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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. 

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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
Sierra Leone Premier League seal 80k Leone Rock sponsor
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Miners Leone Rock seal $80k Sierra Leone Premier Leone deal

Sierra Leone Football Association and the Premier League Board have secured an $80,000 dollar Leone Rock Metal Group deal for the upcoming season.

The deal is for refinement of the 2023/24 campaign after the League was renamed the Leone Rock Premier League as the first-ever sponsorship from a mining company, it was revealed on Monday in a joint presser at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown.

The occasion was graced by the Minister of Sport, Augusta James Teima, the Sierra Leone Football Association VP 1 Harold Nat Johnson, members of the press and other dignitaries.

“The company supported the Sierra Leone Premier League season with $80,000 Eighty United States Dollars. The League is now officially known as the Leone Rock Premier League for the 2023/2024 season,” the miners have confirmed.

Additionally, according to the first female Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta Tema, Leone Rock Metal Group is the first mining company to set the record of a full sponsorship to the men’s top-tier football club competition.

She, therefore, thanked and appreciated the only reliable mining company for such a wonderful gesture.

The season will kick off on November 3rd – the winner will pocket 500 million Leones, and the runners-up will get 250 million Leones as per the Board’s announcement.

SLPLB say they’ll give each club 80 million Old Leones before kick-starting the season as a booster. 

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The League is now officially known as the Leone Rock Premier League for the 2023/2024 season
The League is now officially known as the Leone Rock Premier League for the 2023/2024 season
Benin and Sierra Leone play out a 1-1 stalemate in a friendly
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Benin and Sierra Leone play out a 1-1 friendly stalemate

On Saturday, Coach Amidu Karim started his Sierra Leone reign with a 1-1 draw with Benin at the Stade Khouribga in Casablanca, Morocco. (Photo Credit SLFA)

Sierra Leone drew with Benin 1-1 after Cheetah’s last-gasp 98th-minute leveller by Cedric Hountondjito to cancel out Odense Boldklub striker Mohamed Buya Turay’s first Sierra Leone goal since his debut in 2018 against Ethiopia. 

Odense Boldklub striker Mohamed Buya Turay opened the score line with his 32nd goal after he dribbled past his marker to slot home at the bottom right for his first Sierra Leone goal. 

It was a brilliant start for new provisional head coach Amidu Karim after back-to-back defeats for Leone Stars against Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau in their match day five and six of the Afcon 2023 qualifiers in June and September, respectively.

Sierra Leone’s keeper Ibrahim Sesay was brilliant through the full throttle of the match following his bravery with a couple of saves over 90 minutes.

Despite a slow start, Karim’s men capitalised on Turay’s 32nd-minute goal and held on to their lead at the break.

After the recess, Sierra Leone continued their brilliant defending as they grew in confidence and composure as they fought for every loose ball. It became intense as Benin rallied for an equaliser – tension mounted from both sides – the referee a couple of times had to intervene.

Cedric Hountondjito slotted in a cross from the left to beat the Leone Stars keeper Ibrahim Sesay for the first time in the match.

The Leone Stars will take on Somalia on Tuesday in their second friendly.

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/1713429308193059162

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Sierra Leone starting Eleven against Benin at the Stade Khouribga in Casablanca, Morocco.
Sierra Leone starting Eleven against Benin at the Stade Khouribga in Casablanca, Morocco.
Sierra Leone aim to bounce back with Benin friendly
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone aim to bounce back with Benin friendly

Sierra Leone’s newly appointed head coach, Amidu Karim, will officially start his reign against  Gernot Rohr’s side at the Stade Khourribga in Casablanca, Morocco, later this afternoon.

Both nations are preparing for next month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers – Kickoff at 3:30 PM Sierra Leone time.

Sierra Leone will be looking to avoid a third straight defeat following defeats to Nigeria and Guinea-Bissua in the African Cup of Nations 2023 match day five and six qualifiers.

Like Sierra Leone, Benin suffered a 3-2 defeat to Mozambique in the final Group L Afcon 2023 qualifier. 

Defenders Curtis Davies and Augustine Loof will not be available for the Benin contest as they await Fifa clearance on the Football Association switch. However, they’ll be ready to face Somalia in the Fifa tier two duel on Tuesday. 

Today’s contest will be the fifth meeting between the two West African nations – their last was when both contested in the race to Cameroon Afcon. Leone Stars came out supremed in the Guinean Capital with a 1-0 victory in June 2021 to reach the 2021 Cup of Nations with Kei Kamara’s only goal.

The Cheetahs of Benin won the first meeting in that qualifiers at the Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto Novo 1-0 on 17 November 2019.

In their last four meeting – Benin won three out of four – in October 2006, they defeated Leone Stars 2-0, the same result on 12 October 2007 through Oumar Tchomogo brace.

Benin is in Group C against Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho in the race to the 2026 World Cup. 

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. 

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/1713121906629447814

 

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Sierra Leone v Benin head to head since 2006
Sierra Leone v Benin head to head since 2006
Curtis Davies and eight other foreign-based players have arrived at Leone Stars camp in Morocco for friendly matches against Benin and Somalia on the 14 and 17, respectively.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Curtis Davies banks on experience to boost Sierra Leone dream

Former West Bromwich and Derby centre-back Curtis Davies is optimistic his twenty-years professional football will help the Sierra Leone national team as he joins new International teammates.

Davies, 38, presently playing for League One side Cheltenham Town, has arrived at Leone Stars camp in Morocco for friendly matches against Benin and Somalia on the 14 and 17, respectively.

Acknowledging he is in the twilight of his career, however, his professional know-how can help nurture his new International teammates.

With over 500 professional matches for clubs like Birmingham, Aston Villa, West Brom, Hull and Derby, Davies told Football Sierra Leone that he banks on his professional ability to guide others.

“I hope my experience can help this time – I think being an older player, having played at the level I have played at, I would like to think the professionalism I bring and the standards I have adhered to in my whole career – will hopefully assist the group, But first, I need to know my teammates, as players, as people and from there – you can help people individually.

“For now, is all about me coming into this camp, getting to know people, the technical team, getting to know the way things are goning to be done so that hopfully, in the next camp for the World Cup qualifiers, I am better prepare Individually and people know me a bit more.”

  • On Receiving The Call-Up

 “When I got the call, it was an initial shock, if I am being honest. Because obviously, at my age, I thought the opportunity to play for Sierra Leone had gone. 

It was something that had always been at the back of my head. But, what it is, I never want to be the one to reach out. 

It could have been easy to try during the AFCON in Cameroon when there was success. Again, at the time, I did not want to jump at the success of others.

  •  Davies On His Sierra Leone Root 

“When I spoke to my dad after receiving the call – in his voice, I knew I had to do it, to come and play for the team – he was so proud.

My dad is the motivational factor in this. Obviously, when I was younger, I represented England at the U21 level. I then was in some four squads as I got older. 

I could have played for Ireland – it was never a question of playing for Ireland or Sierra Leone. That is why I never play for Ireland, either. 

Is a case of my dad has done everything in my life to give me the best opportunity to be a player, so I think at this stage of my career, to be able to do this is a blessing. 

I would like to dedicate my dad – he made this happen for all those years of running around to various football pitches. From County football, District football and them even for Premier League, my dad will go everywhere.”

Between 2006 and 2007, Davies earned three caps for England under-21s before he was drafted in Fabio Capello’s first England squad in January 2008. 

On Saturday, Sierra Leone kicks off their 2026 World Cup preparations with a friendly against Benin in Morocco at the Stade Bechir, Casablanca, before taking on Somalia on Tuesday at the Stade Berrechid.

The Leone Stars journey for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023 against Ethiopia and African powerhouse Egypt. 

The others in Group A are Burkina-Faso Guinea-Bissau and Djibouti in the race to the 2026 World Cup.

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Curtis Davies first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco
Curtis Davies first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco
Caf 'A' licensed coach Victoria Conteh set for SFEF sport education program
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Caf A licenced coach Victoria embraces empowerment role  

CAF A Licence female trainer Victoria Conteh, the first woman to coach a top-tier men’s football club in Sierra Leone, is set to hit the road running – on a quest to educate the next generation of coaches across Sierra Leone.

Coach Conteh to join hands in the Sport For Empowerment Foundation Grassroots coaches and management training to be rolled out from the 14th of October 2023 across Sierra Leone for up to three weeks.

Over the years, she has been working with the SFEF foundation across Sierra Leone to promote grassroots education programs for young coaches in rural areas.

In May of 2022, she led their first-ever grassroots coaches management and education training program in Kono. In August of the same year, a follow-up training program was organized in Kono, with coaches from various areas across the country participating in the training.

This month, she will lead a group of expert coaches who will be travelling from Lungi, Bo, Kenema, Mattru Jong, Kono, Kamakwie, and Makeni to continue educating grassroots coaches with the theme Building Better Communities Through Education and Sport.

Conteh is the only female CAF Instructor in Sierra Leone and holds a CAF ‘A’ License. She has served as under 20 women’s team coach. 

She now serves as coordinator for the Sierra Leone national female team. Victoria Conteh was a member of the first Sierra Leone Women’s International in 1994.

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Sierra Leone line-up friendlies for World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone line-up friendlies for World Cup qualifiers

Veteran English defender Curtis Davies has been drafted to provisional head coach Amidu Karim’s 25-man sqaud for friendlies in Morocco.

The Cheltenham Town defender is set to join eleven (11) other foreign-based players for friendlies against Benin and Somalia in Casablanca, Morocco.

Sierra Leone to kick start the groundwork for World Cup 2026 qualifiers with matches against Benin and Somalia. The Leone Stars will take on the Cheetahs of Benin on the 14th before hosting the Ocean Stars of Somalia on the 17 October.

All engagements are for preparatory assessments for November’s World Cup qualification. 

Somalia are in Group G alongside Algeria, Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique and Botswana. Benin is in Group C against Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho in the race to the 2026 World Cup. 

The Leone Stars defeated Benin 1-0 in their last meeting through a Kei Kamara spot kick during the AFCON race to Cameroon in Guinea in June 2021 as Sierra Leone secured a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1996.

Ranked 124 in the global standings, Leone Stars’ journey to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023. 

Coach Karim and the technical team will use these games in the North African region to assess the squad ahead of his first major task against Group A opponents Ethiopia and powerhouse Egypt in November.

The others in Group A are Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau and Djibouti in the race to the 2026 World Cup.

Leone Stars last outing in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying, Group Stage A final match ended in 2-1 defeat to Guinea-Bissua at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in September.

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East End Lions appoint Charlie Wright as head coach
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

East End Lions appoint Charlie Wright as head coach

One of Sierra Leone’s most decorated clubs, East End Lions, has appointed the former FC Kallon coach as their new head coach ahead of the new premier league campign.

The former national U20, U23 and homebased coach comes with a lot of Sierra Leone Premier League experience following his twelve-year spell with FC Kallon in the country’s highest tier of club football.

East End Lions finished last top-tier campaign third, but they’ll be looking to better that this campaign. The Sierra Leone Premier is set to kick off on the 3rd of November, the League Board have confirmed.

PLB say the winner of this year’s league will receive 500 million old leones and runners-up 250 million old leones 

“We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Class A Coach Charlie Wright as our new Head Coach. Coach Wright is set to lead our charge & develop the youth team. He will work with Coach Raymond Hunter and other coaches. Welcome, Coach Wright!,” The Eastern Giant Club confirmed this on Twitter.

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Ex-International Amidu Karim lands a Sierra Leone coaching job
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ex-International Amidu Karim lands Sierra Leone coaching job

Former Sierra Leone attacking midfielder Amidu Karim, who was part of the Leone Stars 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations squad, has been appointed provisional head coach of the national team.

The former U23 technician will be assisted By former homebased coach Francis Zappa Koroma and Bo Rangers Alhaji Foray as they start their groundwork ahead of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The SLFA say Karim and his team will take charge of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers starting in November. Karim, 49, who has been assistant under John Keister during the AFCON in Cameroon and the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, will start a new journey in his coaching career.

His Leone Stars’ journey to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023. His first task will be a doubleheader against  Walia Ibex of Ethiopia before hosting the African powerhouse Egypt.

The draw for the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup finals placed Sierra Leone in Group A with five teams: Egypt, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, and Djibouti.

About the World Cup qualifiers Nine (9) Groups Fifty-four (54) Teams 

The Africa Zone (CAF) qualifiers for the 26 FIFA World Cup will begin on 13 November 2023 and end in November 2025.

Qualification process – The African teams will play across two rounds – the first contest of the group stage, with nine groups of six teams each. 

Each team will play ten home and away matches -the top finisher in each group will qualify for World Cup 26.

The second round will pit the four best runners-up in two one-off semi-finals, followed by a final. The winner of this second round will participate in the FIFA Play-off Tournament.

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/1709297482469949711

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The draw for the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup finals placed Sierra Leone in Group A with five teams: Egypt, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, and Djibouti.
The draw for the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup finals placed Sierra Leone in Group A with five teams: Egypt, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, and Djibouti.
Tricky away Champions League contest for Bo Rangers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tricky away Champions League contest for Bo Rangers

Having suffered a heavy first leg 3-1 defeat to their Algerian counterparts, Bo Rangers travelled to face Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad for a place in the competition group stages.

Sierra Leone Champions Bo Rangers went down 3-1 at home to CR Belouizdad in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Sunday, September 17 2023, at the Southern Arena.

As a result, Bo Rangers face a giant second-leg task as the return fixture is set to be played at the Oran Olympic Stadium in Algeria on September 30 2023.

Saturday’s meeting will be their fourth after both teams wrestled in this competition last season, but the Algerians again came off top with a 3-0 aggregate over two legs.

In the first leg at the Southern Arena, Sierra Leone back-back Champions started well when they capitalised on the 11-minute chance through Abu Komeh.

This will be the kind of start coach Alhaji Foray will be hoping for if they are to survive the wave in the Algerian city.

The Southern Province outfit departed Sierra Leone with a 23-man sqaud on Wednesday, September 27th, en route to Guinea for Algeria, highly motivated and determined to deliver a respectable result.

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Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad in Algeria training ahead of Bo Rangers tie on Saturday
Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad in Algeria training ahead of Bo Rangers tie on Saturday