Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alie Ramadan Kabia Joins Vålerenga

Star Sport Academy has confirmed that key player and one of their exceptional young talent, Alie Ramadan Kabia, has officially joined Norwegian club Vålerenga Fotball Elite, competing in the Norwegian top League.

The 18-year-old has been outstanding throughout his time with Star Sport Academy and has now signed a contract that will keep him at the club until 2030.

“We are incredibly proud of Alie and this remarkable achievement. This is another exciting step in his football journey, and we do not doubt that he will continue to shine on the big stage.”

Kabia, who will train with the A-team, is ready to play for Vålerenga as soon as the work permit is approved.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal Thrash Sierra Leone in WAFU Zone A U17 Qualifiers

Sierra Leone’s U-17 football team suffered a devastating 5-0 defeat to Senegal in their recent match at the WAFU Zone A tournament.

This loss followed a disappointing performance in which they conceded four goals to The Gambia in their earlier match, bringing their total to an alarming nine goals conceded over just two games.

With these results, the Sierra Stars has been eliminated the tournament, which serves as a crucial qualifier for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

As they look to salvage themselves, their next game is against Mauritania in what will be their final group match. The pressure is on for Sierra Leone to perform and secure a victory.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Serhou Guirassy’s brace powers Dortmund to victory

Serhou Guirassy scored twice and also netted an own goal as Dortmund won their Champions League opener at the Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday. Renato Veiga’s own goal gave Dortmund the lead early in the second half, but Santiago Mourino equalized for Villarreal.

Guirassy restored Dortmund’s lead in the 80th minute, then scored a penalty. However, he later scored an own goal. Villarreal failed to score in their four away matches last season, missing several chances.

Dortmund went into halftime level. In the 53rd minute, Veiga accidentally deflected a cross into his own goal, but Mourino equalized soon after. Guirassy finally scored in the 80th minute after a pass from Fabio Silva.

Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Guirassy has been involved in 26 goals in 25 Champions League games, a record only Erling Haaland has bettered. Villarreal nearly equalized late on when a shot was deflected wide.

Tensions mount as FIFA drawn into SLFA elections dispute
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

FIFA, CAF Direct Suspension of NFF Election Procedure

FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have asked to pause the Nigeria Football Federation’s electoral process while they investigate the leadership crisis in Nigeria’s football governing body.

They will send a team to Abuja to meet with football officials, electoral bodies, and government representatives before deciding on next steps.

This request follows the resignations of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and other Executive Committee members amid criticism of the national teams’ performances, including the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Gusau stepped down on 27 August to allow for reforms in Nigerian football.

An elective congress was set for 27 September in Lafia, but plans were halted. The NFF stated a new process will start after discussing reforms with FIFA and CAF, but FIFA has not approved any specific reform plan yet.

This follows a meeting on 1 September involving FIFA, CAF, NFF officials, and Nigeria’s federal government. FIFA and CAF plan to visit Abuja soon to gather information for their assessment of the situation.

Ikpeme will serve as the main contact between the NFF, FIFA, and CAF during this review. The assessment is crucial as FIFA requires national associations to operate independently without outside influence.

FIFA has intervened in Nigerian football governance before, lifting a suspension threat in 2018 after the NFF regained control. For now, FIFA has not threatened sanctions or specified how to resolve the crisis and states that no assumptions should be made about possible actions.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone to Host Zimbabwe in Morocco for AFCON 2027 Opener

Sierra Leone begins its journey to qualify for AFCON 2027 under new head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa. His goal is to lead the team to qualify for the biggest football tournament in East Africa.

The match between Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe will take place at El Jadida Stadium in Morocco on September 24 in the PAMOJA 2027 Cup of Nations.

The new Leone Stars coach was appointed in June this year ahead of the 2027 qualifiers for this tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Didier Gomes Da Rosa holds a UEFA Pro Licence and has extensive experience in African football, having managed teams in Cameroon, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Egypt, Sudan, and Mauritania.

He has worked with clubs such as Horoya AC in Guinea, Al Merrikh in Sudan, Ismaily SC in Egypt, Coton Sport in Cameroon, and Rayon Sport in Rwanda.

Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will automatically qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027, regardless of their match results. The highest-ranked team in the same group as the hosts will also qualify for the finals.

The tournament will take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027. This event will bring Africa’s major football competition back to East Africa for the first time in over fifty years.

The Leone Stars of Sierra Leone have missed the last two AFCON tournaments since they participated in Cameroon 2021.

  • Group E: DR Congo v E Guinea (24/09, 16h00)
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  • Sierra Leone v Zimbabwe (24/09, 19h00)