Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bertrand Traore on joining Wolverhampton Wanderers

Bertrand Traore says a conversation with Cesar Peixoto convinced him that joining Wolves was the right choice.

After a tough time with injuries at Sunderland last season, he believes this transfer fits well, especially since Wolves were also disappointed with their last season.

At 31, Traore is ready to help Wolves push for promotion. He has played at Molineux before with Aston Villa and is excited to entertain the fans as a Wolves player.

Regarding Peixoto, he said, “I spoke with him before deciding, and I wanted to join. He is straightforward. After our talk, I confirmed he’s a top manager.

In football, action is what matters, and I aim to deliver.” On playing at Molineux, Traore said, “I like this stadium. The atmosphere at my previous clubs was great.

Playing here for Villa was tough, but now I’m on the right side, and that feels great. I want to create chances and help others score. I can’t wait for my first game.”

Regarding his move, he shared, “Everything happened quickly. I was training in Dubai, and my brother told me about Wolves’ interest. I wanted to stay in Europe, and I believe Wolves belong in the Premier League, making this a perfect match.

“I’ve missed playing after my injury from AFCON. I tried to come back too soon but am eager to enjoy football again.”

On the Championship challenge, he added, “This is a big challenge for me. My goal is to help the team return to the Premier League. I believe you can have a tough season but bounce back, and that’s my aim.”

Hosts Senegal and Gambia Record wins in U17 WAFU Openers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Hosts Senegal and Gambia Record wins in U17 WAFU Openers

Senegal and The Gambia both won their opening matches in the WAFU U17 tournament. The Gambia defeated Sierra Leone U-17, 4-1, in Dakar on Monday.

Sierra Leone took the lead with a goal from Osman Bangura in the 3rd minute. However, The Gambia quickly equalised when Alieu Saine scored two penalties in the 9th and 13th minutes, making the score 2-1.

Sharif Touray then increased The Gambia’s lead to 3-1 in the 20th minute, and Muhammed Jatta scored in the 75th minute to secure the 4-1 victory for The Gambia.

Both The Gambia and Senegal have three points in Group A, but Senegal is at the top of the group due to goal difference after beating Mauritania 4-0 earlier on Monday.

In Group B, there are now only three teams: Guinea, Liberia, and Cape Verde. Guinea-Bissau was disqualified after failing MRI tests. The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Alie Conteh nets winner in Cup final for Inter Turku

Sierra Leonean forward Alie Conteh became the hero of the day as he scored the decisive goal in Inter Turku’s thrilling 1-0 victory over HJK in the 2026 Suomen Cup final.

The Finnish Cup final was played on Saturday, September 5th at Tammela Stadium. The match ended with Turku’s championship celebrations, with a 1–0 victory.

His precise header not only clinched the trophy for Inter Turku but also secured a spot in European football for the 2027 season.

At just 21 years old, Conteh showcased his exceptional skill and composure throughout the match, navigating through defenders and seizing the moment to deliver a game-winning goal.

With over 10 goals and assists this season, he has established himself as a key player for the team.

This victory marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career, promising an exciting future in European football and cementing his legacy in the club’s history.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Strong starts for Al Hilal and Mangasport in the CAF Champions League

Sudanese team Al Hilal Omdurman and Gabon’s Mangasport both won strongly in the First Preliminary Round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 on Saturday. Other matches are still closely contested as the second legs approach next weekend.

Al Hilal won 2-0 against Burundi’s Aigle Noir, giving them confidence for the return match at home. Gabon’s Mangasport won 3-1 against Namibia’s African Stars, which provides them a good advantage for the next leg.

Club Africain from Tunisia will carry a narrow 1-0 lead to Mali for their match against Djoliba. CFFA from Madagascar also heads to Lesotho with a 2-0 advantage after defeating Lijabatho. South Sudan’s El Merriekh Bentiu won 1-0 against Somalia’s Heegan in another home match.

Senegal’s Teungueth secured a key 1-0 away win against FC Canchungo of Guinea-Bissau, placing them in a good position for the return leg at home.

Vipers and FC Nouadhibou in Uganda finished their match in a 1-1 draw, meaning they have everything to play for in the next meeting in Mauritania. Côte d’Ivoire’s FC San Pedro also drew 1-1 with Nigerian Rivers United, giving Rivers the home advantage in the second leg.

Sudan’s Al Merreikh won 1-0 against Zambia’s Power Dynamos but needs to perform better in the away leg. Gaborone United drew 1-1 with Tanzanian team Young Africans, leaving the tie open for the next match in Dar es Salaam.

Two matches ended without goals: Chad’s Aiglons against Ethiopia’s Sidaama Buna, and Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy versus Medina United from The Gambia. These draws keep the contests wide open.

The return legs for the First Preliminary Round will happen from September 11-13. The winners will move on to the Second Preliminary Round as teams vie for spots in the group stage.

Friday’s results

  • Al-Swehly (Libya) 1-0 KVZ (Zanzibar)
  • AS Port (Djibouti) 1-2 Zamalek (Egypt)
  • JS Saoura (Algeria) 1-0 Horoya (Guinea)
  •  

Saturday’s results

  • Aigle Noir (Burundi) 0-2 Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan)
  • El Merriekh Bentiu (South Sudan) 1-0 Heegan (Somalia)
  • CFFA (Madagascar) 2-0 Lijabatho (Lesotho)
  • Aiglons (Chad) 0-0 Sidaama Buna (Ethiopia)
  • Mangasport (Gabon) 3-1 African Stars (Namibia)
  • FC Canchungo (Guinea-Bissau) 0-1 Teungueth (Senegal)
  • Vipers (Uganda) 1-1 FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania)
  • FC San Pedro (Côte d’Ivoire) 1-1 Rivers United (Nigeria)
  • Star Sport Academy (Sierra Leone) 0-0 Medina United (The Gambia)
  • Al Merreikh (Sudan) 1-0 Power Dynamos (Zambia)
  • Gaborone United (Botswana) 1-1 Young Africans (Tanzania)
  • Club Africain (Tunisia) 1-0 Djoliba (Mali)
Coach Amidu Karim Confident of Positive Start, Seeks Fan Support
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Amidu Karim Confident of Positive Start, Seeks Fan Support

Star Sport Academy’s head coach Amidu Karim is feeling optimistic about tomorrow’s CAF Champions League clash against Gambia’s Medina United at the Southern Arena in Bo City, Sierra Leone.

He acknowledges the visitors are a strong side, but he is hopeful that his team will secure a victory and has urged home fans to rally behind them. During the pre-match press conference, Coach Karim mentioned that his squad is well-prepared after a challenging preseason.

“Knowing we are entering the competition, we have studied our opponents to identify their strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to exploit them,” Coach Karim stated. Medina United is not to be underestimated; they are a formidable team.

Being mentally and physically prepared to play at home in the first leg is a significant advantage, and we anticipate the fans will come out to support the team.

He continued, “Every game brings its own pressures, especially since we aspire to win. Medina plays quality football, presenting a challenge for us, but we are ready to face it.”

Team captain James Kai Yamba assured supporters that achieving victory is our objective and that the team feels confident going into this crucial first leg of the CAF Champions League.

“We’re playing on home turf. The fans and the nation expect us to perform well and achieve the win we need. Everyone has faith in us, so we must use that confidence wisely.”

The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 PM on Saturday at the Southern Province Stadium in Bo City.

Both teams are getting ready for their first match in the continental stage.
Both teams are getting ready for their first match in the continental stage.