Category: Football Africa

El Jadida Stadium to host Sierra Leone v Djibouti WC qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

El Jadida Stadium to host Sierra Leone v Djibouti WC qualifier

Sierra Leone national football team will play their next World Cup Group A match against Djibouti at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, football Sierra Leone understands. 

The match is scheduled for next month as Sierra Leone will be looking to secure their first win in the race to the 2026 World Cup in the USA after earning a point from their previous matches against Ethiopia and Egypt.

Sierra Leone is ranked 126th, which is 66 places ahead of Djibouti. This puts the West African team in a favourable position to win. 

Djibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. However, it was a positive goalless draw for Djibouti in Liberia during the second leg of the qualifier. 

The Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium is a 15,000-seater multi-use stadium in El Jadida, Morocco. 

It is mainly used for football matches and is home to Difaa El Jadida. Central and East African teams will face a tough contest against Sierra Leone at this stadium.

Egypt topped Group A with six points, followed by Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau with four points each. Sierra Leone and Ethiopia are tied on one point each, while Djibouti has no points after losing their opening two games.

Djibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
SDjibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
RS Berkane face-off Zamalek in CAF Confederation Cup final
by FSL News

RS Berkane face-off Zamalek in CAF Confederation Cup final first-leg

On Sunday, Moroccos’s Berkane will entertain Egypt’s Zamalek in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final. Kick-off at the Berkane Municipal Stadium at 19h00 GMT.

Both African giant clubs met in the 2019 final, which Zamalek won 5-3. The winner of this match will be the new champion.

RS Berkane will play the first leg at home and hopes to win their third title. However, Zamalek is in good form, having lost just one of their last 21 games in the competition. 

Both teams have high turnovers and are successful in duels. During the semi-final against Dreams, Samson Akinyoola and Mostafa Shalaby became 9th and 10th different scorers for Zamalek. 

Only two players have created 20+ chances in the competition – Mohamed El Morabito and Zizo.

Senegalese striker Paul Bassène is the joint top scorer of this season’s tournament with four goals and he will be carrying Berkane’s hopes of defeating Zamalek.

After Sunday’s first leg, the return fixture is scheduled for May 19 at the Cairo International Stadium.

Ademola Lookman nets as Atalanta reach the Europa League final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ademola Lookman nets as Atalanta reach Europa League final

Ademola Lookman was on target as Atalanta secured their spot in the Europa League final with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Marseille at the Gewiss Stadium.

Atalanta, managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, is set to face Bayer Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso, in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 22nd.

This will be Atalanta’s first final in European competition.

Nigeria International Ademola Lookman scored the first goal for Atalanta in the 30th minute with a deflected strike that went past Marseille’s goalkeeper Pau Lopez and landed in the bottom corner.

Matteo Ruggeri extended Atalanta’s lead at the start of the second half with a right-footed drive into the top corner. El Bilal Toure scored the final goal of the match in injury time with the last kick of the game.

Atalanta had several missed chances to score in the first half, even though they eliminated Liverpool in the previous round.

Ilaix Moriba scored the winning goal from a penalty in the first half. 
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea beat Indonesia to seal Paris 2024 Olympics spot

On Thursday, Guinea secured their place in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament with a 1-0 win against Indonesia in a play-off match. 

Sixteen teams will compete in the men’s tournament from July 24 to 9 August 2024.

Moriba Kourouma scored the winning goal from a penalty in the first half.

Although Indonesia fought back, Guinea’s defence held firm, and they secured their historic place in the Olympic Age.

During the game, Algassime Bah was fouled by Indonesia’s Witan Sulaeman, leading to a penalty. 

The African team will be making their second appearance in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, having previously competed in 1968.

Guinea is in Group A of the 16-team summer event, along with hosts France, USA, and New Zealand. 

Reaction

“We’re qualified, so we’re rewriting history with these young ones. They’ve earned it. This will be the second time that Guinea has taken part in the Olympic Games. We’re going there to try and go as far as possible.” Kaba Diawara, Guinea coach.

Striker Kei Kamara helps Los Angeles secure US Cup last 16 spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Kei Kamara helps Los Angeles secure US Cup last 16 spot

Los Angeles secured their place in the Round of 16 in the US Open Cup by defeating Las Vegas Lights 3-1 at Cashman Field on Wednesday night. 

Sierra Leone’s Kei Kamara recorded his first goal for the Black & Gold with a header – just two minutes into the second half. Timothy Tillman crossed the ball from the left wing, and Kamara’s finish found the back of the net.

In the 56th minute, Shawn Smart scored a goal for Las Vegas to level the score. However, LAFC continued to create chances, and in the 70th minute, Cristian Olivera broke the tie by tapping Omar Campos’ deflected cross into the goal.

Olivera then secured LAFC’s win with his second goal in the 91st minute, making it 3-1.

Despite head coach Steve Cherundolo receiving a straight red card in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, LAFC maintained their composure throughout the match.

LAFC will host Loudoun United, a Division II team in the USL Championship, in two weeks at BMO Stadium. 

 

https://twitter.com/LAFC/status/1788430121189384336

Brighton's Carlos Baleba set to boost Cameroon squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba set to boost Cameroon squad

Cameroon’s national football team, the “Indomitable Lions,” is set to add Carlos Baleba to its squad after his recent agreement to represent the team.

Football Sierra Leone understands that the announcement of the squad will provide insight into Brys’s vision for Cameroon’s footballing future.

Baleba is one of Africa’s most promising talents and has emerged as an exceptional midfielder since his transfer to Brighton from Lille last summer.

Baleba, 20, joined Albion in August 2023 from Lille, signing a five-year contract.

Baleba’s absence from Cameroon’s squad during the last Africa Cup of Nations caused controversy, but he has now agreed to play for the team.

Head coach Marc Brys is expected to be named Brighton’s player for the World Cup 2026 upcoming matches against Cape Verde and Angola.Africa’s 

Sébastien Haller eyes in UEFA Champions League final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivorian Sébastien Haller could join Uefa Champions League elite

 
The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final will take place at London’s historic Wembley Stadium. This is the 69th season of Europe’s elite club competition and the 32nd since it was renamed the UEFA Champions League.
 
 
 
 
 
Sierra Leone FA Cup final abandoned as rival fans clash
by FSL News

Sierra Leone FA Cup final abandoned as rival fans clash

On Saturday, at the newly renovated Port Loko field, the Sierra Leone FA Cup final was marred by unruly fan behaviour, leading to chaos and the match being abandoned. 

The Bo Rangers, the defending champions and East End Lions were set to compete in this year’s FA Cup tournament. However, even before the game could commence, fans from both sides started fighting. Law enforcement officials had to intervene by using tear gas to restore order.

The violence began while the FA President, Thomas Brima, was delivering his pre-match speech. Stones were thrown from one side of the stadium to the other. It was unclear who started it, but the police had to intervene to quell the violence. Fortunately, the FA President was unharmed.

Despite fans’ disturbance, the FA Cup final was allowed to proceed until it was halted midway through the second half due to a stone that hit East End Lions player Abdul Nymekye, causing injury. The score was 0-0 at the time. But before the incident, the referee disallowed Bo Rangers’ goal for offside, accumulating more fans’ dissatisfaction.

The Sierra Leone Football Association asks for calm and patience as they await match officials’ reports ahead of the pending Investigation. 

The National Sports Authority has condemned all forms of violence in sports and urges authorities to investigate the violent incident during the final. 

‘Sports should unite people, not incite violence. The game should be won on the pitch, not through violent means. Therefore, the SLFA should find a neutral venue to conclude this year’s FA Cup.’

NFF appointed Finidi George as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Finidi George appointed as new Head Coach of Nigeria

The Nigeria Football Federation Board has given the green light to Finidi George as the new Head Coach of the Senior Men National Football Team, Super Eagles. 

George had previously worked as an assistant to José Santos Peseiro for 20 months before taking over as interim coach for two friendly matches in Morocco last month. 

During his time as interim coach, the team managed to beat Ghana 2-1 but lost 0-2 to Mali. George is a former player who has represented Nigeria in 62 matches and was part of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament-winning squad.

As the new head coach, George’s immediate task will be to guide the Super Eagles to victory in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic. 

The matches are must-win encounters, with the Super Eagles currently in third place in Group C of the African campaign behind Rwanda and South Africa.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1785015390650950031

Dreams FC's remarkable journey in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup ended as they lost 3-0 to Zamalek in Kumasi.
by FSL News

Zamalek beat Dreams to end Confederation Cup run in Kumasi

Zamalek has successfully made it to the CAF Confederation Cup final after defeating Dreams FC from Ghana 3-0 on Sunday. 

The first leg held in Cairo was goalless, but the Dreams FC’s impressive run in the Confederation Cup has ended as they lost 3-0 to Zamalek in Kumasi.

Zamalek’s Hamza Mathlouthi scored early in the game, followed by Samson Akinyoola and Mustafa Shalaby, who sealed the win with a late strike. 

Dreams FC had already defeated Stade Malien to reach the semi-finals and had hoped to cause another upset, but the Tunisian defender’s header silenced the Kumasi crowd. 

The Ghanaian side missed chances to score while Zamalek’s Omar Gaber and Hossam Abdelmaguid almost increased their lead. 

Shalaby’s goal after an hour mark sealed Dreams FC’s fate. Zamalek won with their trademark mix of power and guile and advanced to the final.