Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Osman Kakay makes Košice FC debut in friendly draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Osman Kakay makes Košice debut in friendly draw

Sierra Leone international Osman Kakay made his debut for Košice in a 1-1 draw against the Hungarian team Diósgyőr VTK during their final summer training camp.

Karlo Miljanić scored the equaliser in the second half. This game was also a final test for the yellow-blues before they started their journey in the European Cup. Coach Roman Skuhravý fielded Osman Kakay, who recently transferred from Boavista Porto, giving the match added significance.

Košice will play their next match at home on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 8:00 p.m., against the Belarusian club Neman Grodno. This match will be the opening round of the second qualifying phase for the European Conference League.

SLFA's Incumbent Thomas Brima disqualified for re-election bid
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

SLFA’s Incumbent Thomas Brima disqualified for re-election bid

SLFA’s Incumbent Thomas Brima disqualified for re-election bid

Thomas Daddy Brima, the current head of the Sierra Leone Football Association, is not included in the final list of contenders for the August 2nd election.

A leaked list was circulated, but it did not explain the reasons for the disqualifications of the only female candidate, Ms. Aminata Bangura, and Thomas Dady Brima by the Ethics Committee.

Since Mr. Brima is presently inaccessible, representatives for Ms. Aminata have already stated their plans to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

With just fourteen days remaining until the election, it’s surprising that the official SLFA media platforms have yet to make a formal announcement. This silence raises important questions about the communication strategy leading up to such a crucial event.

The SLFA electoral officials have announced that its 2025 Ordinary Congress will take place on August 2, 2025, at the Gateway Hotel in Lungi.

The listed names for 2025 SLFA's elections
The listed names for 2025 SLFA's elections
Cameroon's Bryan Mbeumo heading to Manchester United
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo heading to Manchester United

Brentford has accepted Manchester United’s £65 million offer for Bryan Mbeumo. Before Ruben Amorim’s team departs for their preseason tour on Tuesday, the Cameroon international might undergo a medical checkup with the club.

Following the summer acquisitions of forward Matheus Cunha and left-back Diego Leon, the 25-year-old winger is expected to be United’s third signing.

Originally bid £55 million at the beginning of June, United made a further bid of £62.5 million after that month; neither of which was accepted.

The most recent bid Brentford has accepted has an initial £65 million that might rise to £70 million with £5 million in possible extras. From Troyes in 2019, Mbeumo will be the most costly transfer Brentford has ever made.

With one goal for France at the U17, U20, and U21 levels, Mbeumo won ten caps. Following a London meeting with Samuel Eto’o in August 2022, Mbeumo proclaimed his senior international allegiance to the Cameroon national team.

With three appearances coming during Cameroon’s 2022 World Cup campaign before the team’s group stage exit, he made nine appearances and scored one goal during the 2022–23 season.

Having featured in three of Cameroon’s four 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games and scoring one goal, injury disqualified Mbeumo from the ultimate competition.

Nigeria Super falcons thrash Copper Queens to reach WAFCON semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ruthless Super Falcons thrash Copper Queens to reach WAFCON semis

On July 18, 2025, the Nigeria Super Falcons won their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarterfinal with an impressive 5-0 win over Zambia.

The Copper Queens were anticipated to put up a tough fight against the seasoned nine-time champions, but they were overwhelmed by an impressive display marked by sharp finishing.

The West Africans seized control early on, with centre-back Osinachi Ohale finding himself unmarked during a second-minute free-kick, allowing him to head the ball past Petronella Musole.

Osinachi Ohale scored the first goal only two minutes into the game. Esther Okoronkwo scored a second in the 33rd minute, followed by Chinwendu Ihezuo’s goal just before halftime, bringing the score to 30, and Nigeria continued to dominate.

Tosin Demehin scored a free kick for a fourth goal in the 69th minute in the second half, and Nigeria guaranteed their win with a fifth goal in stoppage time.

Though Zambia tried many times, including attempts from their star player, Barbra Banda, they could not score, and Nigeria’s defence ensured a clean sheet. Coach Justin Madugu made critical replacements in the second half to sustain momentum, bringing in Asisat Oshoala among others. This game dashed Zambia’s dreams of winning their first WAFCON title.

Nigeria's Falcons set for cracker against Zambia's Copper Queens
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s Falcons set for cracker against Zambia’s Copper Queens

As they face Zambia in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Nigeria will carry on their quest for the continental crown this Friday. At Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, the game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. GMT.

With seven points from their three games, the Super Falcons controlled Group B. Starting their effort with a 3-0 victory over Tunisia, they next squeezed a narrow 1-0 win against Botswana. With a scoreless draw against Algeria, Nigeria earned first place in their group.

Having won nine titles since the tournament adopted a tournament format in 1998, Nigeria is the most decorated team in the history of the competition. They were dethroned in 2022 when South Africa took the title in Morocco, though.

Although Zambia tied Nigeria’s points total, she lost the first position to hosts Morocco based on goal differential and finished second in Group A. Opening their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Morocco, the Copper Queens beat Senegal 3-2 and finished the group phase with a 1-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The third-place playoff of the last edition, also conducted in Morocco, was when these two teams met at WAFCON last. Emerging victorious in that game, the Copper Queens took the bronze medal with 1-0.

Nigeria vs Zambia set for WAFCON Quarterfinal
Nigeria vs Zambia set for WAFCON Quarterfinal