse here on August 16.

Although finishing fourth in Ligue 1 last season, Nice has two rounds of qualifying to establish their UEFA tournament participation for this season, and they have been given the most difficult tasks in Benfica first up.

Nice is considered the underdog in this match, especially after a difficult European season last year, where they only earned three points from eight league phase games, finishing second-bottom in the Europa League.

This continues a trend of underwhelming European performances, with the club securing only one knockout victory against Sheriff Tiraspol over the past decade. The minimum Nice will achieve is a spot in the Conference League, but they are aiming for a remote push for the Champions League.

The winner will face the victor of the Fenerbahce vs. Feyenoord match, making it a tough challenge for all teams aiming for the league phase.

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo speaks ahead of new campaign
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo speaks ahead of new campaign

Following an injury-free preseason and two goals in Rovers’ five games thus far this summer, Augustus Kargbo told the club’s website that he enters the new season with a good outlook.

Blackburn Rovers will start their new campaign against West Bromwich Albion at the difficult Hawthorns Stadium on the 9th of August, something Kargbo is looking forward to.

With a curling effort beyond Gonzalo Crettaz in the home side’s goal early in the second half, the Sierra Leone international scored Rovers’ goal in the 3-1 defeat at Eredivisie club NEC Nijmegen at the weekend.

Although the attacker’s second shot in preseason was insufficient for Rovers to finish their summer program with a fifth straight triumph, Kargbo claims his morale is good going into this weekend’s opening day match against West Bromwich Albion.

Kargbo, 25, noted he is feeling good and looking forward to the start of the new English Championship season.

“I am feeling great right now, both physically and intellectually. Though it’s just preseason, I’m already looking forward to the league season kickoff.”

My first preseason with the Head Coach and the team has been difficult, although I have accomplished it. Having come through it injury-free following last season’s hamstring problem, I am now ready and hopeful.

Both on and off the pitch, preseason is crucial since it helps us to know one another better. Preseason is finished; preparation for the next season starts today.”

Striker Augustine Williams nets in win over Rhode Island FC
by FSL News

Striker Augustine Williams nets in win over Rhode Island FC

Sierra Leone International Augustine Williams scored his fourth USL Championship goal of the season on August 2, 2025, in a match at Highmark Stadium, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds prevailed over Rhode Island FC 2-0.

Contributing to the Hounds’ unbeaten streak of eight games and their sixth straight victory in USL Championship action, Williams and Bertin Jacquesson scored in the second half.

In league play, goalkeeper Eric Dick had his eighth shutout. Physicality characterised the game, which led to several bookings and the red card for Rhode Island’s JJ Williams in the 69th minute.

Next on August 9, the Riverhounds will welcome Orange County SC.

Scoring summary

PIT — Augi Williams 51’

PIT — Bertin Jacquesson 57’ (Beto Ydrach)

Mustapha Bundu's Hannover start new campaign with a win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu’s Hannover start new campaign with a win

Hannover 96 began the new season in the German second division with a victory, securing three points on the opening matchday. Sierra Leone international Mustapha Bundu made his debut, featuring for 70 minutes.  Photo: Swen Pförtner/dpa

Under head coach Christian Titz, Hannover featured eight new starting signings, including debutant Hayate Matsuda.

They started the match aggressively but had to wait until the 22nd minute for a clear chance, when FCK captain Marlon Ritter missed a long shot.

Hannover’s first real opportunity came moments later when Husseyn Chakroun set up Mustapha Bundu, whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Julian Krahl.

Bundu on the spotlight on his league debut

In the 23rd minute, Hannover’s new winger, Mustapha Bundu, created the first notable chance of the game. The English attacker was the standout player on the pitch during the first half and had another great opportunity to give Lower Saxony the lead just before halftime. However, Kaiserslautern’s goalkeeper, Julian Krahl, made another crucial save.

Alongside Bundu, Hannover’s new Japanese striker, Hayate Matsuda, also made a strong impression. The active, attacking style of football that coach Titz desired was evident in many phases of the game. However, the hosts often struggled with consistency in their performance.

Hannover finally took the lead in the 74th minute when Noel Aseko, who came on at halftime, received a pass from Virgil Ghita and scored his first professional goal, making it 1-0.  

In the 90th minute, Hannover sought to extend their lead. Substitute Daisuke Yokota set up Jannik Rochelt, but his shot was blocked. The final whistle confirmed Hannover 96’s 1-0 victory over 1. FC Kaiserslautern in Titz’s debut match, earning them their first three points at home.

Hannover 1-0 Kaiserslautern

Goal: 1-0 Aséko Nkili 75′