Category: Sport News

Defender Alie Sesay returns to England to pens Morecambe deal
by Football Sierra Leone

Defender Alie Sesay returns to England and pens Morecambe deal

Sierra Leone International, Alie Sesay, 31, has returned to England to joined the Mazuma Mobile Stadium. The club said Sesay brings a lot of experience from playing in England, Europe, and Asia.

Sesay departed England eights years ago after spell with Barnet in 2017 – he started his career in the Leicester City Academy, where he got a professional contract and played at youth and reserve levels. He later played for Barnet and Cambridge United.

He has also played in Greece, Sweden, Albania, and Indonesia. He represented Sierra Leone in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Manager Ashvir is excited about Sesay joining the team. He said, “I’m delighted to have Alie. He has played in the EFL and spent the last few years abroad to gain different football experiences.

“He will help us compete and win games in the National League. Alie is a leader and a professional who sets a good example for younger players. Sesay will join the squad as they prepare for the new season.”

Brøndby IF and Vaasan Palloseura in talks over loan deal for young keeper Wurie Jalloh
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brøndby IF and Vaasan Palloseura in talks over loan deal for young keeper Wurie Jalloh

On Friday, the Finnish media MTV Urheilu reported that Brøndby’s young goalkeeper Mamadou Jalloh will be loaned to Vaasan Palloseura in the top division in Finland, accordng to 3Point.DK

Mamadou Jalloh has risen through the ranks in Brøndby Masterclass, where he has most recently been a central figure in the U19 team.

The loan agreement with the Finnish club is valid for the rest of the season and with an option for a 12-month extension.

The agreement has not yet been officially confirmed by any party. This move aims to help him gain more experience, building on his impressive performances for the Sierra Leone U20 Cup of Nations team.

Vaasan Palloseura, known as VPS, is a football club from Vaasa, Finland. The team plays in the top league of Finnish football called Veikkausliiga. Jussi Nuorela is the club’s manager. VPS holds its home matches at Hietalahti.

by Football Sierra Leone

Co-hosts Tanzania to face an uphill task against Morocco in Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam is set to host a quarterfinal showdown as co-hosts Tanzania take on Morocco at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, one of the most successful teams in the history of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), in a highly anticipated match on Friday.

This encounter will mark the first-ever meeting between Tanzania and Morocco at CHAN, and it will also be Tanzania’s first match against a North African team in the tournament.

Tanzania will be playing their 11th game at CHAN, while Morocco will be their 10th different opponent in the competition.

Morocco has faced East African teams six times, with a record of three wins, two draws, and one loss. Their wins include victories over Uganda (3-0 in 2014, 5-2 in 2020) and Rwanda (4-1 in 2016), along with draws against Rwanda (0-0 in 2020) and Sudan (0-0 in 2018).

In this tournament, their only defeat was a 1-0 loss to Kenya. This match marks Morocco’s first knockout round encounter with an East African team and will be their 21st opponent at CHAN.

Morocco will face a tournament host for the fourth time, having previously beaten Rwanda (4-1 in 2014) and Cameroon (4-0 in 2020), but lost to Kenya this year.

Tanzania has shown strong defence, conceding only one goal—the fewest in the tournament—while Morocco boasts a powerful attack, scoring eight goals, the highest in the competition.

Morocco has an 18.6% shot conversion rate, scoring eight goals from 23 shots on target, while Tanzania has a conversion rate of 10.42%, with five goals from 17 shots. Additionally, Tanzania leads in defence with 45 tackles, compared to Morocco’s 29.

Attacker Idriss Kanu features in Barnet's first win of the season
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Idriss Kanu features in Barnet’s first win of the season

Sierra Leone International Idriss Kanu featured as Barnet secured their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Swindon Town, thanks to late goals from Dennis Adineran and Emmanuel Osadebe.

Kanu, 25, was playing for the Bees in his fourth game after the team lost all three of their opening matches this season.

The match began with Barnet facing early pressure but goalkeeper Cieran Slicker made crucial saves.

Despite several scoring opportunities from Barnet, including chances from Callum Stead and Ollie Hawkins, they remained scoreless until the second half.

After making impactful substitutions, Osadebe scored to give Barnet the lead, followed by Adineran’s goal just before the match ended, solidifying their win.

Idris Kanu joined The Bees in September 2022 after transferring from Peterborough United. Kanu began his career in the West Ham United academy before moving to Aldershot Town in 2016.

Following one season, Kanu signed with Peterborough United. The forward appeared in 69 matches for The Posh, including games in the Championship. He subsequently had loan spells at Port Vale, Boreham Wood, and Northampton before making a permanent move to The Bees last season.

Kanu has also represented Sierra Leone at the international level in the national team.

Two goals in four games for Sierra Leone's Josh Koroma
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Two goals in four games for Sierra Leone’s Josh Koroma

Sierra Leone International Josh Koroma has recorded two goals in his last four games for London League One side Leyton Orient, helping his side to their second win of the new campaign.

Leyton Orient secured a 1-0 victory against Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night, making it seven points from their first four League One matches.

Koroma scored the only goal of the game in the second half, marking his 99th league appearance for the O’s. This win also marked Orient’s first success in Plymouth since 2017.

Head Coach Richie Wellens made two changes to the starting lineup, with Michael Craig and Tyreeq Bakinson in the team. After a goalless first half, Orient created more chances in the second period.

Koroma capitalised on a well-placed ball from O’Neill to score in the 63rd minute. Despite some late pressure from Plymouth, Orient held on for the win and will next face Mansfield Town on Saturday.

The former Huddersfield man has been instrumental since his return to Orient, scoring two goals from his last four matches.

Ethiopia's Mesay Teferi names 26 for Egypt and Sierra Leone
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ethiopia’s Mesay Teferi names 26 for Egypt and Sierra Leone

In readiness for the next World Cup qualifying games against Egypt and Sierra Leone, Ethiopia’s national football team coach, Mesay Teferi, has revealed the call-up of 26 players.

Since Ethiopia has had difficulty holding home games due to poor stadium amenities, the squad will play its home qualifiers in neutral sites like Morocco; therefore, these matches will be vital.

The squad will be aiming to secure valuable points as they face Group A leaders Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on September 4th, followed by a match against Sierra Leone on September 8th.

Currently, Ethiopia is in fourth place in its group with six points, trailing Sierra Leone by two points.

They drew with Sierra Leone in the qualfiers opener at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium, El Jadida but suffered a 2-0 to defeat at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca in March 2025 to Egypt in their fist meeting.

The upcoming matches represent a significant opportunity for Ethiopia to improve their standing in the qualifiers.

Ethiopia's Mesay Teferi names 26-man squad for Egypt and Sierra Leone
Ethiopia's Mesay Teferi names 26-man squad for Egypt and Sierra Leone
Guinea-Bissua named provisional squad for Estádio 24 de Setembro double header
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea-Bissua named provisional squad for Estádio 24 de Setembro double header

Guinea-Bissau has announced five new player allegiance switches for the upcoming CAF World Cup Qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Djibouti, as new head coach Emiliano Té named his provisional squad.

Notable players on the list, Celton Biai, Opa Sanganté, Nanú and Mama Baldé, are back for the crucial matches.

Té, who has been appointed as the new head coach of the Djurtus (the national team of Guinea-Bissau), has included Adramane Cassamá (AC Oulu, Ronaldo Vieira San Jose, Tomás Mendes Alverca In Photo, Midana Cassamá (Dibba), Flávio Silva Kaizer Chiefs, Marculino Ninte CD Mafra and Coba da Costa (Getafe) in preparation for matchdays seven and eight of the qualifiers on the 4th and 8th September, respectively.

The first contest against Sierra Leone will be officiated by a team of referees from the Ivory Coast at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.

The Djurtus are looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat suffered at Sierra Leone back in March in the Liberian Capital at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

Current Standings: Guinea-Bissau is two points adrift of Sierra Leone, currently in third place in their group with 8 points. 

Sierra Leone’s hopes for the USA, Canada, and Mexico 2026 World Cup are still alive, with just 15 days to go in the hunt to increase their point on the table.

Guinea-Bissua named provisional squad for Estádio 24 de Setembro double header
Guinea-Bissua named provisional squad for Estádio 24 de Setembro double header
Guinea-Bissau's new head coach Emiliano Té has named seven new faces in his provisional squad for Sierra Leone and Djibouti
Guinea-Bissau's new head coach Emiliano Té has named seven new faces in his provisional squad for Sierra Leone and Djibouti
East End Lions crowned Sierra Leone league Champions
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

East End Lions crowned Sierra Leone 24/25 League Champions

East End Lions has been crowned champions of the Sierra Leone Premier League for the TENTH time as per records available since 1980 after an exciting 1-1 draw with Stars Sports Academy on Monday.

As a result, they have become the most decorated club in the country’s history for domestic titles. Their last championship win was in 2019 when they finished unbeaten.

The trophy and medals were presented by SLFA President Babadi Kamara at the Approved School Field in Freetown. The Lions secured the title with a total of 69 points before the match.

President Kamara highlighted the season’s sportsmanship, thanked sponsors, and emphasised the government’s supportive role in football.

A cash prize of Le 500,000 was awarded to the champions, promoting accountability and timely rewards in football. East End Lions will represent Sierra Leone in the CAF Champions League, while runners-up Bhantal FC will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Scheduled for September, East End Lions — the representative from Sierra Leone for this year’s CAF Champions League- is to meet the Tunisian team US Monastir in the preliminary round.

They’ll start the preliminary round hosting the first leg during the weekend of September 19-2,1, before they travel to Tunisia for the return leg planned between September 26-28.

The teams that come out on top from this first round will move on to the Second Preliminary Round, set for October 17–19, with the return fixtures scheduled from October 24–26. The stakes are great, and as spectators eagerly wait to see how this chapter develops in the renowned continental contest, excitement grows.

Read Related – East End Lions return to CAF Champions League against US Monastir

Records available of Sierra Leone Premier League Championships (36) since 1980:

13 East End Lions Football Club, Sierra Leone’s most decorated

( 1980, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2019, 2025)

6 Mighty Blackpool

1988, 1991 [league abandoned, Blackpool awarded title], 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2001

3 Bo Rangers FC

3 Kallon FC (includes Sierra Fisheries)

3 Ports Authority Football Club

3 Real Republicans

2 Diamond Stars (Kono)

2 Old Edwardians

1 Freetown United

Ivorian Eric Bailly agrees with the Spanish La Liga side Real Oviedo
by Football Sierra Leone

Ivorian Eric Bailly agrees with the Spanish La Liga side Real Oviedo

On Monday, Real Oviedo confirmed that they are hiring Ivorian Éric Bailly on a two-year deal expiring in June 2027. The 31-year-old central defender joined the club on a free transfer upon the completion of his Villarreal agreement.

Bailly’s move to Real Oviedo comes after a failed endeavour to join the Saudi Premier League, the Al Najma Sports Club. Having made twelve appearances during the 2024–25 season, his Villarreal contract was terminated, and he became free.

Beginning at Espanyol, Bailly has played for a few European teams, including Villarreal and subsequently Manchester United, over his career.

He had his longest stint at Manchester United and served on loan at French Ligue 1 team Olympique de Marseille (OM) before joining Turkish club Besiktas. The seasoned defender returned to Villarreal subsequently.

Having 49 international caps for the Ivory Coast, Bailly’s most recent showing was a loss against Sierra Leone during the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in October 2024.

Kamil Conteh's Bristol Rovers suffer defeat to Chesterfield
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kamil Conteh’s Bristol Rovers suffer defeat to Chesterfield

On Saturday, Sierra Leone International Kamil Conteh’s Bristol Rovers were beaten for the third time running this season.Ten-man Bristol Rovers lost 3-1 to Chesterfield in Sky Bet League Two.

Their fourth defeat of the new campaign, including the 2-0 to Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup opening rounds.

Chesterfield took the lead in a frantic first half, and soon after, Promise Omchere missed a chance by shooting wide.

Joel Senior received a straight red card for fouling Armando Dobra. Chesterfield quickly capitalised, with Tom Naylor heading in a goal.

After the break, Luke Southwood made crucial saves against Dylan Duffy and Lee Bonis, but Isaac Hutchinson equalised for the Rovers Pirates shortly after coming on.

Chesterfield then responded with late goals from Kyle McFadzean and Dobra, securing the win.

The Pirates fought back, with Conteh missing an equaliser before Hutchinson scored from a narrow angle. However, Chesterfield sealed the victory with two late goals, keeping Southwood busy.