Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone's Augustine Williams nets hat trick in 13 minutes
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Augustine Williams nets hat-trick in 13 minutes

Sierra Leone International Augustine Williams, a forward for Indy Eleven, scored three goals in their triumph over Miami FC, helping his team win 4-0 at Carroll Stadium.

Williams’ hattrick came in the second half, within 13 minutes. This brought his total goals for the season to eight, ranking him second on the team behind Jack Blake.

Williams is now tied for sixth all-time in the USL Championship Top Ten list with 74 career goals with this performance.

He is just one goal behind his teammate Sebastian Guenzatti. Williams is the third player in the team’s history to achieve a hat trick, following Manuel Arteaga and Eamon Zayed.

This game also saw the team tie a franchise record by scoring four goals in one half. The game’s first goal was a penalty kick by Jack Blake in the 62nd minute, making his total 6-6 on penalty kicks this season. Goalie Hunter Sulte made one save, earning his seventh clean sheet of the season.

Ivory Coast named a strong squad for the Sierra Leone doubleheader
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivory Coast named strong squad for Sierra Leone doubleheader

Ivorian coach Emerse Faé has selected a strong 25-man squad for two matches against Sierra Leone in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Striker Sébastien Haller returned after missing the last two qualifiers. He joined La Liga club Leganés on loan for the 2024–25 season on August 30, 2024.

The Laurent Pokou Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for the first match between Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone on October 11. The game is a crucial one for the 2025 qualifier.

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced that the second leg of the doubleheader will be held on October 15 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia.

Ivory Coast has had a perfect start in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, winning their matches against Zambia and Chad, securing the top position in Group G with six points.

The Leone Stars will aim to bounce back from their recent loss to Zambia and revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Here is the squad selected by Ivory Coast for the upcoming matches.

Ivory Coast named a strong squad for the Sierra Leone doubleheader
Ivory Coast named a strong squad for the Sierra Leone doubleheader
Sierra Leone League Board Chairman Victor Lewis calls for calm
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone League Board Chairman Victor Lewis calls for calm

Football administrator Victor Lewis has urged the football fraternity and stakeholders to work in peace after being re-appointed as Premier League Board Chairman.

The Sierra Leone Football Association has confirmed that Lewis will continue as the Board Chairman for the 2024/2025 season, along with Daniel S Momoh, Brima S Turay, and Abu Manley Conteh as FA’s representatives.

Talking to Football Sierra Leone, Lewis expressed his commitment, passion, and dedication to sacrificing and serving the beautiful game. He deeply appreciates every appointment as a recognition of his contribution to the development of the game in Sierra Leone.

“Now, it’s time to develop the game, and I need everyone on board to support the process. We need total peace in changing the narrative – I am calling on all factions to achieve a successful season.”

We have to keep developing talents like Juma Bah, who made his Spanish La Liga debut with Valladolid a few days ago. We must unite in building the game for the clubs and players to be the beneficiaries.”

Football is the only thing that unites us as a nation, and the league last season generated some positives, like the Shooting Stars qualifying for the African Cup of Nations U20 and Juma Bah making headlines in Spain.

It’s time we build on this achievement moving forward – we must work together to make the league much more efficient and successful.”

The season is set to begin in October as the reigning champions Bo Rangers prepare to defend their title.

Ismael Kabia makes Arsenal's senior debut in the Carabao Cup win over Bolton
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ismael Kabia makes Arsenal’s senior debut in Carabao Cup win over Bolton

Ismael Kabia, a native of Sierra Leone, made his senior debut for Arsenal as they secured a 5-1 victory over League One side Bolton in the Carabao Cup at Emirates Stadium.

As a result of this win, the London side advanced to the fourth round after a convincing performance against League One side Bolton.

Declan Rice opened the scoring, followed by two goals from Ethan Nwaneri on either side of half-time, making it 3-0. Although the visitors managed to score one goal, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz added to the scoreline, securing a strong victory for Mikel Arteta’s men.

In addition to the first starts for Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter and right-back Josh Nichols made their full debuts, with substitute appearances for Maldini Kacurri and Ismael Kabia.

Kabia expressed his excitement on his Instagram page, stating, “A dream come true to make my professional debut for Arsenal. Proud moment for me and my family and everyone that has helped me in my journey,” Kabia noted on his Instagram. 

The youngster, 18, signed his first professional contract in July and was impressive after he was subbed on in the 81st minute to make his senior debut.

Striker Kei Kamara nets in Los Angeles Lamar Hunt US Open Cup win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Kei Kamara nets in Los Angeles Lamar Hunt US Open Cup win

Sierra Leone’s Kei Kamara continued his goal-scoring streak as Los Angeles won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Sporting Kansas City.

After 120 gruelling minutes in front of a boisterous, sellout crowd of more than 22,000 fans, LAFC claimed its first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup overcoming stubborn Sporting Kansas City.

The 2024 U.S. Open Cup champions took the lead when French legend Olivier Giroud tapped home a Mateusz Bogusz cross in the 53rd minute, but Kansas City equalized on the hour mark when Erik Thommy fired home to make it 1-1.

After 90 minutes of regulation, the teams were still tied, but extra time saw two goals for LAFC. Omar Campos scored the game-winner in the 102nd minute before Kei Kamara scored a vintage header past Tim Melia in the SKC goal to make it 3-1 in the 109th minute.

From there, LAFC defended well and secured the victory, claiming the fourth major trophy in the club’s history.

Striker Kei Kamara nets in Los Angeles Lamar Hunt US Open Cup win
Striker Kei Kamara nets in Los Angeles Lamar Hunt US Open Cup win