Category: Sport News

Sierra Leone U17 in Group B against Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea
by Football Sierra Leone

U17 qualifiers: Sierra Leone to meet Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea in Group B

Sierra Leone has been drawn into Group B for the upcoming WAFU-A Zonal Tournament, which serves as the qualifying competition for the prestigious 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (U-17) football championship.

In this competitive group, Sierra Leone will face off against formidable opponents, including Senegal, Mauritania, and Guinea, in Group B.

Group A includes Mali, Liberia, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau, competing to qualify for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, with the top teams advancing to the tournament.

The tournament is set to take place from October 3 to October 18, 2025. Matches will be held at three key venues in Mali, which include: Stade Mamadou Konaté in Bamako, renowned for its modern facilities and capacity to host large crowds.

Stade Ouezzin Coulibaly, also located in Bamako, is known for its vibrant atmosphere during local and international matches.

Stade Mamadou Diarra H in Koulikoro, which offers a unique setting for both players and fans alike.

This tournament is crucial for these young athletes, as their performance could secure a spot in the continental competition, showcasing their talent on a larger stage and providing valuable experience in international football.

Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho nets on Celtic debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho nets on Celtic debut

Debutant Kelechi Iheanacho scored for Celtic as they defeated Kilmarnock at Rugby Park 2-1 on Sunday in added time.

Iheanacho, who signed with Celtic on a one-year contract that includes an option for an additional year, earlier this month, has opened his account.

Celtic had the first chance early in the match when Liam Scales received a corner-kick but couldn’t hit the target.

They dominated possession for the first 20 minutes, holding nearly 80 per cent of the ball, but struggled to create clear chances as Kilmarnock defended deep.
Sebastian Tounekti made an impressive debut on the left wing for Celtic. After 30 minutes, he attempted a lob over the Kilmarnock goalkeeper but missed. He later set up Benjamin Nygren, who failed to score, while Cameron Carter-Vickers forced a save from Max Stryjek with a long shot.

Kilmarnock nearly scored early in the second half, but David Watson missed a free-kick opportunity. Celtic took the lead when Daizen Maeda scored a diving header from a Marcelo Saracchi cross. Ten minutes later, Nygren’s shot was blocked.

With 20 minutes left, Kelechi Iheanacho made his debut, replacing Maeda. Though Celtic created chances, they couldn’t add to their lead. Kilmarnock equalised with a header from Watson off a corner with under 10 minutes remaining.

In a dramatic finish, Celtic was awarded a penalty after a VAR handball check. Iheanacho scored with the last kick of the game, securing a 2-1 win and maintaining Celtic’s unbeaten start to the Premiership season.

Sierra Leone's Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Vaasan Palloseura debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Vaasan Palloseura debut

Sierra Leone's young keeper, Mamadou Wurie Jalloh, made his debut with Veikkausliiga side Vaasan Palloseura in their 2-1 win over FC KTP in their battle for survival in Finland.

Sierra Leone’s young keeper, Mamadou Wurie Jalloh, made his debut with Veikkausliiga side Vaasan Palloseura in their 2-1 win over FC KTP in their battle for survival.

Goals from Prosper Ahiabu and Olli Jakonen gave the hosts their two-goal lead before Matias Paavola scored for the visitors in the 62nd minute, but it was too late as they could not recover from the early goals conceded.

Mamadou Jalloh stepped between the posts for the first time and was pleased to represent the VPS shirt.

“A great debut considering the starting points. A ragged week ahead, having just returned from the national team games. He came in very open-minded and brave.

“It’s great to see a young boy come in with a lot of self-confidence, Nuorela rejoices. It was a pleasure to get my professional senior debut at just 18, a big dream came true,” Jalloh expressed after the final whistle.

Striker Daniel Kanu nets to help Walsall draw at Fleetwood Town
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Daniel Kanu nets to help Walsall draw at Fleetwood Town

Sierra Leone international Daniel Kanu scored for Walsall, helping them draw 1-1 with Fleetwood Town at Highbury Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Fleetwood scored first in the game, but Kanu equalised just ten minutes later. This draw extended Walsall’s unbeaten streak to four games across all competitions and marked their first goal against Fleetwood since 2016.

Head Coach Mat Sadler made one change to the team that won against Chesterfield last weekend. Charlie Lakin was suspended, so Courtney Clarke started in midfield.

Walsall had an early chance when Evan Weir’s free kick from 30 yards went over the bar. Fleetwood’s Ryan Graydon rounded Walsall’s keeper Myles Roberts in the 12th minute but was denied by defender Aden Flint. Graydon scored a header from a corner three minutes later.

Walsall equalised in the 25th minute when Flint set up Kanu for a close-range tap-in. They nearly took the lead after Lewis Warrington hit the woodwork with a shot from 25 yards.

Substitute Rico Richards almost scored on his debut, forcing a great save from Fleetwood’s Jay Lynch. Despite their efforts, the match ended in a draw.

Striker Augustine Williams named to USL Player of the Week
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Augustine Williams named to USL Player of the Week

Pittsburgh Riverhounds forward Augi Williams has been named the USL Championship Player of the Week for Week 27 after scoring both goals in the team's 2-0 win over Oakland Roots SC on Sunday.

Williams scored the first goal just four minutes into the match, seizing a loose ball in the middle of the penalty area and finishing it with a low shot.

His second goal came from the penalty spot just before halftime, as he converted the penalty after being tripped at the top of the box. This two-goal performance also marked significant milestones for Williams, a veteran in his 10th year, now playing with the Hounds.

The first goal represented his 100th contribution in terms of goals and assists combined in the USL Championship regular season, and he currently ranks second on the league’s all-time scoring list with 83 goals.

In addition to his scoring in the victory against Oakland, Williams won 8 out of 10 aerial duels (totalling 12 out of 19 duels overall) and drew three fouls for the Hounds, which includes the penalty he earned in the first half.

Williams is the second player from the Hounds to receive the Player of the Week title this season, following Robbie Mertz, who received the accolade in Week 14.

Furthermore, Williams earned a position on the USL Championship Team of the Week, which featured Mertz on the bench after he created a match-high four chances, delivered nine total crosses, and achieved an impressive passing accuracy of 88.9 per cent during the win on Sunday.

100 USL Championship goal contributions in the regular season for Augi Williams!
100 USL Championship goal contributions in the regular season for Augi Williams!
Attacker Fofin Turay set for TOP Oss Eerste Divisie debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Fofin Turay set for TOP Oss Eerste Divisie debut

On Friday, Sierra Leone native Fofin Turay might make his debut for TOP Oss in the Eerste Divisie after transferring on loan from FC Groningen.

FC Emmen will host TOP Oss at De Oude Meerdijk on Fri, Sep 12, 2025, at 18:00 UTC. This game is part of the Eerste Divisie.

He was brought in to strengthen TOP Oss’ attacking options for one season, with whom he is under contract until mid-2026.

At just 21 years old, Turay might make his first appearance for the Dutch club in the fifth round of the season. Turay advanced through FC Groningen’s entire youth academy and made his professional debut in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.

Last season, he also played in the Vrienden Loterij Eredivisie, marking his debut in an away game against Ajax. He participated in a total of sixteen official matches for FC Groningen.

Technical director Linton Posthumus expressed satisfaction with Turay’s arrival: “Fofin possesses remarkable speed and depth. He’s an excellent addition to our team.”

Fofin Turay regarding his transfer to TOP Oss stated: “I had conversations with a few players I already knew at TOP Oss, and that gave me a positive feeling. I’m a reserved individual who is keen to learn. As a player, I’m explosive and enjoy connecting with my teammates.”

DRC's Yoane Wissa to miss Newcastle encounter against Wolves
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

DRC’s Yoane Wissa to miss Newcastle encounter against Wolves

Eddie Howe has revealed that Yoane Wissa will be absent from his Newcastle United debut this weekend.

The Congolese forward was set to make his first appearance for the Magpies after his £55 million transfer from Brentford in the recent transfer window.  

Howe stated that Wissa, 29, had sustained a knee injury while on international duty with the DR Congo and is still affected by it.  

“Sadly, he won’t be available for this match,” the Newcastle manager commented on his new addition.  

“I just saw him for the first time yesterday, and he’s still dealing with the effects of the injury he picked up just before he left [during international duty]. We will need to assess how he is.”  

When asked why he was prepared to invest such a significant amount to acquire the striker, Howe answered: “Finding an established Premier League goalscorer is quite rare and challenging.”

“He possesses exceptional qualities and had an outstanding year not just last year, but also in the year prior. He has a proven track record of scoring goals.

He has performed well against us and has been a challenging player to manage in our matchups. I genuinely admire the journey he has undertaken to reach this point, as it has not been easy for him.”

Nigerian defedner Ola Aina doubtful for Forest v Arsenal Premier League tie
by FSL News

Nigerian defender Ola Aina doubtful for Forest weekend Premier League tie

Nottingham Forest is facing more problems as defender Ola Aina might miss Saturday's match against Arsenal due to an injury he sustained while playing for Nigeria.

Aina played in both of Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualifying matches. The Super Eagles won 1-0 against Rwanda and drew 1-1 with South Africa.

Aina had to leave the game early against South Africa after getting hurt in a challenge. He was substituted in the 10th minute for Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Reports say Aina has a hamstring injury, but he was able to walk off the pitch after the game. Forest also made headlines this week by parting ways with manager Nuno Espírito Santo. They have appointed former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou as his replacement.

Postecoglou will have a difficult start, facing Arsenal in his first game, especially if Aina is unable to play.

Currently, Forest is 10th in the Premier League with one win, one draw, and one loss this season.

Arsenal has two wins and one loss in their first three league games and will aim to get back to winning ways on Saturday.

Cameroon's André Onana’s Manchester United exit is imminent
by Football Sierra Leone

Cameroon’s André Onana’s Manchester United exit is imminent  

André Onana’s tenure at Manchester United seems to be coming to an end after conflicts with manager Ruben Amorim reached a critical point.

According to English outlets, the relationship between the Cameroonian goalkeeper and the Portuguese coach has deteriorated in recent weeks, resulting in them no longer speaking to each other.

Amorim has reportedly criticised Onana’s professionalism, particularly his choice to participate in a local match in Cameroon during his vacation on a pitch deemed hazardous.

Reports indicate that Onana is close to finalising a transfer to Turkish side Trabzonspor, with his departure regarded as nearly certain.

Tension grew between Onana and Amorim before the international break, with Amorim accusing Onana of lacking commitment in training. Relegated to the bench, Onana was never seen as part of the coach’s long-term plans. The situation worsened after Onana’s mistakes in Manchester United’s surprising cup loss to Grimsby.

These errors reinforced Amorim’s belief that the goalkeeper could no longer be trusted at the highest level. Additional criticism was directed at Onana’s performances for the Cameroon national team.

His recent performance in the loss against Cape Verde faced significant scrutiny, with some observers blaming him for the outcome. These challenges have reinforced Amorim’s belief that the player’s departure is essential for restoring balance within the squad.

Now, with Trabzonspor looking to make a move, his time at Old Trafford appears set to conclude sooner rather than later.

Senegal leapfrog DR Congo after comeback win in Group B
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegal leapfrog DR Congo after comeback win in Group B

In Group B, Senegal staged a thrilling comeback in Kinshasa and moved ahead of DR Congo with goals from Pape Gueye 39’, Nicolas Jackson 53’, and Pape Sarr 87’

DR Congo jumped to a two-goal lead with Bakambu’s goal and Wissa’s follow-up. Senegal responded with a goal from Pape Gueye, narrowing the gap before halftime.

They levelled the score when Jackson scored from a rebound and took the lead with Pape Sarr’s goal late in the match.

Senegal now tops the group ahead of their upcoming matches against South Sudan and Mauritania. DR Congo needs to regroup quickly for their matches against Togo and Sudan to keep their hopes alive.

DR Congo 2–3 Senegal – Scorers: Cédric Bakambu 26’, Yoane Wissa 33’ (DRC); Pape Gueye 39’, Nicolas Jackson 53’, Pape Sarr 87’ (Senegal)

Elsewhere, matchday 8 of Africa’s qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 brought exciting moments and important outcomes.

Cape Verde won 1-0 against Cameroon, putting them at the top of their group. In Johannesburg, South Africa, and Nigeria played to a 1-1 draw in a close match. Egypt and Burkina Faso ended in a 0-0 tie, while Togo celebrated their first victory by beating Sudan 1-0.

In a tightly contested match, South Africa and Nigeria settled for a 1-1 draw. South Africa took the lead with an own goal from Troost-Ekong, but Nigeria responded just before halftime with a goal by Bassey.

In the second half, both teams created chances, with Nigeria looking more dangerous on counterattacks. The draw keeps South Africa well-positioned for automatic qualification, while Nigeria needs to win their remaining matches to stay in contention.

In Group A, Egypt missed a chance to secure qualification, playing to a goalless draw against Burkina Faso. An early injury to Omar Marmoush hampered their attack, and despite Salah having a goal ruled out for offside, they couldn’t break through a solid Burkina Faso defence. With two matches left, the group’s outcome remains up in the air.