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
Ghana's Antoine Semenyo helps Bournemouth stun City
by FSL News

Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo helps Bournemouth stun City

Ghana International Bournemouth Antoine Semenyo scored against Manchester City as Bournemouth registered its fourth Premier League win. Goals from Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson gave the club their first victory over the Premier League champions.

Manchester City’s unbeaten streak of 32 games in the competition, which started on December 6, 2023, ended with this result.

This defeat was also City’s second in four days, following their loss to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup. Bournemouth played well, picking up four points from their last two games against Aston Villa and Arsenal. They began the match quickly and positively.

Goalkeeper Ederson made a double save within just two minutes, stopping shots from Semenyo and Justin Kluivert.

Bournemouth kept pressing and scored in the ninth minute when Milos Kerkez cut the ball back from the byline and Semenyo scored.

City struggled to create chances and did not have a single shot on target in the first half.

Bournemouth returned for the second half with confidence and doubled their lead through Evanilson before City pulled a goal back through Joško Gvardiol in the 82nd minute. However, the home held onto their fourth win of the season.

Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi set for a long spell on the sideline
by FSL News

Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi set for long spell on the sideline

Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi injured his hamstring during the second half of West Bromwich Albion’s match against Cardiff City last weekend. Manager Carlos Corberán announced that Ajayi will be sidelined for a long time.

Ajayi will have surgery in the coming days. Corberán said, “Unfortunately, Semi has a serious injury. He has torn his muscles in two places. The club has said Semi will require surgery and is expected to be missing for around 16 weeks, while Paddy will be out for approximately eight weeks.”

He added, “The best way to treat this injury is through surgery, which will lower the risk of it happening again. Some injuries affect the tendon, and surgery is necessary. While surgery may delay recovery by about two weeks, it will also reduce the chances of re-injury.”

Players can return in around 16 weeks after this kind of surgery. Because of this injury, Ajayi will miss Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda in November.

Guinea Bissau beat Sierra Leone to reach WAFU U17 Semis
by FSL News

Guinea Bissau beat Sierra Leone to reach WAFU U17 semis

On Tuesday, Sierra Leone’s U17 team faced a challenging match in the WAFU African Cup of Nations qualifiers, suffering their second defeat with a narrow 1-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau at the Annex of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, Senegal.

This match marked a significant turning point for Sierra Leone, as it led to their elimination from the tournament.

The defeat also had implications for Group B standings. Guinea Bissau advanced to the next round, finishing the group stage behind Mali, who delivered a dominant performance by thrashing Mauritania 4-0 in a concurrent match at the same stadium. This win solidified Mali’s position at the top of the group.

Guinea-Bissau’s decisive moment came from a well-executed goal by Jose Henrique, who found the back of the net in the 45th minute, just before halftime. Edeny Vename Bampoque earned the Player of the Match title with his outstanding performance, helping Guinea-Bissau reach the semi-finals.

In the upcoming matches, host nation Senegal will face Guinea-Bissau, while Mali takes on Gambia. Both games are expected to be highly competitive as teams compete for a spot in the next U17 African Cup of Nations tournament.

Gambia book spot in WAFU U17 AFCON qualifier semifinals
by FSL News

Gambia book spot in WAFU U17 AFCON qualifier semifinals

On Monday, The Gambia U17 team secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Liberia during match day two of the WAFU U17 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, held at Lat Dior Stadium in Thiès. This win propelled them to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Francis Gomez scored two goals (a brace), while Bubacarr Susso netted his first goal of the tournament, leading the Baby Scorpions to their semi-final spot. Francis Gomez was named Man of the Match.

Senegal, the host nation, and Mali were the first two teams to advance to the knockout stages. Senegal reached the semi-finals following back-to-back victories over Liberia and The Gambia on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Malian Eaglets proved their strength by overcoming Guinea Bissau’s Djurtus with a late goal to secure their place in the next round.

The final day of Group B will take place on Tuesday, October 29, starting at 4 p.m. Mali will face Mauritania at the Lat Dior Stadium, while Guinea Bissau will play against Sierra Leone at the Annex of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio.

Francis Gomez was named Man of the Match.
Senegal beat Gambia to maintain Group A lead in U17 qualifiers
by FSL News

Senegal beat Gambia to maintain Group A lead in U17 qualifiers

On Friday, Senegal won their second match in the African Cup of Nations U17 qualifiers, beating The Gambia 3-1 at the Stade Lat-Dior. With this win, Senegal’s U17 team is now the favourite to finish first in Group A. They have played two matches so far.

Senegal started the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Liberia on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in Thiès, Senegal. Group A now includes three teams: Senegal, Liberia, and The Gambia, after Guinea was disqualified.

Just like in their match against Liberia, Senegal scored quickly, with Mohamed Dabo finding the net right after kick-off. This early goal surprised The Gambia, who had not played in the first round.

Senegal took control of the match and made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute with a penalty from Elhadji Cissé. Two minutes before halftime, The Gambia scored with a goal from Francis Gomez in the 43rd minute.

In the second half, The Gambia tried to fight back but struggled against Senegal’s strong defence. Senegal sealed the win with a third goal from Youssouf Manel in the 88th minute, finishing the match 3-1.

On Monday, October 28, 2024, Liberia and The Gambia will play for second place in Group A, as both teams are at the bottom of the standings.

Later today, Group B will continue at the Lat Dior Stadium in Thiès. Sierra Leone will face Mauritania at 3 p.m., followed by Guinea-Bissau against Mali at 6 p.m.

Later today, Group B will continue at the Lat Dior Stadium in Thiès. Sierra Leone will face Mauritania at 3 p.m., followed by Guinea-Bissau against Mali at 6 p.m.
Later today, Group B will continue at the Lat Dior Stadium in Thiès. Sierra Leone will face Mauritania at 3 p.m., followed by Guinea-Bissau against Mali at 6 p.m.