Category: Sport News

Ghana's defender Patric Pfeiffer joins Swiss Super League side Young Boys

Ghana’s defender Patric Pfeiffer joins Swiss Super League side

Ghanaian defender Patric Pfeiffer has moved to Swiss Super League champions Young Boys for the 2024/25 season.

“Reinforcement from the Bundesliga: 24-year-old central defender Patric Pfeiffer comes from FC Augsburg and will play the current season on loan at YB,” Young Boys posted on the official Facebook page.

Pfeiffer, who is 1.96m tall, joined Young Boys from German Bundesliga side FC Augsburg. He struggled to get playing time at FC Augsburg last season.

Born in Hamburg, Germany, to Ghanaian parents, Pfeiffer chose to play for Ghana last year after representing Germany’s under-18 and under-19 teams.

However, the Swiss side has confirmed that Pfeiffer will return to FC Augsburg at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Currently on loan to Young Boys, Pfeiffer will be aiming to assist the team as they take on Turkish giants Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League play-off round, hoping to secure a spot in the group stage.

Bo Rangers optimistic ahead of San Pedro Champions League tie

Bo Rangers optimistic ahead of San Pedro Champions League tie

Sierra Leonean champions Bo Rangers’ head coach has spoken ahead of their CAF Champions League Interclub 2024/25 Preliminary first leg at the Southern Arena in Bo against San Pedro of Ivory Coast.

The much-anticipated CAF Interclub tie is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, at 4 pm local time before the second leg next weekend in Ivory Coast. 

Providing background on his team’s preparation, John Keister stated that after winning the league, the players were given a two-week break. Upon their return, they have been working hard, and the coach is pleased with their response and efforts during training.

He said the team played some practice games to see how well they were doing in different situations. Keister stressed how important these matches were for checking the players’ and team’s condition before the CAF competition.

“We are satisfied with the team’s performance so far, and there is a great sense of optimism within the team as we head into the qualifiers,” Keister stated.

He acknowledged that Bo Rangers has previously struggled in the competition but expressed confidence in the team’s strength this time around. The coach emphasized the team’s determination to achieve positive results.

“The players are very optimistic and mentally strong. We are pleased with our preparation,” Keister said, acknowledging the historical challenges Sierra Leonean teams have faced against Ivorian counterparts.

However, he expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome these obstacles.

Attacker Mustapha Bundu on target in Plymouth Argyle's Cup win

Attacker Mustapha Bundu on target in Plymouth Argyle’s Cup win  

Sierra Leone’s striker, Mustapha Bundu, scored as Plymouth Argyle’s head coach, Wayne Rooney, achieved his first win in the Carabao Cup match on Wednesday evening.

The team rebounded from their 4-0 Championship defeat at Sheffield Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over Cheltenham Town at Home Park.

Plymouth Argyle had more chances in the first half, with Ryan Hardie and Freddie Issaka going close, while Ethon Archer hit the post with a low shot five minutes before half-time.

Ben Waine broke the deadlock after an hour, tapping in from close range after Adam Randell’s free-kick was parried onto the crossbar.

After taking the lead, Argyle dominated the game, with substitutes Mustapha Bundu and Morgan Whittaker missing good chances.

In the 81st minute, Hardie doubled the lead with a close-range finish from Ibrahim Cissoko’s cross.

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu sealed the win in the 84th minute with a controlled finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

In his first game in charge on Sunday, Rooney’s team had suffered a 4-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

However, for this match, Rooney made changes to the lineup, with only young midfielder Darko Gyabi and goalkeeper Conor Hazard remaining, as Michael Cooper was set to join Sheffield United as their new goalkeeper.

Argyle 3 

Waine 62, Hardie 81, Bundu 84 

Cheltenham 0 

Sierra Leone's Tyrese Fornah is excited to join Salford City

Sierra Leone’s Tyrese Fornah ready for fresh start at Salford City

Sierra Leone international Tyrese Fornah is ready for a fresh start after joining League Two side Salford City FC on a season-long loan deal from Derby County for the 2024-25 season. The move is subject to FA and EFL ratification and approval.

The midfielder helped Derby win automatic promotion from League One with the Rams.

“I’m a dynamic soccer player who loves advancing the ball, creating excitement, and showcasing my skills.  I want to share joy with the fans and help the team win. The club’s ambition to get promoted aligns perfectly with mine. I believe this team can achieve promotion. Let’s get started,” Fornah told the club’s website.

The Sierra Leone international signed with the Rams from Nottingham Forest last summer. He played in 23 matches in all competitions as Paul Warne’s side secured promotion from the third tier.

However, he had limited playing time in the second half of last season, with his last league start coming in the 3-1 home win against Lincoln City in December 2023.

Fornah came off the bench as a late substitute in last Friday’s Sky Bet Championship season opener at Blackburn Rovers. He might make his Salford debut in their league match at Bradford City on Saturday.

Abu Kamara nets in Norwich Carabao Cup win over Stevenage

Abu Kamara scores first Norwich’s goal in win over Stevenage

On Tuesday, Abu Kamara, a native of Sierra Leone, scored his first goal for Norwich as they secured a 4-3 victory over Stevenage, earning a spot in the second round of the Carabao Cup at Carrow Road.

The team made seven changes from their last game. Newcomers to the starting lineup included Brad Hills, Jaden Warner, Amankwah Forson, Abu Kamara, George Long, Onel Hernández, and Kellen Fisher.

Kamara, who last season was pivotal in Portsmouth’s promotion, scored his first goal for Norwich, in the first start, but Stevenage quickly equalized.

Hernández then scored, but Stevenage equalized again. In the second half, Kamara and Hernández, both scored again, leading to Norwich’s 4-3 win.

17-year-old Elliot Myles made his senior debut towards the end of the match. Next, Norwich City will play against Blackburn Rovers at Carrow Road on Saturday at 3 pm.

The Carabao Cup Round Two draw will be conducted live on Sky Sports after the Leeds United v Middlesbrough match on Wednesday, 14 August.

Nigeria midfielder Alhassan Yusuf ready for MLS adventure

Nigerian midfielder Alhassan Yusuf ready for MLS adventure

The New England Revolution has obtained Nigerian central midfielder Alhassan Yusuf from the Belgian club Royal Antwerp FC for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old will occupy an international roster spot through the 2027 Major League Soccer season, with an option for 2028.

“Yusuf will join the Revolution pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC),NER has announced.

After three years in the Belgian top flight with Royal Antwerp, where he won three trophies, including the 2022-23 Belgian Pro League championship and 2022-23 Belgian Cup, he joined our team.

Yusuf played in all six games for Antwerp in the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League, scoring a goal against FC Porto and providing an assist against FC Barcelona.

He also made seven appearances in the UEFA Europa League. In total, he had 90 league appearances for Antwerp and made three appearances for the Nigeria National Team at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished as runners-up.

Highly rated youngster Gift Sunday joins Norwegian side

Highly rated youngster Gift Sunday joins Norwegian side

Norwegian football club FK Bodø Glimt has officially announced the signing of Nigerian forward Gift Sunday.

“The 18-year-old Nigerian Gift Sunday is the newest addition to Bodø/Glimt,” Bodø Glimt noted on their website

He hails from the P Sports Academy in his home country and has recently signed with Bodø/Glimt until the summer of 2028.

“It’s a great experience for me to sign my first professional contract with such a big club like Glimt. It’s a dream come true,” says a smiling Gift Sunday to glimt.no.

“We’ve been following each other for a while, and he has previously visited us during a training stint. Now we’re looking forward to getting to know him even better,” says sporting director Håvard Sakariassen.

The 2024/25 CAF Interclub season will kick off on Friday

The 2024/25 CAF Interclub season set to kick off on Friday

The 2024/25 CAF Interclub season set to start this week with the Preliminary Rounds of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

The First Preliminary Round First Leg will take place between August 16-18, with the return leg set for August 23-25, 2024.

The Second Preliminary Round will take place between September 13-15 for the first legs of the second round, while the return legs to confirm the draw for the Group Stages will be played between September 20-22, 2024.

The champions Al Ahly SC (Egypt), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) don’t need to play in the first round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. The top 12 clubs in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, including holders Zamalek SC, also don’t need to play in the First Preliminary Round.

It’s early in both competitions, but fans can expect great matchups. Clubs from across Africa will try to qualify for the second round and the group stages.

In the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, there are exciting matches like Young Africans, the Tanzanian champions, playing against Vital’O FC of Burundi. Also, Pyramids FC from Egypt will face JKU SC of Zanzibar, and former champions Orlando Pirates FC will face Disciples FC of Madagascar.

In the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, there’s an interesting match between Zambia’s Zesco United and Dynamos FC of Zimbabwe. UTS from Morocco will host RS Abidjan of Cote d’Ivoire, and Nsoatreman FC of Ghana will welcome TP Elect Sport of the Republic of Chad.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Fixtures – CLICK HERE 

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Fixtures – CLICK HERE

Yayah Kallon nets first Salernitana goal in win over Spezia

Yayah Kallon nets first Salernitana goal in win over Spezia

At the “Arechi” stadium, Salernitana qualified for the round of 32 of the Coppa Italia by beating Spezia 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw at full time.

Sierra Leone-born Yayah Kallon helped U.S. Salernitana 1919 progress to round 32 of the Coppa Italia – his 53rd-minute goal revived their comeback.

In the 43rd minute, Spezia scored the first goal. After that, they scored a second goal and were ahead 2-0 at halftime. Salernitana scored a goal early in the second half through Yayah Kallon, making it 2-1.

Spezia then scored another goal, making it 3-1. The home team scored twice, equalizing the game at 3-3. The match went to a penalty shootout, which Salernitana won 5-4.

Kallon, 23, sealed a season-long loan transfer from Hellas Verona to the Serie B outfit Salernitana last month.

During his loan spell at Bari last season, Kallon made 14 appearances and scored two goals. He is hopeful he will continue performing well on the field.

Winger David Kalokoh is in line to start against Jong PSV

Winger David Kalokoh in line to start against Jong PSV

Sierra Leone-born David Kalokoh is expected to be in the starting line-up when Jong PSV hosts Jong Ajax at PSV Campus De Herdgang on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 18:00 UTC in the first round of the Eerste Divisie.

Last season, both teams faced difficulties, with Jong Ajax finishing fifteenth on 40 points but with a better goal difference compared to the PSV youth team.

The current head-to-head records for the teams stand at Jong PSV’s seven wins, Jong Ajax’s eight wins, and seven draws. Kalokoh scored three goals in thirty-one appearances last season, and the young winger aims to improve this statistic in the upcoming games.

The 19-year-old signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club from September 1, 2023, until June 30, 2027. His previous contract was set to expire in 2024. David Kalokoh was born on April 21, 2005, in Kono, Sierra Leone, and he transferred from VVV-Venlo’s youth academy to Ajax’s youth academy in 2018.

On April 28 of this year, Kalokoh made his professional football debut during the Ajax U23 match against his former club VVV-Venlo, which ended with a score of 0-1. So far, he has played nine matches for Ajax U23, scoring one goal.