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.

East Africa CHAN co-hosts reach quarter-finals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

East Africa CHAN co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda reach quarter-finals

Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have all reached the quarterfinals for the first time in a CAF competition, thereby enjoying their home advantage and the ambition that comes with it in East Africa.

Excited supporters all over the continent, this accomplishment, cohosts of the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN)

With three countries co-hosting the competition for the first time and all three having advanced to the final eight, CHAN this year is historic.

Uganda had never advanced beyond the group stage in prior competitions; Tanzania had tripped twice; Kenya was making its first appearance.

With strong home support, though, they have built fresh legacies together.

First in Group A, Kenya, tournament newcomers, shocked everyone. Their crucial moment came at Kasarani Stadium when Ryan Ogam scored a goal in the 75th minute, resulting in a 10 victory over Zambia.

That victory moved Kenya to 10 points overall, ahead of Morocco, the 2020 champions. Their powerful defence and efficient scoring drew huge crowds, fostering an electrifying environment. In Nairobi for their quarterfinal on Friday, Kenya will play Madagascar—a game projected to be competitive.

Ten points allowed Tanzania to top Group B, winning three of four games. The quarterfinal match against Morocco is planned for Dar es Salaam.

Having struggled in earlier competitions, Uganda made a breakthrough by making the quarterfinals for the first time. After a critical 33 draw against South Africa, they came in first in Group C.

Cohosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, this year’s CHAN is historically unique and has generated great local enthusiasm. All three host countries still have chances in the tournament; therefore, bright quarterfinal games are expected.

Quarter-Final Fixtures

Friday, 22 August 2025

  • 17:00 – Kenya v Madagascar (Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, Nairobi)
  • 20:00 – Tanzania v Morocco (Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam)

Saturday, 23 August 2025

  • 17:00 – Winners Group D v Algeria (Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar)
  • 20:00 – Uganda v Runners-up Group D (Mandela National Stadium, Kampala)
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.