Category: Football Africa

Attacker Augustus Kargbo was delighted to open his Cesena account
by FSL News

Augustus Kargbo was delighted to open his Cesena account

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo was delighted to get off the mark after opening his account for Serie C side Cesena FC.

The attacker, who signed for The White and Blacks a few days ago on a three-year deal, scored the third goal in their 3-1 win on Friday.

Kargbo scored his first as Cesena registered a 3-1 win over Pontedera on Friday in the Lepro League round three.

“I’m happy to have been able to lend a hand to the team. I don’t know how many times I’ve thanked Cristian Shpendi for the assist, he’s a golden boy and he made himself available to the group,” Kargbo said in his post-match Interview.

“I’m happy with our perfomance.” Kargbo underlines the importance of the group: “We are a family – I found wonderful guys and I get along well with everyone.”

He added, “Roberto and I have established a good relationship. We were in the room together, and we talked about the match. I get along well with everyone.”

He was part of the Sierra Leone side that suffered a 2-1 defeat against Guinea-Bissau in the African Cup of Nations final Group A qualifier on Monday in Bissau.

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

Forest Green suffer Fankaty Dabo's injury blow
by FSL News

Forest Green suffer Fankaty Dabo’s injury blow

Forest Green suffered Fankaty Dabo’s injury blow on Saturday during their League Two match. 

Rovers suffered a double blow after they fell to an unfortunate 2-1 defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers at The New Lawn. 

In addition, new acquisition Dabo’s afternoon was cut short, with the defender forced off with an injury after just eight minutes – and replaced by Dom Bernard.

The former Coventry defender joined Forest Green Rovers and has signed former Coventry City full-back Fankaty Dabo.

The 27-year-old made 131 appearances for the Sky Blues in four years before leaving the Championship club earlier this summer.

He came through Chelsea’s youth ranks and had stints on loan at Swindon Town, Vitesse Arnhem and Sparta Rotterdam during his time with the Blues.

The club will wait to know the extent of his injury as they prepare for Notts Country away trip this weekend.

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Josh Koroma opens season's account in win over Rotherham
by FSL News

Josh Koroma opens season’s account in win over Rotherham

Sierra Leone native Josh Koroma was on target as Huddersfield Town defeated Rotherham United 2-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Josh Koroma, who was making his sixth appearance, recorded his first of the new campaign in the 18th minute before Sorba Thomas scored the second as Huddersfield made it back-to-back Sky Bet Championship victories with a 2-0 Yorkshire derby win over Rotherham.

Thomas made the first goal for Koroma before capping an inspirational display with a goal of his own to put the game to bed 20 minutes from the end.

The Millers are still searching for a first away win this season as Neil Warnock got the better of his former employers at John Smith’s Stadium.

They’ll host Stoke City at the John Smith’s Stadium for the second time this week, in match day seven of the Sky Bet Championship.

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CAF Confed Cup first leg narrow defeat for FC Kallon
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Confed Cup first leg narrow defeat for FC Kallon 

On Friday, Sierra Leone CAF Confederation Cup representative FC Kallon suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Dreams FC at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The host Dreams FC took the lead in the 11th minute through Atuaheme Godfred in the Second round first leg, but after half an hour, the visitors drew parity through Daniel Karim just before the break.

After an hour of the restart, Dreams took the lead through a penalty kick that was awarded and converted by John Antwi Duku in the 70th minute as they edged their visitors.

It’s all to play for in the second round second leg as Kallon will look to surpass last season when they were eliminated in this stage by FC Future of Egypt.

Ex-Sierra Leone skipper Umaru Bangura made his FC Kallon debut in the CAF Confederation Cup against Dreams FC at the Accra Sports Stadium. 

Bangura skippered the Kallon side, probing to make the competition group stage for the first time in their history.

Dreams reached this competition stage after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Milo Fc of Guinea.

The former Inter Milan and Monaco was the coach of his club (FC Kallon) in the CAF inter-clubs Confederation Cup last September when they progressed to the second qualifying stage of the competition. 

Under his guidance, they eliminated Buffles de Borgou of Benin 4-0 on aggregate – but they suffered a heavy defeat to the Egyptian side FC Future over the two legs in the second preliminary round.

The second preliminary round of return fixtures is on 29 September 2023, as Karim Zito’s side face an uphill task away from home.

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Sierra Leone CAF Confederation Cup representative for the 2023/24 competition, FC Kallon, departed Liberia for Ghana to face Dreams FC in the Second round first leg on Friday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

FC Kallon set for Dreams Confederation Cup first leg

Sierra Leone CAF Confederation Cup representative for the 2023/24 competition, FC Kallon, departed Liberia for Ghana to face Dreams FC in the Second round first leg on Friday.

The Accra Sports Stadium is set to host the contest between the two West African clubs.

Having reached the competition’s second round without kicking a ball following the withdrawal of AS Douanes, Kallon will look to surpass last season when they were eliminated in this stage by FC Future of Egypt.

The club’s owner and head coach, Mohamed Kallon, confirmed their departure on Facebook; ” Kallon departs Liberia Airport for Ghana to engage Dreams FC on Friday, 15th September, 2023, in the CAF Confederations Cup Second Preliminary Round, first leg Qualifier fixture in Accra, for a spot into the group stage.”

The former Inter Milan and Monaco was the coach of his club (FC Kallon) in the CAF inter-clubs Confederation Cup last September when they progressed to the second qualifying stage of the competition. 

Under his guidance, they eliminated Buffles de Borgou of Benin 4-0 on aggregate – but they suffered a heavy defeat to the Egyptian side FC Future over the two legs in the second preliminary round.

Dreams reached this stage of the competition after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Milo Fc of Guinea.

The second preliminary round of return fixtures is on the 19 October 2023, expected to be played in Liberia.

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CAF unveils 2023 African Cup of Nations logo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

No debutants as Africa’s giants target Cote d’Ivoire glory

The line-up for next year’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire is complete, with no new teams set to make their debut, CAF reports.

The 24 qualified sides feature continental heavyweights like holders Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and DR Congo add further star quality, alongside South Africa, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Less fancied sides such as Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde and Gambia will look to spring a surprise.

Egypt extended their record number of AFCON appearances to 26 by qualifying again.

The Gambia remain the tournament’s least experienced side following their maiden outing last year.

Mozambique return after a six-edition absence, while Zambia are back following a run of three straight misses.

But there are no newcomers to freshen up the field at the first finals in the Cote d’Ivoire since 1984.

With a host of giants involved, competition for the title promises to be fierce when the tournament starts on 13 January.

Holders Senegal and regional powers Algeria and Nigeria are likely to be among the favourites.

But the expanded 24-team format leaves the door open for a shock winner.

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TotalEnergies AFCON 2023 24-team line-up complete
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Stage set for Cote d’Ivoire Cup of Nations 2023 final draw

All twenty-four nations set to know their group opponents on October 12 after the final draw in the Ivorian Capital of Abidjan.

Continental goliaths like Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and Algeria are among the big guns waiting to know their fate.

The gigantic football events in the continent will kick off in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on 13 January 2024. CAF noted that the official draw will be held in Abidjan on 12 October 2023.

After the Indomitable Lions picked up their tickets to make it a 19th straight finals by thrashing Burundi 3-0 in Garoua to top Group C on Tuesday, the Confederation of African Football has announced the date for the official draw.

Next year’s (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire will be the 34th edition of the biennial African Association Football Tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football.

It will be hosted by Ivory Coast for the second time, having first hosted it in 1984. Senegal are the defending champions after beating Egypt in a penalty shootout last year.

Fifty-two (52) nations battle in the qualification phase, but only 24 will compete in the finals.

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No debutants as Africa's giants target Cote d'Ivoire glory
Isaac Babadi nets first Champions League goal for PSV
by FSL News

Isaac Babadi nets first Champions League goal for PSV

Sierra Leone native Isaac Babadi scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in PSV’s 4-1 win over Sturm Graz in their Third qualifying round, 1st leg on Tuesday.

The win means PSV Eindhoven is close to reaching the Champions League play-off round after a huge first-leg margin. They could face either or Servette. 

In front of the home fans at the PSV Stadion-Eindhoven, they rushed into a three-goal lead with goals from 18-year-old talent Isaac Babadi, Luuk De Jong brace in the 4th, 22nd and 32nd minutes, respectively.

The visitors pulled one back five minutes before the breakthrough of Jon Stankovic, but PSV retired their three-goal cushion in the 73rd minute through I. Sangaré. 

PSV will travel to SK Sturm Graz for next week’s r third qualifying round, 2nd leg at the Graz Liebenau-Graz Stadium, next week Tuesday. 

PSV EINDHOVEN – UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – SK STURM GRAZ – LUUK DE JONG – NOA LANG

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Attacker Issa Kallon nets brace for Shanghai Port
by FSL News

Sierra Leone’s Issa Kallon nets brace for Shanghai Port

Sierra Leone International Issa Kallon scored a brace for Shanghái Port as they thrashed Qingdao Hainiu 5-0 on Tuesday in the Chinese Super League.

The winger recorded his fifth of the season in the 71st and 91st minute, as Shanghai Port delivered a stunning during the 2023 Chinese Super League (CSL) on Tuesday.

Qingdao’s Ma Xingyu scored an own goal in the 23rd minute, putting his team 1-0 down to Shanghai.

Shanghai’s momentum continued in the second half – in the 66th minute, Wu Lei found double their lead. Five minutes later, Issa Kallon slotted the ball into the net.

Towards the end of the match, Wu and Kallon both scored again, helping Shanghai make a clean sweep

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

Mogbwemo Queens suffer Champions League opening defeat
by FSL News

Mogbwemo Queens suffer Champions League opening defeat 

Sierra Leone’s Mogbwemo Queen suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in their CAF Women’s Champions League opener to Senegal’s AS Dakar Sacré Coeur on Monday, August 7, in the Liberia capital.

Coumba Sylla Mbodji’s late goal sealed a last-gasp victory for AS Dakar Sacré Coure against debutants Mogbwemo Queens.

The Union of West African Federations UFOA zone A tournament kickoff on Monday, August 7, 2023, in Monrovia.

In the opening match, in front of her audience, the Liberian champions Determine Girls fell heavily 3-0 to AS Made of Mali.

In the second tie of the day, AS Sacré-Coeur de Dakar got the better of Sierra Leoneans Mogbewmo Queens by a single goal from Coumba Sylla Mbodji.

Coumba Sylla Mbodji from Sacré Cœur de Dakar and Oumou Koné from AS Mande was elected Woman of the Match “Women Of the Match”.

Pending their second outings, AS Maden and AS Sacré-Coeur de Dakar have 3 points each.

As for Mogbewmo Queens and Determine Girls, they respectively occupy 3rd and 4th place with 0 points on the clock.

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