Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

There is a chance that forward Malachi Jones could return to play for New York City FC this season after a scary leg injury.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Malachi Jones could make a return this season after scary injury

There is a chance that forward Malachi Jones could return to play for New York City FC this season after a scary leg injury.

The youngster underwent a successful surgery to repair a broken tibia and fibula of the right leg, the club confirmed last week.

The Sierra Leone-born suffered a broken tibia and fibula in his right leg during a collision with Orlando City goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar in a match on June 28 and had surgery days later.

The team’s sporting director, David Lee, mentioned that while they don’t have a specific timeline for his return, they are hopeful that he could make a comeback before the end of the season.

Jones was seen at the team’s training facility walking without crutches for the first time, which is a positive sign for his recovery.

Jones was expected to spend the year developing with NYCFC II but instead became a regular for the first team. In 14 appearances, he has started four games, scored a goal, and recorded three assists. His first career MLS goal came on May 11 against Toronto FC.

Bo Rangers face San Pedro as EE Lions meet ASC Jaraaf
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bo Rangers face San Pedro as EE Lions meet ASC Jaraaf

Sierra Leone’s East End Lions and Bo Rangers will play West African teams in the Caf Confederation Cup and Caf Champions League in August.

Get ready for an exciting match-up as the Sierra Leone Champions Bo Rangers take on the Ivorian side San Pedro in the preliminary stages of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League.

Mark your calendars for the matches scheduled between the 16th and 18th of August, with a thrilling trip to Ivory Coast the following weekend.

Under the guidance of Coach John Keister, the team aims to continue their winning streak and advance to the group stages of the prominent inter-club competition in Africa.

The winner between Rangers and San Pedro will face the winner between Al Hilal of Sudan and Libya 2 in the second round of the competition in September.

In the last competition’s second round, they were knocked out by Algerian team CR Belouizdad with a 6-2 aggregate score over two matches.

In the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup, East End Lions will be facing off against ASC Jaraaf from Senegal in the initial stage of the 2024/2025 Inter-club competition.

The first match will be hosted by The Killers from the 16th to the 18th of August, followed by a trip to Senegal to compete against Association Sportive et Culturelle Jaraaf the following weekend.

The victor between Union Touarga Sportif (UTS) or Racing Club d’Abidjan will confront the winner of East End Lions or ASC Jaraaf in the second-round qualifiers.

The CAF Interclub men’s competitions are gaining popularity in African club football, drawing larger global TV audiences due to the increasing quality of African football.

In the previous season, reigning champions Al Ahly SC extended their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title to a record-extending 12, while their arch-rivals Zamalek were crowned champions of the CAF Confederation Cup for the second time.

Full CAF Champions League first and second-round draws in the preliminary stages of the 2024/2025 Interclub competition.
Full CAF Champions League first and second-round draws in the preliminary stages of the 2024/2025 Interclub competition.
Full CAF Confederation Cup Draw in the first round preliminary stages of the 2024/2025 Interclub competition.
Full CAF Confederation Cup Draw in the first round preliminary stages of the 2024/2025 Interclub competition.
Southern Province side Bo Rangers have been placed in Pot three ahead of the draw of the Preliminary Stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone Champions Rangers in Pot 3 ahead of CAF CL draw

Southern Province side Bo Rangers have been placed in Pot three ahead of the draw of the Preliminary Stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

Having won the Sierra Leone title back-back, coach John Keister’s team will now set their sight to make the group stages of the top-tier Inter club competition in Africa.

In the last competition’s second round, they were knocked out by Algerian team CR Belouizdad with a 6-2 aggregate score over two matches. The CAF Interclub men’s competitions are highly popular in African club football, with increasing global TV audiences due to the growing standard of African football.

The CAF Champions League will feature 59 clubs from 47 African countries, and the CAF Confederation Cup will include 52 clubs from 41 countries.

The draw for the Preliminary Stages of the 2024/2025 Interclub season will take place at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

Its is scheduled to be broadcast live on CAF’s official YouTube channel, CAF TV, at 15:00 local time (noon GMT). The last competition was won by Al Ahly SC of Egypt.

The CAF Champions League will feature 59 clubs from 47 African countries.
The CAF Champions League will feature 59 clubs from 47 African countries.
East End Lions, one of Sierra Leone's most successful clubs, has been placed in Pot One ahead of the CAF Confederation Cup draw on Thursday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

East End Lions set for a return to CAF Interclub Competition

East End Lions, one of Sierra Leone’s most successful clubs, has been placed in Pot One ahead of the CAF Confederation Cup draw on Thursday.

The club, which has won the Sierra Leone championship twelve times, is also this year’s FA Cup finalist. And as a result, they’ll join 51 other clubs to know their opponents for this year’s Interclub Confederation Cup tournament.

The CAF Confederation Cup is an annual association football club competition established in 2004 from a merger of the CAF Cup and the African Cup Winners’ Cup.

The draw for the Preliminary Stages of the 2024/2025 Interclub season will take place at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

It’s expected to be broadcast live on CAF’s official YouTube channel, CAF TV, at 15:00 local time (noon GMT).

The CAF Confederation Cup will include 52 clubs from 41 countries. In the previous season, Al Ahly SC won the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title, and Zamalek were champions of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Teams qualify based on their national league and cup performance for this second-tier African club football competition, which ranks below the CAF Champions League. The tournament winner faces the CAF Champions League winner in the following season’s CAF Super Cup.

Milo FC clinches historic first title in Guinea's Ligue 1
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Milo FC clinches historic first title in Guinea’s Ligue 1

Milo FC made history by winning the Guinean championship for the first time. They secured the title with a 2-1 victory over Ashanti Golden Boy.

Milo FC’s title win marks a significant milestone for the club and sets a new benchmark in Guinean football.

This win gave them a five-point lead over their closest rivals, Hafia FC, who lost 3-1 to AS Kaloum.

Abdoulaye Yonta Camara, Milo FC’s top scorer, played a key role in their victory, scoring two goals. This win, coupled with their season record of 16 wins, 5 draws, and 5 defeats, earned them a spot in the African Champions League.

This achievement was a disappointment for Hafia FC, who hoped to win their 17th Guinean championship.

The final day of the season also saw AS Kaloum defeating Hafia FC 3-1, while other matches ended in a draw or a victory for different teams.

Milo FC de Kankan supporters celebrated with jubilant spirits.
Milo FC de Kankan supporters celebrated with jubilant spirits.