Category: Sport News

Augustus Kargbo's Cesena was promoted to Serie B
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo’s Cesena promoted to Serie B

On March 31, 2024, Cesena FC achieved a significant milestone by winning the Serie C championship, with a score of 1-0 against Pescara F.C. Edoardo Pierozzi scored the only goal of the day. 

The party has already started in Cesena. Mimmo Toscano’s Bianconeri are promoted to Serie BKT with four matchdays to spare.

The Romagna team’s victory led them to 86 points in Group B, which took them 14 points ahead of Torres. This triumph resulted in Cesena’s automatic promotion to Serie B after being absent from the league since 2018.

Sierra Leonean winger Augustus Kargbo played a pivotal role in the nail-biting final match of the season played on Cesena FC’s home turf. 

Background 

On 19th January 2019, he made his debut in Serie B for Crotone during a match against Cittadella. He came on as a substitute for Marco Firenze in the 68th minute.

Later, on 2nd September 2019, he joined Reggiana on loan. On 22nd July, he scored a crucial goal during the final match against Bari, which led to the promotion of the club to Serie B.

On 20 September 2020, Kargbo debuted in Serie A for Crotone during a 1-4 away defeat against Genoa. 

The former Reggiana was then loaned back to Reggiana on 29 September 2020. Afterwards, on 26 August 2023, Kargbo signed a three-year deal with Cesena.

Sierra Leone's Augustus Kargbo's Cesena was promoted to Serie B
Sierra Leone's Augustus Kargbo's Cesena was promoted to Serie B
Striker Amadou Bakayoko takes his Dundee tally to seven
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Amadou Bakayoko takes his Dundee tally to seven

On Saturday, Sierra Leone International Amadou Bakayoko recorded his seventh of the season as he helped Dundee to a 2-1 win over St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League.

Dundee secured a crucial win against St Johnstone in the Tayside derby in the Scottish Premiership, thanks to a late goal from Sierra Leone’s International Amadou Bakayoko in the 80th-minute

The win moved Dundee up to sixth in the league table, one point clear of Hibernian with a game in hand. 

Lyall Cameron opened the scoring for the visitors in the sixth minute of the game with a beautiful lob over the goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov from distance. 

St Johnstone replied in the 60th minute with a fantastic acrobatic overhead kick from Adama Sidibeh, equalizing the match.

However, Bakayoko snatched victory with 10 minutes to play as he slid in Luke McCowan’s cross.

Spoils shared between Asec Mimosas & Esperance de Tunis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Spoils shared between Asec Mimosas & Esperance de Tunis

Asec Mimosas and Esperance Sportive de Tunis played out a goalless draw in their Quarter-Final fixture at Stade Olympique in Tunis on Saturday.

Both teams are to meet again in the CAF Champions League return leg Quarter-Finals on 05 or 06 April as everything will be decided at Felicia.

Despite having less possession, Asec Mimosas had the first chance at goal when Karidioula Mofosse almost scored after Raed Bouchniba lost possession in the danger area. 

In the first half, Ghaylen Chaleli’s dangerous ball almost caught Asec’s goalkeeper off guard, but he managed to fist it away.

After the recess, the hosts continued to attack, with coach Miguel Cardoso injecting fresh legs. 

Second-half substitute Oussema Bouguerra’s well-struck effort from outside the box hit the woodwork, and Houssem Tka missed a header that went just off target. 

Despite the pressure from the hosts, Asec Mimosas managed to absorb most of the attacks, securing a confidence-boosting draw before the return leg next weekend. 

Meanwhile, on Friday, in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, Al Ahly SC, the title holders, won 1-0 in Dar es Salaam against Tanzanian giants, Simba SC in the first leg of the Quarter-Finals.

Ahmed Kouka scored an early goal to secure the first-leg victory for the Egyptian giants. They did well to withstand the ongoing pressure from Simba throughout the encounter.

LAFC Strengthens Attack with Signing of Kei Kamara
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Kei Kamara joins his 11th MLS club Los Angeles

Los Angeles has signed veteran forward Kei Kamara for the 2024 season with an option for 2025. Kamara, 39, has played for a record 11 different MLS teams, scored 144 goals, and is one of the all-time greatest goal scorers in MLS history.

“Kei is considered one of the best goal scorers in the history of Major League Soccer and will be a valuable addition to our team’s attacking force,” stated John Thorrington, LAFC’s Co-President and General Manager. “Kei has a long history of playing in Southern California, so we are confident that it will be a source of pride for him to represent LAFC.”

He returned to Southern California, where he played in high school and college before starting his MLS career in 2006. 

The ex-Sierra Leone striker joins LAFC after playing for the Chicago Fire in the 2023 season, where he scored five goals and registered two assists in 27 regular-season appearances.

Kamara played for Columbus in 2006-2007 before moving to San Jose Earthquakes and later Houston Dynamo. 

He then played five seasons with Sporting Kansas City from 2009 to 2013 before returning to the Columbus Crew in 2015.

After tying for the league lead in goals in a record-setting season with Columbus, Kamara played for several teams such as New England Revolution, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Colorado Rapids, Minnesota United FC, and Montréal in 2022.

Kamara played in Europe on loan with Norwich City in 2013 and later signed with Middlesbrough FC in the English Championship. He returned to Europe in 2021 with Finland’s HIFK. 

Internationally, Kamara has made 39 appearances for Sierra Leone, scoring seven goals and registering one assist across all competitions

Barnsley will host Sullay Kaikai's Cambridge United in week forty-one of the English League on Friday at Oakwell Stadium.
by FSL News

Sullay Kaikai’s Cambridge v Barnsley League One preview

Barnsley will host Sullay Kaikai’s Cambridge United in week forty-one of the English League on Friday at Oakwell Stadium.

Sierra Leone International Sullay Kaikai, who won the Player of the Month award for February, last scored against Carlisle United in their 4-0 win in week 34. 

Cambridge United, also known as the U’s, is in the hunt to improve their season with a strong performance against Barnsley, who are currently fifth in the table and looking to strengthen their position.

Cambridge United has lost their last two games and hasn’t won in their last four matches. Therefore, they must avoid defeat in their upcoming game as it will further dampen their supporters’ morale.

In contrast, Barnsley has won their last five league games against Cambridge United, keeping a clean sheet in each of the previous four matches. 

Furthermore, Cambridge United has only won one of their ten away league games against Barnsley. 

Abu Kamara's Portsmouth ready for trip to Wycombe Wanderers
by FSL News

Kamara’s Portsmouth ready for trip to Wycombe Wanderers 

Abu Kamara, a native of Sierra Leone, is set to help his team Portsmouth against Wycombe Wanderers in week forty-one of the English League on Friday. 

John Mousinho’s squad will visit Wycombe on Good Friday for a 3 pm kick-off. If they can secure 13 points from the seven remaining fixtures, Portsmouth will guarantee themselves a place in the Championship. 

Abu Kamara, on loan from Norwich, has done exceptionally well in his first full season in senior football with the league leaders. 

He has scored eight goals and played in every League One match for Pompey this season. 

Wycombe Wanderers have only won 1 of their last six games against Portsmouth, failing to score in 3 matches. Portsmouth has lost 3 of their last five games at Wycombe, failing to score in those defeats. 

The home side have lost just 1 of their last ten home games, keeping four clean sheets in their last five matches at Adams Park. 

Portsmouth has not lost any of their last eight games on Good Friday, scoring 16 goals overall.

Sierra Leone mourns one of its greatest Lamin Bangura
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone mourns Lamin Bangura one of its greatest

Ports Authority head coach Lamin Bangura, one of Sierra Leone’s greatest footballers of all time, has sadly passed away following a tragic road accident on Tuesday. 

The late Bangura was a successful coach and player in West Africa, winning titles in Guinea and Sierra Leone. He suffered fatal injuries that ultimately led to his death. Several players and officials are currently in critical condition after a serious accident. 

“On March 25th, 2024, the team departed from Freetown en route to Kenema for a Premier League match between Kanhula Rangers and Port Authority. Unfortunately, while traveling along Konta Line Mile 91, their bus collided with a stationary vehicle, resulting in the tragic loss of a beloved football legend,” Ports Authority confirmed. 

Bangura helped Sierra Leone qualify for Tunisia AFCON 1996 and played for the team in AFCON 1994 and 1996. He also played a key role in As Kaloum’s CAF Clubs Cup final 1995.

The former ASEC Mimosas Abidjan defender was a crucial figure in guiding the Diamond Stars to their first Premier League title in 2012. It was the first Sierra Leonean club outside Freetown to win the league.

“I write with pain upon hearing the sudden death of one of our national football heroes, Coach Lamin Bangura, together with the bus driver and conductor.

Coach Lamin, you have done a lot for the growth of football in Sierra Leone as a player and coach. You represented the country, coached the National U23, and won the 2012 Sierra Leone Premier League with Diamond Stars. Your diligence is admirable,” SLFA’s boss, Thomas Brima

“We extend our deepest condolences to the club, families, and friends of those who lost their lives, including the head coach, Lamin Bangura. Our hearts go out to you all,” The Sierra Leone FA stated

“The Board extends its sympathy to all individuals impacted by this incident. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time,” the Sierra Leone Premier Board noted.

The league board announced the cancellation of the Kahunla Rangers and Ports Authority scheduled match on 27th March 2024 due to an unfortunate event.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ports Authority FC and the family of Head Coach Lamin Bangura. May his soul rest in peace. East End Lions FC stands in solidarity with Ports Authority FC. Our condolences go out to all who knew and loved Coach Bangura,” EE Lions posted.

“Your kindness and love touched us deeply, and your departure has left a void that cannot be filled. We will miss you dearly,” Freetown City FC.

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia, and South Sudan progress to AFCON 2025 group stage
by FSL News

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia & South Sudan progress to group stage 

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia, and South Sudan progressed to the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after achieving successful results in the second legs on Tuesday.

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia, and South Sudan will now join the 44 exempted countries for the group stage of the qualifiers. The quartet will be eager to continue their journey towards securing a spot in the prestigious tournament in Morocco.

Eswatini drew 2-2 with Somalia in a crucial match but still advanced with a 5-2 aggregate score thanks to their 3-0 victory in the first leg.

Mauritius 1-2 Chad

In a tense football match at the National Sports Complex Pitch 1 in Saint Pierre, Mauritius faced Chad. Jeremy Villeneuve scored a goal in the 45th minute, giving Mauritius hope, but Chad responded fiercely. Charles Tchouplaou levelled the score in the 74th minute, and Ousmane Hassan sealed Chad’s victory with a goal deep into stoppage time, securing their advancement with a 3-1 aggregate score.

In Monrovia’s Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, Liberia and Djibouti played a goalless draw. Despite failing to score in the second leg, Liberia advanced to the next round with a 2-0 aggregate score, thanks to their victory in the first leg.

In Berkane, Morocco, South Sudan and their opponent battled to a goalless draw at the Stade Municipal de Berkane. 

As the aggregate score was tied at 1-1, South Sudan advanced to the next round based on the away goals rule. They had secured a crucial away goal in the first leg, which ultimately made the difference.

Wealdstone boss David Nobel hails Kallum Cesay after debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Wealdstone boss Nobel hails Kallum Cesay after debut

Wealdstone Football Club announced in February that they had signed Sierra Leone International Kallum Cesay on a permanent deal.

The former Tottenham youngster made his official debut for Wealdstone on Saturday in a 1-1 draw against Kidderminster Harriers. 

Although the Stones took the lead during first-half stoppage time through in-form Max Kretzschmar, a late goal from Ash Hemmings rescued a point for the Harriers. 

Head coach David Nobel was impressed with Kallum Cesay’s input in the game, describing him as ‘solid’ in his first senior game.

According to Noble, “He was exceptional. You saw what a fit boy he is by the amount of times he overlapped in the first half. He looked solid defensively on what was his first game in senior football.” 

Wealdstone will return to action on Tuesday evening when they travel to the J Davidson Stadium to face Altrincham in a 7.45 pm kick-off.

CAF workshop on improving Stadium infrastructure
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF workshop on improving Stadium infrastructure

CAF is hosting a stadium inspectors workshop in Rabat, Morocco, to monitor African infrastructure.

Investment in football infrastructure in Africa – building and maintenance of stadiums in the countries that are part of the 54 CAF Member Associations, is a key focus for the CAF Leadership.

Already commenced on Monday, the workshop in Morocco will continue till Wednesday, and the participants will undergo various theoretical and practical activities. They will also be taken for stadium visits accompanied by designated CAF Departmental Heads.

The workshop was inaugurated by Mr Fouzi Lekjaa, the President of Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) and a CAF Executive Committee Member. He emphasized the importance of investing in world-class infrastructure and maintaining the facilities.

To ensure that African clubs and Member Associations can host CAF events, the CAF conducts a Stadium Inspectors Workshop to train stadium inspectors appointed by the CAF.

These inspectors will guide the African clubs and Member Associations in complying with the CAF Stadium Regulations (edition 2022).