Senegal ready for heavyweight battle against Morocco in the CHAN semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal ready for heavyweight battle against Morocco in CHAN semis

Coach Souleymane Diallo of Senegal has supported his youthful team to create their own legacy when they battle Morocco in the African Nations Championship semifinals at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

The fixture pits reigning champions Senegal against the winners of the previous three years: Morocco, 2018 and 2020 champions.

“This is a young generation prepared to compose their own history. Though we cannot discount the work being done in Senegal, we will confront a Moroccan team with really strong performance statistics.

Today, we present the youngest team in this competition,” Diallo said as quoted by CAFOnline.com.  “I would like to send all Senegalese people a message: follow us, back our team, and inspire us to succeed. The greatest outcome in this event is possible.

Oumar Ba, the Lions of Teranga striker, who scored the decisive winner against Uganda, promised fight as well as unity.

“We know it won’t be Easy, but we will try our best out there. We are joined, and that is rather crucial. I guarantee we will battle to make it to the finish.

Morocco coach Tarik Sektioui summarised the feeling: Against Senegal, we playing a really crucial match against a team that qualified honourably. It will be simple; it will be a very, very difficult game. Even with Senegal in the semifinals, our objective is always to win this trophy in 2024.

For only the third time in CHAN history, Senegal will confront North African opposition.

Before winning Algeria on penalties in the 2022 final after a 0-0 tie, they lost 20 to Tunisia in 2011. In open play, they still have yet to score against a North African opponent.

Sudan coach Appiah calls for fighting spirit against Madagascar
by Football Sierra Leone

Sudan coach Appiah calls for fighting spirit against Madagascar

Kwesi Appiah, the head coach of the Sudan national team, has promised his team will fight for every ball when they take on Madagascar in the semifinal of CHAN (African Nations Championship) on Tuesday at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

With their first encounter happening in the group stage, this will mark Madagascar’s second meeting with the Falcons of Jediane at the CHAN. Of the 2022 edition, in a three-team group that also included Ghana. With Ghana, Madagascar emerged as the group winners, winning that crucial match 3-0 to advance.

“Our travel was challenging. Every one of our matches so far has been difficult. This is a semifinal match, and it won’t be simple. Appiah stated, as cited by CAFOnline.com, “We will battle throughout the match until the end.”

“We are concerned about making the Sudanese people happy. They don’t need anything from us. All they want is to see the fighting spirit and for us to keep their happiness during the game.”

The Ghanaian coach commented on changing their base from Zanzibar to Tanzania: “I don’t believe it will help to change the weather and climate. The most crucial thing is the conditioning of our players.

“Our trip has not been simple; all of our games have been difficult; this is a semifinal match and it won’t be easy; we will fight.” All game until the finish.

Although they have never advanced further, Sudan is in their third semifinal, having been defeated by Angola in 2011 and Nigeria in 2018. Simultaneously, Madagascar aims to be the first island country to reach the final of a CAF senior competition.

Madagascar Coach Romuald Rakotondrabe believes that victory has transformed his squad’s mindset.

“The victory over Kenya in front of their fans and at home was good psychologically for our team, and we will take advantage of it,” he explained. 

“Our strength lies in our unity. It’s our spirit of teamwork that has propelled us forward. We have players who can make a difference, and we now have faith in the power of teamwork.”

Brøndby IF confirm Sierra Leone call-up and loan move for Mamadou Jalloh
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brøndby IF confirm Sierra Leone call-up and loan move for Mamadou Jalloh

Danish side Brøndby IF has confirmed that Sierra Leone keeper Mamadou Jalloh, who signed a new deal at the club until the summer of 2028, is set to join the Leone Stars for World Cup qualifiers next month.  

The club further stated that the young goalkeeper will be joining Finnish club Vaasan Palloseura, which currently sits in sixth place in the Veikkausliiga, Finland’s top league.

This loan spell will last for the remainder of the Finnish season, which follows the calendar year. “Mamadou Jalloh has been selected for Sierra Leone’s national team for World Cup qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau and Ethiopia at the beginning of September,” the club stated.

Jens Mikkel Frølunde, recruitment manager at Brøndby Masterclass, expressed satisfaction with extending Mamadou Jalloh’s contract and securing a loan arrangement, emphasising the importance of gaining senior experience. He noted that it will help evaluate Jalloh’s performance under pressure.

Goalkeeper manager Daniel Leonthin Jespersen praised Jalloh’s skills as a modern keeper and emphasised his diligent work ethic. He highlighted Jalloh’s focus on personal development and his positive impact on the team environment.

Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua speaks after Wolves debut
by Football Sierra Leone

Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua speaks after Wolves debut

Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua was placed after making his Wolves Premier League debut in their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Wolves played with 10 men for almost 50 minutes of the contest after Toti Gomes was sent off. “I’m very happy for my debut game, but the result is not good because we lost, but I think the team showed good spirit in this match,” Jackson Tchatchoua told the club’s website.

“The team put a very good mentality on the pitch. We wanted to take some points from this match, but sometimes it’s like this. But the most important thing is the team pushed to try to take a point and showed a very good mentality on the pitch.”

Wolves strengthened their defence by signing Jackson Tchatchoua from Hellas Verona on a five-year this month.

The 23-year-old right-wing-back, a Cameroon international, was recognised as the fastest player in Serie A during the 2024/25 season. He began his career with Charleroi, where he showcased his versatility and speed, scoring his first two senior goals as a wing-back.

Tchatchoua made his international debut for Cameroon in June 2024 during a World Cup qualifier after impressing at Verona, where he contributed an assist against Frosinone.

Last season, he played 43 matches, helping Verona maintain their Serie A status while Cameroon qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations. He finished the 2024/25 season with two goals and three assists, including one in his final game against Empoli before joining Wolves.

Alie Conteh opens his Strømsgodset account in draw against Bryne
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alie Conteh opens his Strømsgodset account in draw against Bryne

On Sunday, Sierra Leone International Alie Conteh was on target for his Norwegian side Strømsgodset Toppfotball as they played to a 2-2 draw against Bryne at the Bryne FK Stadium. (Photo Strømsgodset)

Herman Stengel and Alie Conteh ensured that the visitors led 2-0 before the half-hour mark, but unfortunately, the home team came back – and for the first time this season, a SIF match ended in a draw.

Conteh, 20, who played for 72nd minutes before he was substituted, scored his first goal for the club since joining on a four-year deal in July.

Hermann Stengel scored in the 18th minute and Cointeh doubled their lead in the 53rd minute, but the home side never gave in as they rallied a comeback through Lasse Qvigstad and Heine Åsen Larsen in the 67th and 72nd minutes, respectively.

They’ll face Molde FK at home on Sunday, August 31st, in week 22nd of the Norwegian top-tier league as they battle to rise in the table from second bottom.