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
"St Éloi Lupopo overcomes MC Alger with a stoppage-time penalty
by FSL News

St Éloi Lupopo overcomes MC Alger with a stoppage-time penalty

St Éloi Lupopo rejuvenated their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League campaign with a thrilling 1–0 victory over MC Alger on Sunday, netting the decisive goal deep into stoppage time in Lubumbashi.

The match’s turning point came in the fifth minute of added time when substitute Enock Molia was fouled in the box by defender Ghezala. Michael Kimputu converted the penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and igniting celebrations among the home fans.

Both teams struggled to create clear chances throughout the match. While Lupopo had a slight edge in possession, MC Alger maintained a solid defensive setup, appearing set to earn a draw.

With this win, Lupopo moves to four points from three matches, sitting third in Group C, while MC Alger remains at the bottom with one point, complicating their path to qualification.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Hilal Omdurman lead the group with five points each, indicating a competitive race for the quarter-finals.

Mamelodi Sundowns share spoils with Al-Hilal in Champions League thriller
by FSL News

Mamelodi Sundowns share spoils with Al-Hilal in Champions League thriller

Mamelodi Sundowns and Sudan’s Al-Hilal Omdurman ended their match in a 2-2 draw in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Friday night.

This result kept both teams in the running for qualification. Sundowns started strong but fell behind in the 15th minute when Omer Abdelrazig scored from close range after getting free at the near post.

The South Africans responded quickly, with Arthur Sales scoring just five minutes later, finishing calmly after Nuno Santos set up the play.

The game then turned tactical, with Sundowns holding more possession but struggling to find space against a solid Al-Hilal defence. Al-Hilal had to make an early substitution when Ousmane Diouf left the game due to injury.

Sundowns took the lead midway through the second half with a well-executed short corner. Teboho Mokoena hit a powerful shot into the near corner from outside the box.

However, just six minutes later, Abdelrazig scored again, converting a low cross to equalise.

Al-Hilal went down to ten men late in the game when Emmanuel Flommo received a red card. Despite this, Sundowns could not score again, and both teams ended up with one point.

Djoliba, Wydad and Kaizer Chiefs in CAF Confederation Cup action this weekend
by FSL News

Djoliba, Wydad and Kaizer Chiefs in CAF Confederation Cup action this weekend

The CAF Confederation Inter-club 2025/26 resumes this Friday, January 23, with Matchday 3 of the group stages starting across Africa.

After the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco 2025, focus returns to club football this weekend, where Africa’s top teams continue their continental journeys.

With the first two rounds of group matches completed before the break, Matchday 3 is crucial for teams aiming to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The CAF Confederation Cup also picks up steam, featuring former champions, experienced teams, and excited newcomers all striving for success.

As qualification spots remain tight in several groups, Matchday 3 gives clubs a chance to improve their standings or get back in the race before the final rounds.

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Fixtures (All times GMT)

Group A – Saturday, 24 January

19:00 — USM Alger (ALG) vs Djoliba AC (MLI)

Sunday, 25 January

16:00 — OCS Safi (MAR) vs  FC San Pedro (CIV)

Group B -Sunday, 25 January

13:00 — Nairobi United FC (KEN) vs Azam FC (TAN)

Sunday, 25 January

19:00 — Wydad AC (MAR) vs AS Maniema Union (DRC)

Group C – Sunday, 25 January
16:00 — Singida Black Stars (TAN) vs AS Otoho (CGO)

Sunday, 25 January

19:00 — CR Belouizdad (ALG) vs Stellenbosch FC (RSA)

Group D- Sunday, 25 January

13:00 — ZESCO United FC (ZAM) vs Kaizer Chiefs FC (RSA)

Sunday, 25 January

19:00 — Zamalek SC (EGY) vs Al Masry SC (EGY)

Sullay Kaikai's stunning first-half helps Cambridge win over Fleetwood
by FSL News

Sullay Kaikai’s first-half stunner helps Cambridge win over Fleetwood

Sullay Kaikai scored as Cambridge maintained their League Two play-off pursuit with an away win as Fleetwood's search for a first victory of the new year continued.

Kaikai scored a great goal in the first half, but Ethan Ennis equalized with a penalty in the second half. James Gibbons then secured the win for Cambridge at Highbury, making it 11 league games without a loss.

Louis Appere missed the first chance of the match, heading the ball over the crossbar for the visitors.

Kaikai, from Sierra Leone, scored his seventh goal of the season for Cambridge with a fantastic free-kick after James Brophy was fouled near the box.

Kaikai almost assisted another goal when he set up Appere, but Appere shot wide.

In the 60th minute, Ched Evans of the Cod Army saw his volley go over the bar. Jay Lynch prevented Kaikai from scoring again by rushing off his line.

Fifteen minutes from the end, Evans earned a penalty, and Ennis scored to make it 1-1.

But Gibbons scored the winning goal with a strong shot through a crowded goal area eight minutes later.

Amad Diallo on target as Côte d'Ivoire cruise past Burkina Faso
by FSL News

Amad Diallo on target as Côte d’Ivoire cruise past Burkina Faso

In-form Manchester United winger, Amad Diallo scored the Côte d'Ivoire opener as they secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday night in Marrakesh, advancing to the quarter-finals of the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The defending champions continue their quest for back-to-back titles, with Amad Diallo playing a crucial role by scoring the opening goal and assisting the second.

The Ivorians dominated from the start, with Diallo and Yan Diomandé posing constant threats to the Burkinabè defence. Diallo capitalised on a defensive error to chip in the first goal in the 20th minute, followed by Diomandé’s accurate finish from Diallo’s cross twelve minutes later.

Burkina Faso nearly scored before halftime when Dango Ouattara hit the post. The Stallions started the second half strongly but could not break through a disciplined Ivorian defence. Ousmane Diomandé sealed the victory with a goal in the 87th minute.

Amad Diallo was named Man of the Match, praising the team’s chemistry and collective effort. Burkina Faso’s coach Brama Traoré expressed disappointment over missing key players, while Côte d’Ivoire’s Emerse Faé highlighted the team’s quick reactions when losing possession and the strength of the collective performance.