Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal star Camara’s move from Monaco to Chelsea collapses

Lamine Camara will stay with Monaco after his £47.1m transfer to Chelsea collapsed.

The 22-year-old midfielder completed his medical on Tuesday evening, but the deal fell through just after the transfer window closed at 23:00 BST.

Chelsea’s hopes were high as they had two previous bids rejected, and they anticipated this transfer in light of Enzo Fernandez’s record £125m move to Manchester City.

However, they were taken aback when Monaco informed them that the deal for Camara would not proceed, with no explanation given.

Sources suggest Monaco’s decision was influenced by uncertainties surrounding Folarin Balogun’s move to Everton.

Initially struggling to agree on Camara, Chelsea found a pathway when reports indicated Balogun’s transfer was in jeopardy.

Monaco needed a significant sale and seemed to prefer selling Balogun. Camara played in Monaco’s 2-0 win over Marseille, while Balogun was left out of the matchday squad.

As Balogun’s transfer regained traction, Monaco appeared to backtrack on their willingness to sell Camara.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Juma Bah joins German side FC Augsburg on loan

FC Augsburg has strengthened its central defence by signing Juma Bah on a one-year loan from Manchester City, with an option to buy.

Bah, 20, who is a Sierra Leone international, will wear the number 35 jersey.

Bah joined Manchester City in January 2025 and has gained experience through loan spells at RC Lens and OGC Nice, appearing in 51 competitive matches. He has also earned seven caps for Sierra Leone.

“After Keven Schlotterbeck’s departure, it was vital to bolster our defense. Juma is a talented player whose physicality and skills make him a great fit for us, and we’re excited to have him,” said FCA Sporting Director Benni Weber.

“I’m thrilled to join Augsburg,” Bah said. “FCA is a great place for young players to develop, and I look forward to playing in the Bundesliga and achieving our goals together.”

Midfielder Pape Matar Sarr joins Juventus on a season-long loan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s midfielder Pape Matar Sarr joins Juventus on loan

Pape Matar Sarr has officially joined Juventus on loan for the upcoming 2026/27 season from Premier League side Tottenham. The agreement includes an obligation to purchase, contingent upon performance-related conditions, making his move to the Serie A club permanent next summer.

Having been signed from Metz in August 2021, the Senegalese international midfielder made his debut for us in January 2023 and has since made 141 appearances across all competitions.

Notably, Pape provided the assist for what is considered the most significant goal in our recent history, delivering a precise cross that Brennan Johnson converted for the winning goal against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in 2025.

Capped 42 times for his country, Pape was part of the Senegal squad that triumphed in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and made two appearances in this summer’s World Cup.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Medina United CEO Ceesay Speaks to Sierra Leone Media

Medina United CEO Tijan Masanneh Ceesay, currently in Sierra Leone, expressed his excitement for the upcoming match against Star Sport Academy.

At a press conference at the Southern Arena, Victor Lewis, a senior officer from Star Sport Academy, led the meeting. Ceesay from Medina United was there along with Major Caroline Gomez, who is United’s Safety & Security personnel.

“Star Sport Academy and we have a similar story. We both started six years ago and have played in different divisions before reaching the top level of football in The Gambia. This connection makes our match more than just a game,” Mr Ceesay stated.

Ceesay proudly shared his experience working in media during the 70s and 80s at the Siaka Stevens Stadium. He praised the partnership between Star Sport Academy and the Sierra Leone Football Association and encouraged journalists to share more sports news.

He noted that preparation for this match is challenging since many clubs lack financial independence. However, Medina United is ready, as the team has been training hard.

When discussing the players’ upcoming competition, he remarked, “This is their time to shine. It’s well-known that football plays a crucial role in supporting a stable economy.”

“Our players have been in training camp for the past week, just like their opponents. They faced our junior team yesterday, and our preparation has been top-notch,” he continued.

In response to a question about playing the second leg at home, he stated, “We are a humble organization, but we will step onto the pitch and give it our all with respect. Gambia, much like Sierra Leone, is a nation that loves football, and there’s bound to be excitement at the Independence Stadium. We can’t wait for the game.”

Major Gomez expressed her happiness and felt honoured, sharing her hopes for more success for Medina United while talking to local sports journalists.

The full delegation of Medina United is scheduled to arrive at Lungi International Airport at 7 AM on Wednesday, in preparation for their upcoming appearance in the CAF Champions League preliminary round on September 5th, taking place at the Southern Arena in Bo City.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mogbwemo Queens Suffer Back-to-Back Defeats

After enduring a disheartening 5-1 defeat at the hands of Gambia’s Berewuleng FC on the MBoyo Field, the Sierra Leonean Champions faced yet another setback on Monday afternoon.

They were bested 3-0 by their Guinean rivals, 𝗔𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔, at the DMC Faraba Stadium in Gambia. This consecutive loss has significantly dampened their aspirations for qualification in the tournament as they set to return home.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that AS Bolonta, the Guinean champions, had previously triumphed over the Gambian champions Berewuleng with a score of 2-0 in their opening match.

AS Bolonta has now won two games in a row and secured a spot in the semifinals. This puts them in a strong position as the competition continues.