Category: Sport News

David Sesay nets a stunner as Eastbourne Borough beat Taunton Town
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

David Sesay nets a stunner as Eastbourne beat Taunton Town

Eastbourne Borough defeated Taunton Town 2-0 in the National League South on Saturday, with Sierra Leone International David Sesay being instrumental in the victory.

David Sesay’s stunning strike gave the Sports the lead at the break, with Yahya Bamba’s late goal wrapping up all three points at Priory Lane.

Adam Murray’s side is now just three points from National League South safety with eight games to go.

In the first half, the visitors came close to scoring when Nat Jarvis hit the post and then Seb Bolton before going over. 

The Sports took the lead just before half-time with an excellent goal from Sesay. 

In the second half, Borough sealed the win in stoppage time with a goal from Yahya Bamba.

Born in Brent, Sesay joined Watford in 2007, turning professional in June 2016. Last season, he made 35 appearances for Weymouth and scored twice, having played an integral role in helping them escape relegation on the final day of last season.

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CAF Launches CLOP System for MA's Top-tier Men’s Competitions
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Launches CLOP System for MA’s Top-tier Men’s Competitions

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has introduced a new system called the “Club Licensing System” for the top-tier men’s competitions of its member associations. This new system will ensure that the clubs meet the required standards in areas such as management, infrastructure, legal, financial and sporting aspects.

The CAF Club Licensing Online Platform (CLOP) has recently completed its pilot phase with great success. As a result, CAF is proud to announce the extension of this revolutionary initiative to all top-tier men’s club competitions across all 54 Member Associations.

The CLOP system is a cutting-edge electronic tool designed by CAF to streamline and oversee club licensing and stadium inspections for both domestic and continental competitions.

Through this platform, every Member Association is now equipped with a fully automated and electronic club licensing process. This allows clubs to easily archive and submit their club licensing documents virtually for CAF Club Interclub competitions.

In line with CAF’s goal of developing football across the continent, the system will now be extended to all Member Associations to implement within their domestic top-tier club competitions.

Under Article 64 of the CAF Men’s Club Licensing Regulations (edition 2022), the system will focus on implementing domestic club licensing criteria for men’s top-tier national club competitions across all 54 Member Associations.

With this initiative, CAF is paving the way towards a more efficient and transparent football landscape across the continent. By implementing this system, CAF is ensuring fair play and safety for all involved in football, from fans to clubs and players alike.

Napoli confirm Victor Osimhen's omission from Nigeria's friendlies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Napoli confirm Victor Osimhen’s omission from Nigeria’s friendlies

Napoli has confirmed that Victor Osimhen will not be playing in Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against Ghana’s Black Stars and the Eagles of Mali. 

This is because Napoli, the club he plays for, has confirmed that he is not yet fully fit to play. Osimhen has been dealing with fitness issues and started on the bench during a crucial Serie A match against Inter Milan on Sunday.

According to Napoli coach Francesco Calzona, Osimhen has an inflammation of the scar from an old injury, and he hasn’t been given a clean bill of health to start playing football. 

As a result, Napoli won’t release him for Nigeria’s next friendly matches. The club is taking precautionary measures to avoid worsening his injury, so Osimhen has missed some training sessions and only participated in partial workouts with his teammates during the week.

The Super Eagles will play Ghana’s Black Stars and the Eagles of Mali in international friendlies in Morocco. 

Meanwhile, Napoli is struggling this season and having Osimhen around for their next matches against Atalanta could make a huge difference in the team’s pursuit of European football next season. However, his involvement in the game was uncertain due to an inflammation of a scar from a previous injury.

𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 stun Lions as Kallon thrash Ports Authority
by FSL News

Bhantal stun Lions as Kallon thrash Ports Authority

Bhantal FC and FC Kallon secured wins in the eighteenth week of the Sierra Leone Premier League at the newly renovated Sierra Leone Football Association playing field in Kingtom, Freetown.

Kallon moved to the second spot a point ahead of Bhantal, whose last-gasp winner stunned East End Lions. 

On Friday, Bhantal FC made an impressive comeback to secure a crucial 2-1 victory against East End Lions FC. Mohamed Bangura and Mohamed A. Kamara were the standout performers for the visiting team.

East End Lions FC took the lead in the 59th minute, putting Bhantal FC on the back foot. However, Bhantal FC rallied strongly in the second half, showing resilience and determination.

Mohamed Bangura scored for Bhantal in the 80th minute, leading to an intense finish. In the 94th minute, Mohamed A. Kamara secured three vital points for Bhantal FC with a winning goal.

On Saturday, FC Kallon proved too strong for the Ports Authority, scoring five goals against their opponent. Goals from Momoh Lapo Dumbuya, Abu Bakarr Aziz Jalloh, Mamoud Fofanah, Julius Goba, and Yakuba Koroma were more than enough for the Cavaliers as they recorded a 5-0 win. 

Both wins underlined Bhantal and Kallon’s determination in the chase for the Leone Rock Premier League title.

Luawa played to a 1-1 draw with Real Republicans as Bai Bureh Warriors share a goalless draw with Kholifa Stars at the Magburaka playing venue. 

Saturday's Sierra Leone Premier League results
Saturday's Sierra Leone Premier League results
Mjøndalen's adventure for striker Alie Conteh in Norway
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mjøndalen’s adventure for striker Alie Conteh in Norway 

Alie Conteh, a Sierra Leonean footballer, has secured work and residence permits to play for Mjøndalen in the 2024 season.

Mjøndalen competes in Obos Ligaen, the second tier in the Norwegian football league system.

The former FC Kallon and East End Lions striker was on trial with the team this summer and impressed immediately, even scoring two goals in an internal game.

The nineteen-year-old, who is a centre-forward, arrived in Norway on Friday and is ready to start training with his new teammates. 

Conteh is mainly a centre-forward but can also play in both wing roles. Head coach Kevin Nicol is also delighted to have the nineteen-year-old join the team. 

While other European clubs were interested, Conteh chose Mjøndalen. 

Head coach Kevin Nicol is delighted to have the fast player with excellent heading skills, who can also play in both wing roles. The team has high hopes for him.

Ghana's Mohammed Kudus nets brace as West Ham reach quarter-finals
by FSL News

Ghana’s Kudus nets brace as West Ham reach quarter-finals

West Ham had a fantastic evening as they advanced to the Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-1 aggregate win over Freiburg, thanks in part to a stunning double from Ghanaian International, Mohammed Kudus.

After losing the first leg in Germany 1-0, West Ham wasted no time in overturning the deficit, with Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen both scoring in the first 32 minutes. Aaron Cresswell extended West Ham’s lead further just after half-time.

Then Kudus delivered two exquisite strikes. First, he picked up the ball in his half and beat three defenders before scoring. He then rifled the ball home from the edge of the box after a lay-off from Bowen, making it five for West Ham.

The draws for the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place at 13:00 CET on Friday 15 March.

David Kalokoh features in Jong Ajax's win over De Graafschap
by FSL News

David Kalokoh features in Jong Ajax’s win over De Graafschap

David Kalokoh, a football player from Sierra Leone, played a crucial role in Jong Ajax’s 2-0 victory against De Graafschap in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie on Monday, 11 March 2024. 

Jaydon Banel and Nassef Chourak scored in the 62nd and 98th minutes, respectively, securing their eighth win in 30 games for the season.

This win followed a string of defeats to NAC Breda, ADO Den Haag, SC Telstar, and TOP Oss, making it their first win in five matches. 

Kalokoh, an 18-year-old left-winger, was subbed off in the 86th minute. 

He has signed a new deal with Ajax, extending his stay until June 30, 2027.

Kalokoh was born in Sierra Leone and moved to Venlo, where he played with VV Vos for six years before joining VVV Venlo. At 13 years old, he came to Amsterdam to train with AFC Ajax. 

He signed his first professional contract with Ajax at the age of 15 in March 2021 and played in the UEFA Youth League in 2022.

Kalokoh made his Eerste Divisie debut on 28 April 2023, playing against his former club, VVV Venlo.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Players Abroad News and David Kalokoh News.

SPAIN U17 WOMEN'S WINNERS OF 2022 EDITION
by FSL News

Morocco to Host The Next Five U-17 Women’s World Cup

Morocco has been selected to host the next five editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The FIFA Council made this decision on Thursday, March 14, 2024, after expanding the tournament to 24 teams and making it an annual event. 

Previously held every two years, the tournament will now provide a more frequent platform for young female footballers to display their talents on a global level.

Morocco emerged as the preferred candidate after a worldwide bidding process, thanks to its existing football infrastructure. 

FIFA highlighted the importance of infrastructure and sustainability in the selection process. 

“These two countries were chosen following a worldwide call for bids, one of the key criteria being the use of existing soccer infrastructures for logistical efficiency and sustainability,” the statement read.

The men’s U-17 World Cup will also change, with an expansion to 48 teams and an annual schedule.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Players Abroad News and Africa football News. 

Morocco emerged as the preferred candidate after a worldwide bidding process, thanks to its existing football infrastructure.
Morocco emerged as the preferred candidate after a worldwide bidding process, thanks to its existing football infrastructure.
CAF Confederation Cup's last eight fixtures revealed
by FSL News

CAF Confederation Cup’s last eight fixtures revealed

The quarter-final line-up for the CAF Confederation Cup has been confirmed, with matches set to be played in March and April this year.

Egyptian teams Zamalek and Modern Future have made it to the quarter-finals of the 2023 CAF Confederation Cup. 

Zamalek finished top of group B unbeaten, while Modern Future came second in group A. Unfortunately, the draw pitted the two teams against each other. 

The winner will face either Stade Malien or Ghana’s Dreams FC in the semi-finals. In contrast, Libya’s Abu Salim will face RS Berkane and Nigerian side Rivers United will face USM Alger in the other quarter-final ties.

Stade Malien, champions in the 2009 edition, have made it to the competition’s knockout stages once again.

They hope to win their second title and will face Dreams FC from Ghana. Dreams FC will be looking to cause an upset against their more fancied opponent.

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-Final Draw Outcome: 

   29 – 31 March 2024:

  QF 1 | Modern Future (EGY) vs Zamalek (EGY)

  QF 2 | Abu Salem (LBY) vs RS Berkane (MAR) 

  QF 3 | Rivers United (NGR) vs USM Alger (ALG)

  QF 4 | Stade Malien (MLI) vs Dreams FC (GHA)

   05 – 07 April 2024:

  QF 1 | Zamalek (EGY) vs Modern Future (EGY)

  QF 2 | RS Berkane (MAR) vs Abu Salem (LBY)

  QF 3 | USM Alger (ALG) vs Rivers United (NGR)

  QF 4 | Dreams FC (GHA) vs Stade Malien (MLI)

 Semi-Final Draw Outcome: 

  QF 3 Winner vs QF 2 Winner 

  QF 1 Winner vs QF 4 Winner 

  Semi-Finals Dates to be communicated in due course. 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 African News.

Quarter-finals for CAF Champions League 2024 Confirmed
by FSL News

Quarter-finals for CAF Champions League 2024 Confirmed

The journey for this year’s CAF Champions League quarter-finals has been mapped out as the official draw was held in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday.

Simba, the Tanzanian giants, are set to meet Al Ahly in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League after the latest draw.

The Red Devils advanced to the knockout stages by finishing first in Group D with 12 points from six games.

The defending champions are set to face a challenging journey to the final, beginning with a quarter-final match against Simba.

The first leg is scheduled to take place on March 29th in Tanzania, just eight days before the second leg in Cairo.

If the champions emerge victorious against Simba, they will face the winner between Petro Atletico and TP Mazembe in the next round.

In the meantime, Mamelodi Sundowns will be up against Young Africans, who finished second behind Al Ahly in the group stage.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals Draw Outcome:

First Leg: 29 – 30 March 2024

QF 1 | Simba FC (TAN) vs Al Ahly SC (EGY)

QF 2 | TP Mazembe (DRC) vs Atletico de Petroleos (ANG)

QF 3 | Esperance Sportive de Tunis (TUN) vs Asec Mimosas (CIV)

QF 4 | Young Africans (TAN) vs Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)

Second Leg: 05 – 06 April 2024

QF 1 | Al Ahly SC (EGY) vs Simba FC (TAN)

QF 2 | Atletico de Petroleos (ANG) vs TP Mazembe (DRC)

QF 3 | vs Asec Mimosas (CIV) vs Esperance Sportive de Tunis (TUN)

QF 4 | Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs Young Africans (TAN) 

 Semi-Final Draw Outcome:

SF 1: QF 3 Winner vs QF 4 Winner

SF 2: QF 2 Winner vs QF 1 Winner

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 African News.