Senegal's Iliman Ndiaye open new season's account in win over Brighton
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye open new season’s account in win over Brighton

Everton kicked off their Premier League campaign at their impressive new stadium along the River Mersey with their first 2-0 win of the season against Brighton.  

Jack Grealish made his first start since his loan transfer from Manchester City and shone on a historic day for Everton by playing a crucial role in the goals that led David Moyes’ team to secure three points.  

Grealish delivered a driven cross that was converted by Iliman Ndiaye after 23 minutes, a challenging close-range effort that he made look effortless.  

The goal was wildly celebrated by Everton supporters in their new venue, with Ndiaye becoming the player to score their final Premier League goal at Goodison Park and their inaugural one at Hill Dickinson Stadium.  

Grealish then set up James Garner, who scored a stunning goal from 25 yards just seven minutes into the second half.  

Brighton will believe they were to blame for their own misfortune, having squandered several chances in the first half, with Danny Welbeck failing to convert from six yards and both Kaoru Mitoma and Jan Paul van Hecke hitting the woodwork.  

The visitors missed another chance to get back into the match in the 74th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall handled Yankuba Minteh’s shot, but Jordan Pickford dove to his left to save Welbeck’s penalty kick.

Brighton cannot rally back into the game after Danny Welbeck chance to reduce the scoreline as the game ended 2-0 in favour of the home team.

SLFA's president Babadi Kamara makes first CAF appearance
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

SLFA’s president Babadi Kamara makes first CAF appearance

Presently in Kampala, Uganda for the CAF Impact Strategic Roundtable workshop, Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President Babadi Kamara, together with Acting General Secretary, Ｍohamed Benson Bawoh, join global heads.

This event marks the inaugural appearance of the new SLFA president at a continental gathering that unites African football executives, focusing on governance, sustainable development, and initiatives aimed at transforming the game across the continent.

For the first time, CAF will bring together all 54 Presidents of Member Associations alongside their General Secretaries to a practical workshop aimed at strengthening financial governance, promoting youth competitions and driving impactful community outreach initiatives.

The participation of SLFA highlights President Kamara’s commitment to making Sierra Leone pivotal in the continent’s football reforms and developmental projects.

President Kamara is anticipated to meet with CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe and other leaders of CAF Member Associations for a face-to-face strategic meeting on Saturday, August 30, 2025. This important meeting will coincide with the final of the CHAN Tournament.

The discussions in Nairobi will cover various crucial topics essential to the advancement of African football.

The CAF IMPACT sessions, held in three separate groups, will offer practical guidance on program goals, the rights and responsibilities of Member Associations, financial contributions and reporting, and measures to prevent the misuse of CAF IMPACT funds.

Sarah Mukuna, Director of Member Associations at CAF, stated: “This CAF IMPACT workshop is unprecedented, uniting Presidents and their administrative teams to collaboratively enhance governance and impact.

It demonstrates CAF’s dedication to providing our leaders with the necessary tools to make African football competitive and self-sustaining on a global scale.”

Sudan advance to CHAN semis after penalty shootout victory over Algeria
by Football Sierra Leone

Sudan advance to CHAN semis after penalty shootout victory over Algeria

Sudan continued their impressive journey in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 with a stunning quarter-final win over Algeria in Zanzibar.

The match ended 1-1, with Sudan triumphing 4-2 in penalties, showcasing their discipline, tactical pragmatism, and unwavering belief, according to CAF Technical Study Group member Michael Amenga Okoth.

Despite Algeria entering as heavy favorites, Sudan’s strategy involved selective pressing and compact defensive organization, which led to an own goal early in the second half after Musa Hussien’s shot was parried.

Amenga emphasized that this reflected a clear tactical plan from coach Kwesi Appiah, as Sudan focused on resilience over possession.

Even after Algeria equalized through Soufiane Bayazid, Sudan’s defense remained steadfast, expertly blocking central access and maintaining composure under pressure. When the match went to penalties, goalkeeper Mohamed ‘Abooja’ Alnour Adam Saeed saved two spot-kicks, helping Sudan advance to the semi-finals.

Sudan’s impressive physical conditioning allowed them to compete fiercely for 120 minutes, and their disciplined midfield play was crucial in thwarting Algeria’s attempts to dominate. The players’ emotional drive, fueled by their challenging circumstances back home, added an extra layer of motivation, leading to their unforgettable semi-final matchup against Madagascar.

Defending champions Senegal beat Uganda to reach CHAN semis
by FSL News

Defending champions Senegal beat Uganda to reach CHAN semis

Defending champions Senegal overcame co-hosts Uganda 1-0 in the quarter-final match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

Oumar Ba scored the decisive goal shortly after the 60-minute mark, showcasing Senegal’s tournament experience against a passionate crowd of over 35,000.

The goal came from a cross by Libasse Guèye that found Ba at the far post, allowing him to place a low shot past goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa.

While Uganda fought valiantly, becoming the first team to reach the knockout rounds, they struggled to convert opportunities. Allan Okello had a powerful shot saved, and Gavin Kizito just missed with a header.

Senegal’s strong defense, led by goalkeeper Marc Diouf and central defenders Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse, held firm against Uganda’s advances. Despite Uganda having more shots, they lacked the composure shown by Senegal.

The match marked a historic achievement for Uganda, who had never reached this stage before and finished first in their group. Coach Morley Byekwaso emphasised the team would learn and return stronger. Defensive masterclass! Ndiaye’s commanding display earns him the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award.

Senegal will face Madagascar in the semi-finals, while Uganda’s journey in CHAN 2024 lays the groundwork for future success.

Burkina Faso's Dango Ouattara's nets debut goal for Brentford
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara nets debut goal for Brentford

Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara scored on his debut for Brentford a their 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in their first home match of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

The 23-year-old’s 12th-minute finish was the difference as Keith Andrews’ team celebrated their first win at Gtech Community Stadium. Ouattara started just a week after signing, alongside Jordan Henderson, who also made his full debut.

In a tribute to former club chair Dan Tana, the Bees observed a minute’s applause before kick-off, wearing black armbands.

Damsgaard had the first chance of the match early on, but his effort went wide. Brentford took the lead through Ouattara, who scored after a rebound from an initial save by Emiliano Martínez.

Brentford’s Kayode made significant contributions with long throws, leading to a blocked attempt by Henderson. Aston Villa’s first chances came from set-pieces, with Schade and Kelleher making key saves. Damsgaard’s volley was ruled out by VAR for a foul.

Late in the first half, Ollie Watkins’ shot was also blocked, and Kayode’s challenge prevented Villa from equalizing early in the second half. Onana’s shot was blocked after Watkins set him up, and Thiago missed the chance to extend the lead with a wide shot in the final minutes.

In the second half, Kayode again played a crucial role, blocking a shot from Onana after a setup from Watkins. Thiago had another opportunity to score but also shot wide in the closing moments.