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
Africa World Cup 2026 Qualifying Dates confirmed
by FSL News

Africa World Cup 2026 Qualifying Dates & Venues Confirmed

The African nations will continue their journey to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 next week. Match Day Three and Match Day four of the qualifiers will take place between June 5th and June 11th, 2024.

Nine African teams are guaranteed a spot in the World Cup, while another team will participate in the Play-off Tournament, as the tournament will now feature 48 teams for the first time.

The winners of each group will automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The top four runners-up from the groups will compete in a CAF Play-Off tournament.

The winner of the CAF Play-Off Tournament will then advance to the FIFA Play-off Tournament. Here are the fixtures for the matches to be played over the next seven days (all kick-off times are in GMT):

List of fixtures

Match Day 3

Wednesday – 05 June, 2024

  • Sierra Leone v Djibouti (Group A) | 1600 | El Jadida, Morocco
  • Togo v South Sudan (Group B) | 1600 | Lome, Togo
  • Central African Republic v Chad (Group I) | 1600 | Oujda, Morocco
  • Namibia v Liberia (Group H) | 1600 | Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Tunisia v Equatorial Guinea (Group H) | 1900 | Rades, Tunisia

 

Thursday – 06 June, 2024

  • Malawi v  Sao Tome e Principe  (Group H) | 1300 | Lilongwe, Malawi
  • Guinea Bissau v Ethiopia (Group A) | 1600 | Bissau, Guinea Bissau
  • Mauritania v Sudan (Group B) | 1600 | Nouakchott, Mauritania
  • Libya v Mauritius (Group D) | 1600 | Tripoli, Libya
  • Congo v Niger (Group E) | 1600 | Kinshasa, DR Congo
  • Egypt v Burkina Faso (Group A) | 1900 | Cairo, Egypt
  • Senegal v DR Congo (Group B) | 1900 | Diamniadio, Senegal
  • Benin v Rwanda (Group C) | 1900 | Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
  • Algeria v Guinea (Group G) | 1900 | Algiers, Algeria
  • Mali v Ghana (Group I) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali

 

Friday – 07 June, 2024

  • Zimbabwe v Lesotho (Group C) | 1300 | Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Mozambique v Somalia (Group G) | 1300 | Maputo, Mozambique
  • Kenya  v Burundi (Group F) | 1300 | Lilongwe, Malawi
  • Uganda v Botswana (Group G) | 1600 | Namboole, Uganda
  • Madagascar v Comoros (Group I) | 1600 | Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Angola v Eswatini (Group D) | 1600 | Luanda, Angola
  • Nigeria v South Africa (Group C) | 1900 | Uyo, Nigeria
  • Morocco v Zambia (Group E) | 1900 | Agadir, Morocco
  • Cote d’Ivoire v Gabon  (Group F) | 1900 | Korhogo, Cote d’Ivoire

 

Saturday – 08 June, 2024

  • Cameroon v Cape Verde (Group D) | 1300 | Douala, Cameroon
  • Gambia v Seychelles (Group F) | 1600 | Berkane, Morocco

 

Match Day 4

Sunday – 09 June, 2024

  • Sao Tome e Principe  v Liberia  (Group H) | 1300 | Oudja, Morocco
  • Djibouti v Ethiopia (Group A) | 1600 | El Jadida, Morocco
  • Congo DR v Togo (Group B) | 1600 | Kinshasa, DR Congo
  • Mauritania v Senegal (Group B) | 1600 | Nouachott, Mauritania
  • Namibia  v Tunisia  (Group H) | 1600 | Johannesburg, South Africa

 

Monday – 10 June, 2024

  • Somalia v Botswana (Group G) | 1300 | Maputo, Mozambique
  • Equatorial Guinea  v Malawi  (Group H) | 1300 | Malabo, Equatorial Guinea 
  • Madagascar v Mali (Group I) | 1300 | Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Guinea Bissau v Egypt (Group A) | 1600 | Bissau, Guinea Bissau
  • Benin v Nigeria (Group C) | 1600 | Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
  • Uganda v Algeria  (Group G) | 1600 | Namboole, Uganda
  • Guinea  v Mozambique (Group G) | 1900 | El Jadida, Morocco
  • Ghana  v Central African Republic  (Group I) | 1900 | Kumasi, Ghana
  • Burkina Faso v Sierra Leone (Group A) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali

 

Tuesday – 11 June, 2024

  • South Sudan v Sudan (Group B) | 1300 | Juba, South Sudan
  • Mauritius v Eswatini (Group G) | 1300 | St. Pierre, Mauritius
  • Zambia v  Tanzania (Group E) | 1300 | Ndola, Zambia
  • Kenya v Cote d’Ivoire (Group F) | 1300 | Lilongwe, Malawi
  • Lesotho v Rwanda (Group C) | 1600 | Durban, South Africa
  • Cape Verde  v Libya (Group D) | 1600 | Praia, Cape Verde
  • South Africa v Zimbabwe (Group C) | 1600 | Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Congo v Morocco (Group E) | 1600 | Kinshasa, DR Congo
  • Chad v Comoros (Group I) | 1600 | Oujda, Morocco
  • Angola v Cameroon (Group D) | 1900 | Luanda, Angola
  • Gabon v Gambia (Group F) | 1900 | Franceville, Gabon
  • Seychelles v Burundi (Group F) | 1900 | Berkane, Morocco
Bertrand Traore out of Burkina Faso squad for Egypt & S/Leone 
by FSL News

Bertrand Traore left out of Burkina Faso squad for Egypt & Sierra Leone 

Burkina Faso’s head coach, Brama Traore, has announced the squad for the upcoming 2026 Africa World Cup qualifying matches. Skipper Bertrand Traore, who scored in the draw 1-1 against Guinea-Bissau and their 3-0 win over Ethiopia, is not included.

The absence of team’s star, Bertrand Traore, who plays for La Liga side Villarreal, is a notable absentee as they prepared to face Egypt at Cairo Stadium on Thursday, June 6th, and host Sierra Leone at the Mar du 26 stadium in Bamako, Mali, on June 10th.

Traore scored in the draw against Guinea-Bissau and their 3-0 win over Ethiopia. Group A’s second-placed team, Les Étalons, secured their first win in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers by defeating Ethiopia’s Walias on November 21, 2023, in Morocco after their opening draw with Guinea-Bissau.

In the current standings, Egypt leads Group A with six points, followed by Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau with four points each. Sierra Leone and Ethiopia are tied on one point each, while Djibouti has no points after losing their first two games.

The winners of the nine qualifying groups will secure automatic qualification for the World Cup, while the best four runners-up will participate in the FIFA playoff tournament.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Hervé Koffi (R Charleroi SC), Farid Ouedraogo(AS Vita Club Kinshasa), Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag)

Defenders: Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Nasser Djiga (Red Star Belgrade), Adama Nagalo (FC Nordsjaelland), Mohamed Ouedraogo (SCR Altach), Steeve Yago (Aris Limassol), Saidou Simporé (NBE Club), Valentin Nouma (FC Saint Eloi Lupopo)

Midfielders: Sacha Bancé (Valenciennes FC), Blati Toure (Pyramids FC), Gustavo Sangari (Quevilly – Rouen Métropole), Cedric Badolo (FC Sheriff Tiraspol), Stephane Aziz Ki (Young Africans FC), Ismahila Ouedraogo (Panserraikos), Regis N’Do (CF Estrela)

Forwards: Hassim Traore (Joué-lès-Tours), Lassina Traore (Shakhtar Donetsk), Mohamed Konate (Akhmat Grozny), Ousseni Bouda (San Jose Earthquakes), Dango Ouattara (AFC Bournemouth), Hassane Bande (HJK Helsinki)

Amara Nallo features for England's U18 in the Tri-Nation win over Morocco.
by FSL News

Amara Nallo helps England’s U18 win the Tri-Nation trophy 

Amara Nallo, a native of Sierra Leone, played for the England Young Lions as they rallied to beat Morocco 2-1 at St. George’s Park. 

This victory secured them the first-ever U18 Tri-Nations Trophy on Sunday, making them the inaugural winners of the U18 Tri-Nations Trophy.

 The young defender has been crucial for the English U18 side since moving to Liverpool from West Ham.

In a historic match, Tom Curtis’s U18 side hosted Morocco for the first time on home soil. The game began with Morocco taking the lead as Mohammed Hamony scored in the 14th minute. 

In the 33rd minute, Matthew Warhurst’s header was saved by the Moroccan goalkeeper. In the second half, England’s Ethan Wheatley scored twice, securing a win. The match also included a tribute to former England staff member Craig Simmons.

In March 2024, Nallo was called up to the England U-18 squad for the Pinatar Super Cup matches against Czechia, Germany, and the Netherlands. He made his debut in a 2-1 win over Czechia at the Pinatar Arena on 20 March 2024.

Neighbours Guinea knock Sierra Leone out of WAFU U20 in Senegal
by FSL News

Guinea knock Sierra Leone out of WAFU U20 in Senegal

Sierra Leone has been eliminated from the 2024 WAFU U20 Tournament after losing to Guinea at the Stade Maniang Soumare on Saturday. They conceded nine goals in total after three Group B games.

They started strong with a 2-0 win against Mauritania at the Stade Lat Dior. However, their subsequent 7-0 loss to Liberia and 2-0 defeat to Guinea led to their exit from the tournament. 

The match against Guinea was crucial for Sierra Leone’s hopes of advancing. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to secure the needed victory.

The team demonstrated skill and determination throughout the tournament but ultimately failed to advance to the next stage.

Meanwhile, After an exciting first round, the tournament is ready for the semi-final match-up as Senegal will face Guinea, while Liberia will take on Guinea Bissau.

Senegal’s team, the Lioncelles, finished at the top of Group A with 9 points. They are eager to win in the semi-finals and defend their title, which they won in 2023 in Sierra Leone.

The Group B standings after Saturday's final round of matches
After an exciting first round, the tournament is ready for the semi-final match-up as Senegal will face Guinea, while Liberia will take on Guinea Bissau.
After an exciting first round, the tournament is ready for the semi-final match-up as Senegal will face Guinea, while Liberia will take on Guinea Bissau.
Mohamed Conteh shines for Al Ain in the International U16 Cup
by FSL News

Mohamed Conteh shines for Al Ain in International Cup

In April of this year, 15-year-old Mohamed Jay Jay Conteh, a former FC Kallon and Duada Bangs FC midfielder, won his first silverware with the Al Ain U16 team in the United Arab Emirates. 

Conteh left Sierra Leone in September 2022 and played a crucial role in the third edition of the Al Ain tournament held from March to April 2024.

Despite facing setbacks due to injuries, he made significant contributions as his team competed against renowned clubs such as Chelsea FC, RS Kerkane, Kashiwa Reysol Club, SK Slavia Prague from the Czech Republic, and Sporting SC from Portugal in the International Youth Cup.

“I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup. It was a great experience for me as a young player,” Conteh told this medium.

Despite joining the team in the second half of the league after recovering from a hand injury, I was pleased with my contribution.”

The former Sierra Leone U15 attacking midfielder hopes the new season will further propel him to greater heights.

“I’m looking forward to the upcoming season and hopefully playing with the Al Ain U17 side. Since joining the team after the injury, I have played 19 games, scored six goals, and provided seven assists.”

I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup.
I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup.