Category: Sport News

Mohamed Conteh shines for Al Ain in the International U16 Cup
by FSL News

Mohamed Conteh shines for Al Ain in International Cup

In April of this year, 15-year-old Mohamed Jay Jay Conteh, a former FC Kallon and Duada Bangs FC midfielder, won his first silverware with the Al Ain U16 team in the United Arab Emirates. 

Conteh left Sierra Leone in September 2022 and played a crucial role in the third edition of the Al Ain tournament held from March to April 2024.

Despite facing setbacks due to injuries, he made significant contributions as his team competed against renowned clubs such as Chelsea FC, RS Kerkane, Kashiwa Reysol Club, SK Slavia Prague from the Czech Republic, and Sporting SC from Portugal in the International Youth Cup.

“I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup. It was a great experience for me as a young player,” Conteh told this medium.

Despite joining the team in the second half of the league after recovering from a hand injury, I was pleased with my contribution.”

The former Sierra Leone U15 attacking midfielder hopes the new season will further propel him to greater heights.

“I’m looking forward to the upcoming season and hopefully playing with the Al Ain U17 side. Since joining the team after the injury, I have played 19 games, scored six goals, and provided seven assists.”

I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup.
I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup.
Fifa bans 2023 AFCON top scorer Emilio Nsue over ineligibility
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fifa bans 2023 AFCON top scorer Emilio Nsue over ineligibility

African Cup of Nations golden boot winner Emilio Nsue has been banned by the world governing body, FIFA, for six months. 

This decision comes after FIFA ruled that the Equatorial Guinea striker was ineligible to play in his country’s first two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. 

Last November, the 34-year-old scored the winning goal in both games in question, against Namibia and Liberia.

The Equatorial Guinea Football Association has also been sanctioned by FIFA, resulting in the country forfeiting its first two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, in which Nsue participated.

A Fifa disciplinary committee was “comfortably satisfied” that Nsue was ineligible for “several” international matches and has ruled that both World Cup preliminaries will be forfeited 3-0 by the Central Africans. 

It has also fined the Equatoguinean federation (Feguifut) 150,000 Swiss francs ($164,000, £129,000) and banned Nsue – a former youth international for Spain – from playing for any national side for six months. 

FIFA has not provided further details on the ruling for a player who won the Golden Boot at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. An official from Feguifut said they are investigating the case and have not received official notification from FIFA. 

Nsue was previously ruled ineligible by FIFA in 2013. Equatorial Guinea faces a potential six-point deduction, which would impact their chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup finals. 

They currently hold the second position in their group, but if the deduction is upheld, they will drop to fifth. The team is scheduled to face Tunisia and Malawi in qualifiers next month.

Liberia brush aside Sierra Leone in U20 WAFU tourney in Senegal
by FSL News

Liberia brush aside Sierra Leone in U20 WAFU tourney in Senegal 

Liberia’s U20 team proved too strong for their Sierra Leonean counterparts, securing a spot in the semifinals of the WAFU A U-20 Women’s Tournament with a decisive 7-0 victory. 

It was the Liberian’s second win from Group B following their opening 2-0 w=victory over Guinea in the tournament opener. 

Edwardline Jackson’s hat trick – along with goals from Louise Brown, Jessica Quachie, and Anita Tarpeh, contributed to the win.

Edwardline Jackson was awarded Woman of the Match for outstanding performance in the 7-0 victory over Sierra Leone’s U-20 team. 

Sierra Leone suffered a setback when Fatmata Turay was sent off with a red card in the 41st minute, leaving them with one player down for the rest of the match.

Despite their best efforts, playing with a player down proved a significant disadvantage as they couldn’t cope with Liberia’s attacking prowess.

Following their 2-0 victory against Mauritania in their opening match, Liberia’s U20 team will face Guinea in their final group B match and must win to avoid elimination.

Results for matches played yesterday at the Stade Lat Dior
Results for matches played yesterday at the Stade Lat Dior
Ports Authority's top striker, Musa Noah Kamara, led the team to a 3-0 victory over Kahunla Rangers on Thursday.
by FSL News

Musa Noah Kamara nets hat-trick in win over Kahunla Rangers 

Ports Authority’s top striker, Musa Noah Kamara, led the team to a 3-0 victory over Kahunla Rangers on Thursday. (Photo Credit Ronald Sesay)

The Sierra Leone International scored his eighth season goal, helping his side move to 13th place. 

Kamara is a household name in the Sierra Leone topflight, having previously won the top scorer awards with East End Lions and Bo Rangers. 

In January of this year, Ports Authority officially unveiled their new talisman, Musa Noah Kamara, after his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) was confirmed by the Sierra Leone Football Association, making him eligible to play for the club. 

His arrival was expected to strengthen the Ports’ attack, and he has already demonstrated his capabilities on the pitch.

Augustine Williams takes tally to seven for Indy Eleven 
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustine Williams takes tally to seven for Indy Eleven 

Indy Eleven made club history by reaching the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the first time after defeating USL Championship rival Detroit City FC 3-0. 

Augustine Williams scored his seventh goal in thirteen games since joining the club before the new campaign. He has two Open Cup goals for Indy this season, while Stanley leads the team with two assists.

The scoring started with a Detroit City own goal from a Benjamin Ofeimu cross. Indy Eleven has scored their first goal in the 14th minute or earlier in all three U.S. Open Cup matches this season.

Indy Eleven scored two more goals in the first half. Douglas Martinez assisted Augi Williams for the first goal in the 33rd minute, and Aedan Stanley connected on a corner kick to Ofeimu for the second goal in the 36th minute.

Indy Eleven is unbeaten in its last eight matches, dating back to the Third Round win over Chicago Fire FC II on April 17. 

They also became the second Indiana club in the tournament’s history to reach the Quarterfinals (the first being Indianapolis Inferno in 1992).

Indy Eleven will play against Atlanta United (MLS) on the road on July 9 or 10 in the Quarterfinals.

Indy Eleven will play against Atlanta United (MLS) on July 9 or 10 in the Quarterfinals on the road.
Indy Eleven will play against Atlanta United (MLS) on July 9 or 10 in the Quarterfinals on the road.
Abdourahman Okieh picks 23-man squad for Sierra Leone and Ethiopia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abdourahman Okieh picks 23-man squad for Sierra Leone and Ethiopia 

Abdourahman Okieh has selected a 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Ethiopia. 

The Djibouti men’s senior national team will play against Sierra Leone on June 5th at Stade El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco, and will face Ethiopia on June 9th for matchday four.

After losing their opening two Group A matches, Djibouti is currently at the bottom of the standings. They suffered a 6-1 defeat to Egypt and a 1-0 home loss to Guinea-Bissau in November 2023.

In the current standings, Egypt leads Group A with six points, followed by Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau with four points each. Sierra Leone and Ethiopia are tied on one point each, while Djibouti has no points after losing their first two games.

In their preliminary AFCON qualifier against Liberia in March, Lone Star captain Murphy Dorley scored one of two first-half goals as the Lone Stars defeated hosts Djibouti 2-0 in the opening leg in Marrakech. 

Mohammed Sangare opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute, followed by Dorley calmly converting Sebastian Teclar’s cross 12 minutes later. The match ended in a goalless draw in Liberia, leading to their elimination.

Abdourahman Okieh has selected a 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Ethiopia.
Abdourahman Okieh has selected a 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Ethiopia.
Lookman hattrick hero in Europa final to end Leverkusen’s unbeaten run
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Lookman shines in Europa final to end Leverkusen’s unbeaten run

Ademola Lookman made history with a hat trick in the Europa League final for Atalanta as they dismantled Bayern Leverkusen 3-0 on Wednesday, surprising even his coach, Gian Piero Gasperini. 

The Nigerian international became the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final. He had never scored double figures in a season for any of his previous clubs. However, his performance significantly improved after moving to Atalanta, where he scored 15 goals in each of his two seasons with the club.

Gasperini credited a senior manager at Atalanta for spotting Lookman’s potential and bringing him to the club. Following the match, Lookman expressed his confidence in his abilities and his gratitude for the support he received from Atalanta and his coach. 

Additionally, his mentor and former youth coach spoke highly of him, emphasizing Lookman’s hard work and determination to succeed.

He also mentioned that his time in Bergamo had been instrumental in his development as a player. 

The recent final might be remembered as the Lookman final, but Atalanta’s success is equally remarkable. This is only their second trophy in their 116-year history, the first being the 1963 Coppa Italia. 

Last week, they lost the Coppa Italia final to Juventus, so this victory is an impressive comeback. Gasperini’s team made history by becoming the first Italian team to win this tournament since 1999.

“I am hugely proud for all of Italy because it was a cursed trophy,” said the 66-year-old, who took charge of the club in 2016. “Having won it with Atalanta is perhaps one of those footballing fairytales that rarely crop up.”

The Nigerian international became the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final.
The Nigerian international became the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final.
Gasperini's team also made history by becoming the first Italian team to win this tournament since 1999.
Gasperini's team also made history by becoming the first Italian team to win this tournament since 1999.
Sierra Leone U20 beat Mauritania in the WAFU opener
by FSL News

Sierra Leone U20 beat Mauritania in WAFU women’s opener 

In Group B, the Sierra Leone national U20 women’s team secured a 2-0 win over Mauritania on Tuesday in the WAFU Women’s Tournament in Senegal.

Sierra Leone dominated the game at the Stade Lat Dior, with goals from Kadiatu M Kamara and Juliet Brima in the 41st and 43rd minutes, respectively. 

Mauritania held on until the 41st minute when Sierra Leone won a corner kick. Fatmata Turay took a short kick to skipper Kamara, whose volley ended at the back of the net.  

Sierra Leone continued to dominate and scored their second goal through Juliet Brima’s header, securing their win.

In another match, Liberia recorded an opening 2-0 win over Guinea at the same venue.

In Group A, Mali drew with Guinea Bissau, while host Senegal defeated Gambia 2-0 in their opening matches.

The competition continues today, with Mali taking on Gambia and Guinea Bissau playing against Senegal at 4 pm and 7 pm, respectively.

Sierra Leone dominated the game at the Stade Lat Dior, with goals from Kadiatu M Kamara and Juliet Brima in the 41st and 43rd minutes, respectively. 
Sierra Leone dominated the game at the Stade Lat Dior, with goals from Kadiatu M Kamara and Juliet Brima in the 41st and 43rd minutes, respectively. 
Ex-Sierra Leone coach Jonathan McKinstry appointed as new Gambia boss
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Jonathan McKinstry appointed as new Gambia boss

The Gambia Football Federation has confirmed the appointment of Jonathan McKinstry as their new head coach of the national team. 

The UEFA PRO License holder, who has previously led Gor Mahia to clinch the Kenyan Premier League title, is set to take over from Tom Saintfiet after Gambia’s exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. 

Jonathan, aged 38, has previously coached Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Rwanda. He is currently the manager of Gor Mahia FC in Kenya and will assume the role with the Scorpions from June 1, 2024.

In the August 2014 FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, the Leone Stars ranked 50th in the world and also broken into the top 10 teams on the continent. They were in seventh place under the management of the Irish coach.

The Northern Irish coach has signed a two-year contract and has been tasked with qualifying The Gambia for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Jonathan previously coached the Uganda national team, Saif SC in Bangladesh, and the Lithuanian club Kauno Zalgiris, with early career roles in youth development at Newcastle United, New York Red Bulls, the Right to Dream Academy, and the Craig Bellamy Foundation.

Augustus Kargbo happy to help Cesena lift the Super Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo happy to help Cesena win the Super Cup 

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo expressed his delight at helping Cesena win the Italian Serie C Super Cup on Sunday.

Kargbo, 24, scored for Cesena in the 61st minute to reduce the deficit after Juve Stabia went ahead through Nicola Mosti and A. Adorante in the 20th and 27th minutes, respectively.

“It was a tough match – we knew it would be. They are an aggressive team that tries to disrupt our game. We were prepared for this. We kept pushing regardless of the result,” Kargbo stated on the club’s website.

“We finally won. I’m happy to have helped the team. It doesn’t matter whether I score or provide an assist – what’s important is contributing to the team. On that occasion, assisting Robi was more important than trying to score alone.

After Ramadan, I experienced a decline, which may happen, but it’s unnecessary. The most important thing was having confidence in myself because the support of my teammates and the club has always been there. This enabled me to work hard and strive for improvement to help the team in the best possible way.”

The attacker will join the Sierra Leone National team for the third and fourth matchdays of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.  The Leone Stars will play on 5 June against Djibouti at the Stade El Abdi in El Jadida (Morocco), while on the 10th, they take on Burkina Faso at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako (Mali).