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
Nigeria make Bruno Labbadia U-turn over tax issues
by FSL News

Nigeria make Bruno Labbadia U-turn over tax issues

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed that the deal with Bruno Labbadia to become the new head coach of the Super Eagles has fallen through.

The NFF stated that the appointment could not proceed due to “tax details.” The NFF president, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, explained that the tax issue was not discussed during the initial negotiations, and Labbadia had agreed to all terms before the tax matter came up.

The NFF expressed disappointment that Labbadia insisted on the full tax amount being paid by the federation, which they deemed unfeasible.

As a result, NFF’s technical director Augustine Eguavoen will take charge of the 2025 Nations Cup qualifiers, starting with a home game against Benin on 7 September and an away game in Rwanda on 10 September.

This will be Eguavoen’s fourth stint as the temporary head coach of the Super Eagles. Following the departure of the previous coach, Jose Peseiro, and Finidi George, fans are eager for the team to find stability once again.

Ghanaian defender Derrick Köhn pleased to join Werder Bremen
by FSL News

Defender Derrick Köhn pleased to join Werder Bremen

German team Werder Bremen has signed defender Derrick Köhn on loan from Turkish club Galatasaray Istanbul for a year. Both clubs agreed on an option to buy him permanently after the loan deal.

Born in Germany, Köhn is of Ghanaian descent and said he is excited to join Werder Bremen, a club he admires, and looks forward to playing for them. He described himself as a fast and athletic player who enjoys defending – as well as making offensive moves such as scoring goals and providing assists.

Werder Bremen’s head coach, Ole Werner, is pleased with the signing and believes Köhn will bring valuable qualities to the team. The 25-year-old defender has previously played for Hamburger SV, FC Bayern’s youth team, and Willem II in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Before joining Galatasaray, Köhn played for Hannover 96 in the German 2nd division, where he made 56 competitive appearances and – scored 8 goals. Since moving to the Turkish Süper Lig in February 2024, he has played 14 games and scored 1 goal for Galatasaray.

Cape Verde lineup 24-man squad for Egypt & Mauritania
by FSL News

Cape Verde lineup 24-man squad for Egypt & Mauritania

Cape Verde’s coach, Pedro Bubista, has revealed the 24 players who will compete in the AFCON Morocco 2025 qualifiers.

The team is set for vital Afcon qualification ties against Egypt on September 6 in Cairo before engaging Mauritania on September 10 at the National Stadium of Praia.

The experienced squad includes familiar players like goalkeeper Josimar Dias (Vozinha) and forward Ryan Mendes, both known for their pivotal roles in Cape Verde’s recent performances.

Preparations for the matches will start in Cairo on September 1. Cape Verde aims for strong performances in Group C.

The team faces a tough challenge in their first match against Egypt, a strong team in African football, on September 6 at Cairo International Stadium.

Egypt’s talented roster, including Premier League stars, makes the qualification process challenging.

Coach Pedro Bubista has chosen a balanced squad, combining experienced veterans with emerging talents, for these important fixtures.

Goalkeeper Vozinha, from GD Chaves in Portugal, is expected to provide stability in defence, while Ryan Mendes, currently with Kocaelispor in Turkey, will bolster the team’s attacking abilities.

Listed below is the Cape Verdian sqaud for AFCON qualifiers in September.

Goalkeepers:

  • Josimar Dias ‘Vozinha’ (GD Chaves/Portugal)
  • Bruno Varela (Vitória SC/Portugal)
  • Dylan Silva (FC Sportist/Bulgaria)

Defenders:

  • Roberto Lopes ‘Pico’ (Shamrock Rovers/Ireland)
  • Edilson Borges ‘Diney’ (Al Bataeh/UAE)
  • Logan Costa (Villarreal/Spain)
  • Dylan Tavares (Bastia/France)
  • Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew/USA)
  • Kelvin Pires ‘Djack’ (SJK/Finland)
  • Wagner Pina (Estoril Praia/Portugal)

Midfielders:

  • Patrick Andrade (Qarabag/Azerbaijan)
  • João Paulo Fernandes (Sheriff/Moldova)
  • Deroy Duarte (Ludogorets/Bulgaria)
  • Kevin Pina (FK Krasnodar/Russia)
  • Laros Duarte (Puskás Akadémia FC/Hungary)
  • David Tavares (Gloria Buzau/Romania)
  • Diogo Mendes (Rapid Bucuresti/Romania)

Forwards:

  • Ryan Mendes (Kocaelispor/Turkey)
  • Willy Semedo (Omonia/Cyprus)
  • Gilson Benchimol (Akron Togliatti/Russia)
  • Helio Varela (Gent/Belgium)
  • Dailon Livramento (Hellas Verona/Italy)
  • Patrick Fernandes (Marítimo/Portugal)
  • Fabricio Garcia (Estoril Praia/Portugal)
Ghana Black Stars squad for AFCON qualifiers revealed
by FSL News

Ghana Black Stars squad for AFCON qualifiers revealed

Otto Addo, the Head Coach of the Black Stars, has revealed the 23-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger.

Following their successful performances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with wins over Mali and the Central African Republic, the Black Stars are gearing up for the AFCON qualifiers.

Kingsley Schindler, Inaki Williams, and Majeed Ashimeru return to the team. Captain Andre Ayew and Daniel Amartey are excluded.

The West Africans are to start their 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign with a match against Angola on September 5 at the Baba Yara Stadium, followed by a match against Niger on September 10.

The players are required to report by Monday, September 2, 2024, to commence their preparations for the AFCON qualifiers. 

Coach Otto Addo has mainly maintained the core group of players, with familiar faces such as Thomas Partey, Kudus Mohammed, Jordan Ayew, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku continuing to be part of the squad.

Kamboi Eagles and Star Sport Academy have been promoted to the Sierra Leone Premier League.
by FSL News

Kamboi Eagles and Star Sport promoted to the Premier League

Kamboi Eagles and Star Sports Academy have been promoted to the Sierra Leone Premier League for the 2024/25 season.

A year after their relegation, Kamboi Eagles secured their top-tier league spot with a convincing 3-1 victory over Masoya FC at Wusum Field in Makeni City.

On the other hand, Star Sport Academy is set to mark its debut in the elite Sierra Leone men’s league with a notable 1-0 win over Abacha FC.

At the Wusum ground, Masoya FC and Abacha FC are battling for third place, with both teams still having a chance to compete for the final spot on Saturday.

This upcoming match holds significant importance for both teams as they look to conclude their season positively and potentially secure a spot in the prestigious elite league for the first time.

The performances of Kamboi Eagles and Star Sports Academy highlight their talent and determination in securing their promotions, laying the groundwork for an action-packed upcoming season in the Sierra Leone Premier League.

A year after their relegation, Kamboi Eagles secured their top-tier league spot with a convincing 3-1 victory over Masoya FC at Wusum Field in Makeni City.
A year after their relegation, Kamboi Eagles secured their top-tier league spot with a convincing 3-1 victory over Masoya FC at Wusum Field in Makeni City.