Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nine foreign-based in Sierra Leone AFCON U20 squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nine foreign-based in Sierra Leone AFCON U20 squad

Defender Alpha Turay, who played a key role in both of Leone Stars’ World Cup qualifying matches against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt, is one of nine foreign players selected for Sierra Leone’s U20 squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara has announced a squad of 26 players, including nine foreign-based as Sierra Leone will begin their AFCON U20 campaign against Zambia on April 27, followed by a match against the hosts, Egypt, on April 30.

 The team departs for Egypt on Wednesday, April 23 ahead of their first group match on Sunday April 27. Notable players included in the squad are Mamadou Wurie Jalloh, the goalkeeper from Brøndby IF’s U19 team; Alpha Kabia, a rising midfield talent who recently joined Major League Soccer with Minnesota United FC; and the dynamic midfield duo and strong defenders, Abdul Bangura and Mohamed Bai Kamara, who hail from the Latvian club K Metta.

The biennial African international youth football tournament will take place in Egypt from April 27 to May 18, 2025, with Senegal as the defending champions.

Sierra Leone road to Egypt U20 AFCON

Sierra Leone secured their place at the TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON 2025 as the runners-up in the WAFU Zone A Championship.

Under the leadership of captain and star striker Momoh Kamara, the Shooting Stars delivered an impressive performance, defeating Guinea-Bissau, hosts Liberia, and The Gambia on their way to the final.

Although they ultimately lost to Senegal, their overall performance throughout the tournament showcased resilience, attacking flair, and tactical maturity, earning them a well-deserved spot in their first-ever U-20 AFCON.

See attached full list of Sierra Leone U20 AFCON Squad
See attached full list of Sierra Leone U20 AFCON Squad
Mathews Banda confident of U20 World Cup qualification
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Boyd Mulwanda names five foreign-based to Zambia U20 Cup of Nations squad

Zambia Under-20 men’s coach Boyd Mulwanda has announced his final 25-member squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies Egypt Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U20 tournament, which begins this week.

The team departed on a Fly Emirates flight at 21:35 hours, connecting via Dubai, and to arrive in Cairo at around 08:10 hours.

Joseph Sabobo Banda, who is based in Switzerland, leads a group of five other foreign-based players: Joseph Liteta, Frank Chileshe, Andrew Mulenga, Bonephanseo Phiri, and Aaron Mbemba, who will travel directly to Cairo.

Zambia to compete in Group A alongside hosts Egypt, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania for the tournament, scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 18.

Goalkeepers Levison Banda (Zesco), Eric Makungu (Chirundu Leopards) and Mapalo Chitundu (Kansanshi Dynamos).

Defenders are Happy Nsiku (Red Arrows), Mathews Banda (Nkana), David Hamasenya (Leganes), Samson Ngulube (Kafue Celtic) Milimo Nalumango (Dusseldof FC) Charles Buyoya (Kafue Celtic) and Whiteson Banda (Napsa).

Midfielders are Aaron Mbemba (Cardiz FC), Frank Chileshe (Locomotive Tigilis), David Simukonda, Pascal Phiri (both Zesco), Perkin Mumba Mwale (Green Buffaloes), Emmanuel Mutale (Nkana), Elvis Mutale (Kafue Celtic), and Obvious Mwaliteta (Aguila).

Strikers are Joseph Sabobo Banda (FC Zurich), Andrew Mulenga (Portal Vitoria FC Brazil), Bonephanseo Phiri (Lokomotiv Tibilisi), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari FC), Danny Bwalya (both Nchanga Rangers) and Philimon Chilimina (Green Buffaloes).

Groups for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025

  • Group A: Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania
  • Group B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco
  • Group C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana

The four highest-performing teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, which will take place from September 27 to October 19

Ghana touch down in Cairo for the U20 Cup of Nations
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana touch down in Cairo ahead of the U20 Cup of Nations

The Ghanaian youth national team arrived in Cairo, Egypt on (Sunday) ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations Under-20 finals, which are being hosted by Egypt from April 27th to May 18th. A total of 13 teams will compete in the tournament.

The team, which has won the African championship four times (in 1993, 1999, 2009, and 2021), is making its thirteenth appearance in the finals since the current format was introduced in 1991.

They qualified for the tournament by finishing second in the West African region qualifiers, losing to Nigeria (2–1) in the final match.

The team is placed in Group C under the guidance of coach Raymond Ovi. They will begin their campaign against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on May 2nd at the New Suez Stadium.

They will then face the defending champions, Senegal, at the same venue on May 5th. They will conclude their group stage matches against the Central African Republic at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia three days later.

Amadou Bakayoko scores in Consadole Sapporo win over Fujieda MYFC
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amadou Bakayoko scores in Consadole Sapporo win over Fujieda MYFC

Sierra Leone’s Amadou Bakayoko made his mark on the pitch as he netted a crucial goal for Consadole Sapporo in their recent Japanese League 2 match against Fujieda MYFC.

The match, held on Sunday, saw Consadole Sapporo triumph with a scoreline of 2-1, marking their fourth victory of the league season.

Bakayoko’s impressive performance included scoring his second goal of the season, beautifully placed in the back of the net in the 54th minute. His strategic positioning and skillful execution were a testament to his growing influence in the team.

After contributing significantly to the game, he was substituted in the 67th minute, leaving the field to applause from the fans who recognized his effort.

Takumi Kusumoto had opened the scorin for the vistors in the seven moniute but Katsuyuki Tanaka draw pairty in half hour mark. Bakayko’s winner was enough as they moved four points from the relegation zone.

Mustapha Bundu on target as Plymouth Argyle's relegation crisis deepened
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu on target as Plymouth Argyle’s relegation crisis deepens

Sierra Leone International scored for Plymouth Argyle, but his goal was not enough as their relegation crisis deepened after another 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough on Friday.

Tommy Conway’s injury-time penalty goal sent Middlesbrough fans into celebration, while Plymouth Argyle supporters were left in disbelief.

Conway scored a 93rd-minute penalty, helping Middlesbrough maintain their hopes of reaching the Championship playoffs against bottom-placed Plymouth Argyle. The penalty was awarded after Argyle captain Joe Edwards pushed Conway over, resulting in Edwards being sent off.

This defeat brought Argyle closer to relegation, as they remain three points below Derby County in 21st place, with a significantly worse goal difference and only three matches left to play.

For Middlesbrough, the victory was crucial, especially with both Bristol City and Coventry City winning their matches. Middlesbrough moved up to seventh place, but they are still three points behind Coventry.

Ex-Argyle loanee Finn Azaz had initially put Middlesbrough in front early in the match, but Mustapha Bundu equalized just five minutes later. Both teams had opportunities to win before Conway’s 13th goal of the season ultimately secured the victory for Middlesbrough.