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
Bristol Rovers midfielder Kamil Conteh back in Sierra Leone squad
by FSL News

Kamil Conteh’s Bristol Rovers wrap up preseason with defeat

On Saturday, Bristol Rovers faced a 2-0 defeat against Cardiff City in their final pre-season match ahead of the new English League One campaign.

Sierra Leone’s Kamil Conteh entered the game in the 65th minute at the Memorial Stadium. The goals for Cardiff came from Aaron Ramsey in the 28th minute and Joe Ralls in the second half.

Despite some opportunities for Rovers, they could not find the back of the net, and Cardiff’s early goals secured their victory.

Kamil Conteh and Bristol Rovers will commence their 2024/25 Sky Bet League One campaign with a match against Northampton Town on Saturday, 10th August.

Bristol Rovers 0-2 Cardiff City

Pre-season fixture, The Memorial Stadium, Saturday, 3 August, 2024

Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Senior (Hunt 64), Moore, Wilson, Mola, Bilongo, Conteh (Lindsay 64), Ward (Garrett 64), Hutchinson (McCormick 64), Sinclair (Shaw 74), Omochere (Thomas 64)

Subs not used: Hall, Taylor, Forbes.

Cardiff City: Horvath, Siopis, Goutas, Ralls, Ramsey, O’Dowda, Chambers, Willock, Meite, Tanner, Ng

Subs: Alnwick, Dennis, Gbadehan, Hanga, Bagan, King, Colwill, Conte, Davies, Giles, Ashford

Goals: Ramsey 28, Ralls 56,

Attendance: 3251 (1,446 away)

African champions Al Ahly have confirmed a contract extension for veteran Egyptian international midfielder Amr El Solia until summer 2025
by FSL News

Egyptian midfielder Amr El Solia pens new Al Ahly deal

African champions Al Ahly have confirmed a contract extension for veteran Egyptian international midfielder Amr El Solia until summer 2025.

His previous contract with Al Ahly was set to expire at the end of this month, and he had been linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia and Libya.

However, the Egyptian champions have announced that they have handed El Solia, 34, a contract extension for another season.

The club released a statement confirming the renewal: “Amir Tawfik, CEO of Al-Ahly Football Company and Contracting Manager, announced the renewal of Al-Ahly player Amr El-Sulaya’s contract for one season. He said that the player signed the contracts and completed all necessary procedures in this regard.”

El Solia is the first player to score in three CAF Champions League Finals, achieving this feat in the 2018, 2020, and 2021 finals.

He has 52 caps and one goal for Egypt, and he also featured in the 2021 AFCON final match against Senegal and the 2021 CAF Champions League Final against Kaizer Chiefs.

Augustus Kargbo nets in Cesena's Coppa Italia triumph
by FSL News

Augustus Kargbo nets in Cesena’s Coppa Italia triumph

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo scored for Cesena in their 3-1 victory over Padova in the preliminary round of the Coppa Italia.

Kargbo’s Cesena team has progressed to round 32 and will face Hellas Verona in the first round at the “Bentegodi” Stadium in Verona.

Cesena took the lead after 10 minutes with Kargbo’s goal. Cristian Shpendi scored five minutes before the end of regular time, and Francesconi completed the win.

In other matches, Carrarese defeated Catania 2-1 and then challenged Cagliari, while Mantova secured a 2-1 victory away against Torres. Additionally, Avellino won 3-1 against Juve Stabia.

The first round of matches will take place from Friday, August 9, to Monday, August 12. These are all one-off matches, which will be settled after 90 minutes or through a penalty shoot-out.

Coppa Italia First Round fixtures

Friday, Aug 9

Sassuolo-Cittadella

Udinese-Avellino

Genoa-Reggiana

Monza-Sud Tirol

Saturday, Aug 10

Cremonese-Bari

Verona-Cesena

Empoli-Catania

Napoli-Modena

Sunday, Aug 11

Brescia-Venezia

Parma-Palermo

Sampdoria-Como

Torino-Cosenza

Monday, Aug 12

Frosinone-Pisa

Lecce-Mantova

Salernitana–Spezia

Cagliari-Carrarese

New Villarreal's acquisition Nicolas Pepe joins training
by FSL News

New Villarreal’s acquisition Nicolas Pepe joins training

Ivorian International Nicolas Pepe, a former Arsenal player, has joined Villarreal training after signing a two-year deal with the La Liga club.

The Spanish side posted Pepe’s first training session on Monday as they prepared for the new Spanish campaign.

Despite high expectations when he first joined Arsenal, Pepe struggled to meet the hype. After a year with Trabzonspor in Turkey, he joined Villarreal on a two-year contract as a free agent.

Before leaving Arsenal, the 29-year-old scored 27 goals in 112 appearances over four years.

Villarreal, which finished eighth in the league last season, hopes Pepe can regain the form that made him one of Europe’s best-attacking players at Lille.

The versatile winger’s goal-scoring ability and knack for creating chances could be valuable for the Spanish club.

The transfer has been officially confirmed, and fans are eager to see Pepe shine in La Liga.

Malian midfielder Issouf Sissokho departs Bordeaux
by FSL News

Malian midfielder Issouf Sissokho departs Bordeaux

Issouf Sissokho has confirmed his departure from Girondins de Bordeaux, signalling the conclusion of his stint with the club.

The Malian midfielder, who joined the club in 2020 and turned professional in 2021, shared a heartfelt message on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

He is set to embark on a new chapter in Israel, where he is expected to join Maccabi Tel Aviv. Sissokho expressed his deep appreciation and affection for the club, its staff, former players, and supporters, likening them to family. He reflected on his time at Bordeaux and the circumstances that led to his departure in his farewell message.

Sissokho, 22, hoped that he would not have to part ways with the club when he left for the Olympic Games, but unfortunately, that became the reality. He conveyed his best wishes to the club and left the possibility of a return open.

The midfielder’s departure from Bordeaux follows the team’s relegation to National 2, prompting many players, including Sissokho, to seek new opportunities.

During his time at Bordeaux, he made 65 appearances and scored 2 goals. Despite the challenges, Sissokho is grateful for his time at Bordeaux and looks ahead to the future with optimism.