Category: Sport News

Bo Rangers win maiden Sierra Leone Community Shield
by David Lebbie

Bo Rangers beat Blackpool to lift Community Shield

Ten-man Bo Rangers defeated Mighty Blackpool to start the 2023/24 season with silverware as they bookmarked their third accolade in two seasons after a back-to-back Sierra Leone Premier League title. 

Skipper Saidu Bah Kamara scored a 55th-minute close-range header to give Bo Rangers their first silverware – the Sierra Leone Community Shield as they defeated Western giant Mighty Blackpool on Saturday.

In a parked Southern Areana in Bo City, the goal came through Abass Kamara’s perfect set piece at the edge of the Tis Tas boy’s penalty box, converted by Kamara in the second half.

Rangers defender Eshike Kamara was sent off for a reckless challenge on Blackpool forward in the 67th minute. However, Rangers held on with a classic performance.

Assistant Coach Kabineh Kamara was pleased with his performance and attitude towards the victory.

“We are all excited about the victory becasue it was a difficult match, but we planned and prepared for the win. Blackpool is a very good side and we as defending champions, we must always find a way to win against the best teams.”

On leading his side to the victory, Kabineh stated, “It is a record and big achievement that has been added to my career and the team as well.”

The head coach of Mighty Blackpool, Alusine Bala Kargbo, appreciated his team’s performance despite the defeat.

“Bo Rangers is a team that is returning from continental competition (CAF Champions League) holding them this way shows how solid our team is.”

Coach Kargbo also noted that his side was without five starting players. However, they introduced five new players in Today’s match as they continued the rebuilding process.

The Sierra Leone Community Sheild contest will be a traditional curtain-raiser between the Premier League winner and Riunners-Up every season ahead of a new campaign.

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Bo Rangers and Mighty Blackpool at the Southern Arena for the Community Shield on Saturday
Bo Rangers and Mighty Blackpool at the Southern Arena for the Community Shield on Saturday
Kamil Conteh's Grimsby Town fall to fourth straight defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kamil Conteh’s Grimsby Town fall to fourth straight defeat

Sierra Leone International Kamil Conteh was in action as his League Two side, Grimsby Town, suffered an away defeat to Doncaster Rovers at the Eco-Power Stadium on Saturday.

After a goalless fierst half, Joe Ironside scored a second-half penalty for what proved to be the only goal of the game.

It was a fourth consecutive Sky Bet League Two defeat for Grimsby Town, leaving them four points from the releagtion zone.

Grimsby Town will now turn their attention to the FA Cup and a trip to face Slough Town on Sunday, November 5.

Since his move from Middlesborough to Town, Conteh, 20, has made sisteen appearnces in all comtitoon for the Mariners. 

“We’ve looked at data and performances over six weeks so it’s not a snap decision,” said chair Jason Stockwood.

Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside he added: “We’ve been talking at length for the past two weeks in particular. The performances haven’t been bad but there’s something which isn’t in the data which tells us that we’re not getting the rub of the green, so we feel like it’s time to turn the page.

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John Kamara nets first Egaleo's League goal in the draw 
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

John Kamara nets first Egaleo’s League goal

Experienced Sierra Leone International midfielder John Kamara recorded his first Super League second-tier goal in Egaleo‘s 1-1 draw against Athens Kallithea on Saturday.

Kamara’s goal came in the 56th minute to cancel out the visitor’s opener from Panagiotis Kynigopoulous in the 48th minute. 

The veteran defensive midfielder was making his fifth appearance for Egaleo this campaign, having extended his contract in September. 

Kamara joined Egaleo last January and has been a pivotal player for the club. He made eleven appearances for the club, helping them avoid relegation as they finished tenth last season.

The draw moved Egaleo up to ninth on the league table after week five of the season. 

Egaleo’s next outing in the Greek Super League Two is an away trip to Panathinaikos B on the 5th of November.

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John Kamara nets first Egaleo's League goal in Saturday's draw
John Kamara nets first Egaleo's League goal in Saturday's draw
Champions Rangers take on Blackpool in the season's curtain raiser
by David Lebbie

Champions Rangers take on Blackpool in season’s curtain-raiser

Reigning champions Bo Rangers and runners-up Mighty Blackpool battle for the first silverware of the season in Sierra Leone football (The Community Shield), a curtain raiser ahead of the new Leone Rock Premier League 2023/24 campaign.

Southern Arena is the venue for the cracker between the Southern Province side and Western Area giant on Saturday in Bo City – kick-off time at 19 hours local time.

Bo Rangers won the league unbeaten last season as they’ll be hoping to start the season with a silverware by overcoming their rival Mighty Blackpool, who were last season’s eventual runners-up.

The champions will be without last season’s head coach, Alhaji Abedi Foray, whose contract mutually terminated following his national coaching appointment.

New Rangers head John Keister will start his new role on 1st Nov 2023 but will be on the stands as an observer.

Speaking to this medium, Ranger’s media office. Solomon Demby said they started preparation last Wednesday. New winger 𝐁𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 from Kamboi Eagles could make his Bo Rangers debut.

“The Shield will be a boost to our silverware as it is one of the trophies we are yet to win.” Bo Rangers take anything trophy seriously.” He continued, our newly appointed Head Coach will watch the game from the stand. We have brought in new players to make sure we do what we want to do.”

Ibrahim S Sankoh, head of media Mighty Blackpool, is optimistic ahead of facing the champions in this season’s Shield tussle.

“We are determined to go and make history against Bo Rangers, winning this Charity Shield will make us the first on record to do so and against a team that went unbeaten last season.”

Bo Rangers have won two and recorded a draw as the Tis tas Boys managed a win in their last four competitive meetings.

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Champions Rangers take on Blackpool in the season's curtain raiser
Champions Rangers take on Blackpool in the season's curtain raiser
ACV Assen midfielder Ibrahim Sillah reflects after Sierra Leone duty
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Assen midfielder Ibrahim Sillah reflects after Sierra Leone duty 

ACV Assen midfielder Ibrahim Sillah, who made his Sierra Leone debut against Togo on 24 March 2022 in an International friendly in Turkey, has been speaking out about the recent International call-up.

He was named in coach Amidu Karim’s squad for International matches in the 1-1 draw against Benin and the 2-0 triumph of Somalia in Morocco earlier this month.

The Kickers Emden player, who has won five caps with Sierra Leone, was pleased as he sat with Dutch media dvhn.nl sport to give an account. 

“Eight million people are living in Sierra Leone. Of these, Twenty players (25) have been selected for the national football team during the Fifa calender in October,” he told DVHN.nl sport.

“I am one of them. I’m proud of that. I dreamed of this as a child but never expected to achieve this, my parents would have been proud of me, but they’re gone.”

Since his return to the Dutch side, Sillah, 28, has been pivotal in making eight appearances in this campaign. 

The midfielder is hoping he has impressed enough to be selected for World Cup qualifying matches against Ethiopia and Egypt on November 15 and 19, respectively. 

The Leone Stars’ journey to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023.

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Sierra Leone line-up friendlies for World Cup qualifiers
by David Lebbie

Sierra Leone up two places in latest Fifa ranking

The Sierra Leone national team have moved up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking announced on Thursday.

The Leone Stars had a successful trip in Morocco during the Fifa window, having played to a 1-1 draw against Benin on October 14th before defeating Somalia 2-0 in a recent training camp in Morocco three days later.

Coach Amidu Karim’s side will start their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Ethiopia at the Mohamed V Sports Complex in Casablanca on 15th November before hosting the Pharoah of Egypt in the Liberian Capital on 19 November 2023.

In Africa, Sierra Leone ranked 32nd best side as Morocco remains Africa’s number one nation, as well as maintaining 13th in the world ranking.

Senegal is second in Africa and occupies the 20th place in the world. Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Ivory Coast and Burkina-Faso are the top ten teams.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, National News and Fifa ranking News. 

Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking
Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking
Global top 10 - Argentina (1st) maintain a healthy lead (8.18 points) over their closest challengers, France
Global top 10 - Argentina (1st) maintain a healthy lead (8.18 points) over their closest challengers, France
2026 World Cup Qualifying Groups Africa Zone Opponents Group A Sierra Leone, Egypt, Burkina-Faso Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, Djibouti
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

World Cup Q: Ethiopia to host Sierra Leone in Morocco

The Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca will host Sierra Leone’s 2026 World Cup opening qualifier against the Walia Ibex of Ethiopia on Wednesday, 15th of November 2023, the SLFA have announced.

The Leone Stars’ second match in the race to the USA, Mexico and Canada is against the Pharaohs of Egypt. The tie is set to be played in the Liberian Capital, Monrovia, on Sunday, 19th November 2023.

Group A comprised of Egypt, Burkina-Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. 

During the 2022 World Cup preliminary, Liberia eliminated Sierra Leone 3-2 on aggregate after the Lone Star won the first leg 3-1 and suffered a 1-0 defeat in Freetown, both matches played in September 2019.

Sierra Leone played to a 1-1 draw against Benin on October 14th before defeating Somalia 2-0 in a recent training camp in Morocco three days later.

However, with the latest format of 48 teams competing with a minimum of nine African sides guaranteed places for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many Sierra Leoneans believe this is Leone Stars’ best chance ever.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted in three countries, Canada, Mexico and the United States. 

The nine groups will play a home and away, starting in November this year. They will take place over ten matchdays during the next two years: 13-21 November 2023 – 3-11 June 2024; 17-25 March 2025; 1-9 September 2025; 6-14 October 2025; 10-18 November 2025 (Playoffs).

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net. National News.

Sierra Leone confirm 2026 World Qualifying dates and venues
Sierra Leone confirm 2026 World Qualifying dates and venues
Mustapha Bundu opens Plymouth Argyle Championship account
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu opens Plymouth Argyle Championship account

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu opened his English Championship account in Plymouth Argyle 3-0 over Sheffield Wednesday.

Argyle manager Steven Schumacher handed Bundu his first start after he made just two changes from the weekend draw at West Brom, captain Joe Edwards returning for Mickel Miller and a first start for Bundu in place of Hardie.

Mustapha Bundu accounted for their first in the 44th minute as Argyle returned to winning ways. Morgan Whittaker doubled the host lead in first-half stoppage time.

“It’s up there in the top two or top three,” Bundu told BBC Sport.“It was an amazing feeling, the whole situation, my first start at home in front of the fans, in a game where we weren’t really on top.

“To get that free-kick and to score and give everyone a breather was nice.”

Ryan Hardie scored the highest third as he completed the win with a low right-footed finish in the second half after Finn Azaz had dispossessed George Byers and played the Scottish striker in.

The win is Argyle’s first in five games to lift them to 18th place in the Championship table as winless Wednesday remain bottom with three points from their first 13 games.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net, Players Abroad News.

Tonight's player of the match as selected by match sponsors Adrenalin Leisure, is Mustapha Bundu.
Tonight's player of the match as selected by match sponsors Adrenalin Leisure, is Mustapha Bundu.
Foreign scouts visit Sierra Leone football chief Daddy Brima.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Foreign scouts visit Sierra Leone football chief Daddy Brima

On Tuesday, International football scouts who were in Sierra Leone to witness the U17 and U19 talent Detection tournament organised by Star Sports Academy paid a courtesy call to the Sierra Leone football chief, Thomas Daddy Brima.

In a bid to expand the International football relationship, the Sierra Leone Football Association President, Daddy Brima, engaged the scouts from Türkiye, Slovakia, Sudan and Bulgaria at the FA secretariat.

President Brima was pleased and described their visit as ” timely and impactful towards the growth and development of players in the country.”

He further assured them of the Sierra Leone Football Association’s unreserved support and cooperation throughout their scouting activities within the country.

Meanwhile, Eight of the sixteen teams that participated were from outside Sierra Leone. Academy GFI from Guinea emerged as the Detection tournament champions held at the Southern Arena in Bo following a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Star Sports Academy of Sierra Leone.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone and National News. 

Academy GFI from Guinea emerged as the Detection tournament champions held at the Southern Arena in Bo following a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Star Sports Academy of Sierra Leone.
Academy GFI from Guinea emerged as the Detection tournament champions held at the Southern Arena in Bo following a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Star Sports Academy of Sierra Leone.
Al Ahly beat Simba to set Sundowns African Football League date
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly eliminate Simba to set Sundowns African Football League date

On Tuesday, Al Ahly eliminated Tanzania Simba to set a date with South African Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals of the African Champions League.

After a 2-2 draw in Tanzania, the Egyptian giants emerged victorious on an away goal rule as they booked their place in the inaugural African Football League (AFL) semifinals. The first leg match had ended 1-1 at Cairo International.

Sundowns of South Africa, on the other hand, confirmed their semifinal spot with a goalless draw after they played most of the tie with a man down against th Petro Atletico on Tuesday.

They won the first leg 2-0 away and will play Egyptian side Al-Ahly in Sunday’s first-leg semis match. 

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