Category: Sport News

Bo District Football Academy Owners Hold Dialogue meeting
by David Lebbie

Bo District Academy Owners Hold Dialogue Meeting

Over the weekend, owners of football academies in Bo District held a day-long consultative meeting at Box Point on Fenton Road. 

The purpose of the meeting was to strategize and find ways to foster the development of football, especially at the grassroots level in Bo and Sierra Leone as a whole.

Alhaji Mustapha Shariff, the visionary initiator and CEO of Kortugboma Academy, emphasized the importance of the meeting, stating that they are working on a plan to reform their operations and existence so that there will be continuity regardless of what happens in the future. 

He further explained that football in Sierra Leone has taken different dimensions, and for Bo to succeed, it has to seize the opportunity by laying the foundation for grassroots football. The success in that area will be an indicator of their future.

Mark 10, who also spoke at the meeting, revealed that they have recently completed the U-12 & U-14 league within Bo District, where numerous academies participated. They are now working on ways to bring all of them under a single body. Alhaji noted that in the not-too-distant future, they will set up their association to regulate their affairs. He refused to confirm the name of the association but promised to do so after the next meeting.

Chrenoh Van Bah, the Coordinator of the Southern Region Football Association, expressed his enthusiasm, saying that this is the first time in the history of Bo football to see the formation of a grassroots football association. 

With the help of Alhaji Mustapha Shariff, the district and regional football associations are poised to develop grassroots football. He continued that many have put their time and resources into this game, and with the collaborative effort of all, they will take this dream to every corner of the Southern Region.

The newly appointed Technical Director of football in the Southern Region, Patrick Uzoh, applauded the academy owners and promised to cascade it to other areas within the region.

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AFCON 2023 top scorer Emilio Nsue suspended for 'indiscipline'
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

AFCON top scorer Emilio Nsue suspended for Indiscipline

Equatorial Guinea’s football federation has suspended Emilio Nsue, the country’s striker, indefinitely for his alleged involvement in “several episodes of serious indiscipline” during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Although Nsue finished as the top scorer at the finals with five goals in four outings, Equatorial Guinea were knocked out in the last 16. In addition to Nsue, midfielder Iban Salvador, who plays for National Thunder, has also been suspended.

The federation (Feguifut) stated that Salvador had been involved in an “unpleasant incident” in Abidjan on 29 January, the day after the team’s 1-0 defeat by Guinea, which saw them exit the tournament. Feguifut added that Ivorian police had to intervene, and the incident delayed the squad’s return to Equatorial Guinea.

Nsue, who is the all-time top international scorer for his country with 22 goals, was in Abidjan on Sunday to collect the golden boot following Ivory Coast’s victory over Nigeria in the Nations Cup final. He currently plays for Intercity and has previously played for Birmingham City and Middlesbrough.

The National Thunder’s next competitive fixtures will be in June, which is when two 2026 World Cup qualifiers are scheduled.

Abu Kamara seals Portsmouth's win over Cambridge United
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara seals Portsmouth’s win over Cambridge United

Sierra Leone native Abu Kamara scored again as Portsmouth maintained their lead at the top of League One with a come-from-behind victory over Cambridge United.

The team’s 3-1 victory kept the six-point gap to second place in the League One standings unchanged.

The visiting team unexpectedly took the lead just before half-time when Danny Andrew headed in Sullay Kaikai’s corner kick, which was deemed to have crossed the line at the near post.

However, on 44 minutes, Kusini Yengi, who had returned to the starting line-up, was fouled in the box. The Australian striker picked himself up and converted from the penalty spot, sending the U’s goalkeeper Jack Stevens the wrong way.

Just before the hour mark, the game was turned around when Yengi and Paddy Lane combined down the left to set up Myles Peart-Harris, on loan from Brentford, to score his first goal for the Pompey club, with a low finish.

In the dying minutes of the game, Lane’s charge-down found Abu Kamara in space on the right side of the field, and the Norwich City loanee curled in a superb angled shot that went past Stevens and hit the underside of the crossbar before going in. This was Kamara’s sixth goal of the season.

Pompey’s fifth victory in six games was their first consecutive home win since October. However, the only concern for boss John Mousinho was midfielder Tom Lowery’s apparent hamstring injury in the first half.

The U’s have only won one of their last five games and are currently four points above the relegation zone.

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

Isaac Babadi nets first-ever Eredivisie goal in PSV win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Isaac Babadi nets first-ever Eredivisie goal in PSV win

Attacking winger, Isaac Babadi scored his first-ever Eredivisie goal in PSV’s 5-1 win over Volendam on Sunday. 

As a result, they strengthened their grip at the top of the table, ten points ahead of Feyenoord. 

Jordan Teze’s own goal had given the visitors the lead in the opening minute, but 12 minutes later, Ismael Saibari equalized before goals from J. Schouten, Jordan Teze, Ricardo Pepi, and Isaac Babadi wrapped up the big away win.

The young sensation joined PSV’s first team for this campaign and made his debut on August 4, 2023, as a starter in the 2023 Johan Cruyff Shield, which PSV won 1-0, giving Babadi his first trophy in his first game. 

Four days later, he made his European debut in a Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz. Babadi opened the scoring in the 4th minute for his first goal for PSV, and the game ended with PSV’s 4-1 victory.

Sierra Leone U20 set for Zonal tournament in Liberia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone U20 set for Zonal tournament in Liberia

Sierra Leone’s National Under-20 Football Team, Shooting Stars, has begun training for the U20 Zonal Tournament in Monrovia, Liberia.

With a 26-man squad, the team is focused on showcasing their talent on the regional stage. The tournament is scheduled from February 17th to February 25th, 2024.

The young talents are undergoing intensive training sessions on a state-of-the-art artificial turf pitch. Experienced coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara is leading the team with the support of SLFA’s Youth Football Coordinator, Alimamy Kurash Conteh.

The tournament presents an opportunity for players to gain invaluable experience and catch the eye of scouts and talent spotters.

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

The tournament is scheduled from February 17th to February 25th, 2024.
The tournament is scheduled from February 17th to February 25th, 2024.
Emerse Fae pleased with Ivory Coast's AFCON achievement
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emerse Fae ecstatic with Ivory Coast’s AFCON achievement

Emerse Fae, who took over from Jean-Louis Gasset, led Cote d’Ivoire’s national football team to their third CAF Africa Cup of Nations title is ecstatic.

The Elephants won the title on home soil after beating Nigeria 2-1 in a packed Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe on Sunday evening.

After the match, Fae spoke to the media and revealed that he was overwhelmed with emotions and couldn’t describe the great feeling of guiding the team to victory.

He said that it was hard to believe that they had come from almost being knocked out to winning the title.

This competition was going to mark his life, he added. Fae also won the Best Coach of the Tournament award for his tactical acumen in guiding the Elephants to the top spot.

He expressed his gratitude to the players for their hard work and to the loyal people of Cote d’Ivoire who supported them throughout the tournament.

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

Sebastien Haller nets winner in Ivory Coast AFCON final win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sebastien Haller nets winner in Ivory Coast AFCON final win 

Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria 2-1 on home soil on Sunday.

Emerse Faé, who played every minute in the Ivory Coast team that finished runners-up to Egypt in 2006, has now won Africa’s biggest prize in just his fourth game as a senior manager.

Sebastien Haller scored the winning goal in the 81st minute, completing a remarkable turnaround for the hosts, who won their third continental title.

Nigeria looked strong in the first half, with captain William Troost-Ekong scoring a goal with a header.

However, Ivory Coast equalised in the second half with a goal from Franck Kessie. The winning goal came from Haller, who turned in Simon Adingra’s cross.

This win sees Ivory Coast joining Nigeria on three Cup of Nations triumphs overall, and they become the first host country to win the AFCON since 2006.

Didier Drogba, who captained the Ivory Coast team that lost to Egypt in 2006, was among the spectators to witness this stunning victory for his country.

Ivory Coast has become the twelfth host nation to win the Nations Cup title. Nigeria will be left to rue their fifth defeat in the showpiece game, and their second in Abidjan after losing to Cameroon in 1984.

Sierra Leone chart football among development objectives
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone chart football among development objectives

During the launch of the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) program in Makeni, Minister of Sports Madam Augusta James-Teima explained that football is taking the lead in enhancing the Government’s Five Game Changers, including feeding Sierra Leone, human capital development, and youth employment.

The SLFA (Sierra Leone Football Association) has initiated the FIFA Football for School Program. As a part of the program, they have trained 50 Physical Education Teachers.

This program aims to make football more accessible to boys and girls across Sierra Leone by including football activities in the country’s school system. The Minister cited the Sierra Leone Football artificial turf projects as a success.

The Minister mentioned that the government is eager to increase the availability of facilities, particularly job opportunities for young individuals. The experts involved in the program will teach at schools and provide additional training to children during after-school hours.

She firmly believes that the ongoing projects will positively impact Sierra Leone and its people. She thinks that children who participate in football at a tender age will develop physically, mentally, emotionally, economically, and socially. Therefore, it is vital to prioritize football at the school level, where players can be introduced to the sport at a very young age and be inspired to become lifelong players. This will enable them to gain a comprehensive understanding of football and ensure the sustainability of the sport itself.

“The government is committed to the growth of sports and is working on putting modalities in place to enhance football participation in the country. Madam James-Teima believes that sport is life and, if done correctly, can make Sierra Leone a developed nation.”

She ended her speech by promising to continue working with the Minister of Basic Education to train children for the future. The government will ensure that what is given for sport in schools is used for sport exclusively.

The SLFA (Sierra Leone Football Association) has initiated the FIFA Football for School Program. As a part of the program, they have provided training to 50 Physical Education Teachers.
The SLFA (Sierra Leone Football Association) has initiated the FIFA Football for School Program. As a part of the program, they have provided training to 50 Physical Education Teachers.
Ronwen Williams hero as South Africa claim AFCON 2023 bronze
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ronwen Williams hero as South Africa claim AFCON 2023 bronze

South Africa defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 6-5 in the penalty shootout to clinch third place in the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

Following a goalless draw in Abidjan, Bafana Bafana secured the bronze medal in the Ivory Coast after Williams saved penalty kicks from Chancel Mbemba and Meschack Elia.

South Africa’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was the hero of the day once again as Bafana Bafana defeated DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Since the game ended goalless, the match went straight to penalties after 90 minutes.

South Africa’s victory at the Nations Cup was their best finish since 2000. During the match, Bafana Bafana’s captain, Ronwen Williams, played a crucial role by saving two spot-kicks during the shootout.

South Africa missed their first penalty kick, causing them to fall behind in the match. However, goalkeeper Williams saved two subsequent penalties, allowing South Africa to secure third place in the competition.

Mbemba had the opportunity to win the match for their team, but Williams made a crucial save, leading to a sudden-death penalty shootout. In the end, Bafana Bafana emerged victorious.

Mustapha Bundu's Plymouth in the hunt for three straight win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu’s Plymouth in the hunt for three straight wins

If selected by manager Ian Foster, the Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu will be hoping to help his team, Plymouth Argyle, as they take on Sunderland in their Sky Bet Championship fixture at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, February 10th at 3 pm.

Plymouth are targeting to register their first league double over Sunderland since the 1991-92 campaign and their third straight league win.

Bundu, 26, has featured in fifteen matches in all competitions since joining the Pilgrims last September. 

The two sides previously met in November at Home Park, where Argyle managed to take the lead with Morgan Whittaker’s brilliant strike from outside the area, followed by Finn Azaz’s goal before the halftime whistle. The score remained unchanged till the end of the match.

However, Sunderland has won 11 out of their 15 home league games against Plymouth Argyle, with a win ratio of 73%.

Also, Sunderland is the only Championship team yet to see a home league game ending in a draw this season. 

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