Author: FSL News

* Established in 2014 © 2021 FSL MediaFootball Sierra Leone - all you need to know about the game in Sierra Leone and Sierra Leonean footballers at home and abroad.Founded by Alie Ahmed Bittar in 2014, Bittar is one of the leading journalists from Sierra Leone with over 25 years covering football.The award-winning website also covers football from across the continent.We aim to continue pursuing up-to-date reports for our readers in Sierra Leone and across the globe.FSL Media is always informative, accurate and consistent. Make Football Sierra Leone Your daily news feed.Follow our social media pages on Twitter @football_sierra, Instagram, Linkedin and Facebook. Permission to use our content is granted subject to crediting our website as the source.Contact: Managing Editor Alie Ahmed Bittar - Email: bittar@footballsierraleone.com - Tel: +44 (0) 7861141119
Barbra Banda is the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year
by FSL News

Zambia’s Barbra Banda wins BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year

Zambia and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda has been named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, emerging as the top vote-getter from BBC Sport readers following a five-player shortlist.

The shortlist was selected by a panel of global football experts based on performances from September 2023 to August 2024. Banda expressed her surprise and gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank everyone who voted and those who have supported me—my family, my national team, and the Pride team.”

At the Paris Olympics, Banda scored four goals for Zambia, including a hat-trick against Australia, making her the leading African goalscorer in Olympic history with 10. She also netted 13 goals for the Pride in the 2024 NWSL season, despite joining in March.

Aitana Bonmati from Spain and Barcelona came second in the voting, while Sophia Smith of the USA and Portland Thorns finished third. Banda became the second-most expensive women’s football signing in history when she transferred to the Pride for $740,000 (£581,000).

Banda, who ranked 12th in the 2024 Women’s Ballon d’Or, is a former professional boxer. She highlighted the challenges young girls face in pursuing sports in Zambia but noted that her mother eventually supported her passion for football.

Pride head coach Seb Hines praised Banda’s contributions to the team and African football, emphasizing her humility and team-first mentality.

Malawi thrash Burkina Faso as they finish bottom of Group L
by FSL News

Malawi thrash Burkina Faso as they finish bottom of Group L

Malawi won their final Group L match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers, beating Burkina Faso 3-0 at the Bingu National Stadium on Monday.

Despite this victory, Senegal and Burkina Faso still advance to Morocco. Before this match, Malawi had not won any of their last 10 qualifiers. Gabadinho Mhango opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a long-range shot, leading 1-0 at halftime.

In the second half, Richard Mbulu scored with a header in the 57th minute, and Lloyd Aaron sealed the win in the 62nd minute with a close-range goal.

Although this win was uplifting, Malawi finished last in the group due to a lower goal difference compared to Burundi. Burkina Faso, already qualified, struggled in the match and ended the group stage with 10 points, finishing second behind Senegal.

Senegal remains unbeaten and aims to keep that record in their final match against Burundi on Tuesday. They have 13 points, with eight goals scored and only one conceded.

Final Group L Standings:

  1. Senegal – 13 points (4 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses)
  2. Burkina Faso – 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses)
  3. Burundi – 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses)
  4. Malawi – 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 4 losses)
Namibia secure first point in qualifiers after a draw against Cameroon
by FSL News

Namibia secure first qualifying point after a draw against Cameroon

Namibia earned their first point in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign by drawing 0-0 with Cameroon at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa, on Wednesday.

This result does not keep Namibia in the running for a finals spot as they were already eliminated before the match. However, it gives coach Collin Benjamin a positive outcome to build on against a top team.

Cameroon has qualified for the tournament in Morocco, leading their group with 10 points. Namibia will play their final qualifier against Kenya in Polokwane, South Africa, hoping to improve their standing.

In the recent match, Namibia had a few chances but failed to score, despite having opportunities saved by Cameroon’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana.

Coach Benjamin made three substitutions to seek a goal, but the match ended without one. Namibia maintains a balanced record against Cameroon, with one win for each team and two draws in their last four meetings.

A comeback win for AS FAR over TP Mazembe in Champions League tie
by FSL News

A comeback win for AS FAR over TP Mazembe in Champions League tie

AS FAR staged a strong comeback to defeat TP Mazembe 3-1 in the CAF Women’s Champions League at the Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi in El Jadida on Tuesday.

Mazembe took the lead in the 11th minute when Elena Nkuandum scored after a VAR review. Despite this early pressure, FAR Rabat regrouped after halftime.

They equalized in the 50th minute with a header from Doha El Madani and quickly took the lead when Sanaâ Mssoudy scored in the 52nd minute.

Mssoudy added another goal in the 58th minute, putting AS FAR ahead 3-1. Mazembe tried to respond but missed a penalty in the 83rd minute and couldn’t break through FAR’s defense.

This victory places FAR Rabat at the top of Group A, while TP Mazembe is tied on three points with the University of the Western Cape Ladies.

All four teams will play again on Friday evening to determine who advances to the semi-finals. Aigles De La Medina will face Mazembe, while UWC Ladies will take on AS FAR. Both matches kick off at 19:00 Local Time.

Jonathan Morsay nets brace as Kalamata edge Arteras Tripoli
by FSL News

Jonathan Morsay nets brace as Kalamata edge Arteras Tripoli

On Sunday, Sierra Leone international Jonathan Morsay scored two goals for FC Kalamata in the Greek Super League 2 during their 3-1 away victory over Arteras Tripolis.

His brace marked his fourth season goal in the last seven matches. Morsay, 27, joined the club on a year deal in September after spells with Dinamo București Panetolikos and AEL Limassol, respectively.

The victory allowed Kalamata to move up to second place in the Group B standings, trailing leaders A.E. Kifisia only on goal difference.

The Super League 2 is the second division of professional football in Greece. It serves as a feeder league to the top-tier Super League. Comprising 20 teams divided into two groups, the league typically runs from September to May.

Morsay was born in Sweden to a Sierra Leonean father and a Swedish mother. He has represented Sweden at the youth international level. Since making his debut for Sierra Leone on March 24, 2022, the winger has become a regular member of the national team.

He made his debut for the Sierra Leone national team in a friendly match, which ended in a 3–0 loss to Togo.