Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Forest Green striker Amadou Bakayoko wants Dundee return
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Forest Green striker Amadou Bakayoko wants Dundee return

Sierra Leone international Amadou Bakayoko has praised manager Tony Docherty’s impact during his time at Dens as he expressed his interest in returning to the Scottish Premiership side.

Bakayoko joined Dundee on loan from Forest Green Rovers last season and played a crucial role in helping the Dark Blues secure a top-six finish in the Cinch Premiership. He mentioned that he would appreciate the chance to rejoin Tony Docherty’s side.

When asked about his summer plans, Bakayoko told Courier Sport exclusively, “Not sure at the minute. We’ll have to wait and see. I’m contracted at Forest Green, but I’ll have to speak to them and see what’s possible.”

Would he be keen to return to Dundee? “For sure,” he replied. I think it’s a great league. I think I’ve done decent but I can do a lot better. I didn’t have a full pre-season because of the situation I was in.”

The former Coventry man has been selected for the Sierra Leone squad for World Cup qualifying matches against Djibouti and Burkina Faso in June.

He led the line for the Dee and scored important goals, netting six times and providing five assists in 40 appearances.

However, the 28-year-old is still under contract at Forest Green for next season but hopes to discuss his options with his parent club before the new campaign.

Custis Davies named to Sierra Leone squad for the June qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Curtis Davies named in Sierra Leone squad for crucial qualifiers

Curtis Davies has been named to the Sierra Leone squad for the June World Cup qualifiers. Head Coach Amidu Karim has announced his 24 players for the upcoming double-header, which will be the Leone Stars’ third and fourth in the 2026 Africa World Cup qualifiers next month.

According to our source, Davies, 39, has been cleared by FIFA to represent Sierra Leone. The Cheltenham Town defender played in 39 matches across all competitions last season as the team was relegated from English League Two.

Davies made his England under-21 debut on 28 February 2006 against Norway U21s. He was capped three times by the England under-21s from 2006 to 2007.

In October 2023, Davies was called up to the Sierra Leone national team squad for their friendly matches against Benin and Somalia. He played against Somalia in a non-Fifa-sanctioned friendly.

Sierra Leone, having lost to Egypt and a goalless draw against Ethiopia in their opening two matches, must start winning in their third and fourth matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Leone Stars will host Djibouti on June 5th at the Stade El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco. They will then play against Burkina Faso on the 10th at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali.

Midfielder Rodney Michael, who scored against Morocco and Ivory Coast in January friendlies, was also named to the squad.

Indy Eleven striker Augustine Williams, who has scored seven goals in the last thirteen matches for the USL Championship side, has been left out again.

In the current standings, Egypt is leading Group A with six points, followed by Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau with four points each. Sierra Leone and Ethiopia are tied with one point each, while Djibouti has no points after losing their first two games.

Head Coach Amidu Karim has announced the 24 players for the upcoming double-header against Djibouti and Burkina Faso
Head Coach Amidu Karim has announced the 24 players for the upcoming double-header against Djibouti and Burkina Faso
Finidi George names Nigeria squad with attacking intent
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Finidi George names Nigeria squad with attacking intent

Nigeria’s new head coach, Finidi George, has chosen an attacking group as the Super Eagles seek to dominate Group C, departing from the defensive tactics used at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The former International has named a strong 25-man squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin. 

Key attackers are Europa League winner Ademola Lookman and CAF African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy) and Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany) all included for the doubleheader.

“We cannot play defensive football with the caliber of players that we have,” said George. “We have to find the right balance between attack and defense.”

Lookman and Osimhen will lead the offensive threat, supported by midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, and Raphael Onyedika.

George has selected Remo Stars wing-back Sadiq Ismail for the first time, acknowledging his impressive performance in the Nigerian league. 

In goal, Maduka Okoye returns, while Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali is expected to keep his place as Nigeria’s number-one goalkeeper. 

Currently third in their qualifying group, Nigeria aims to secure maximum points from the upcoming double-header to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)

Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)

Esperance's head coach Miguel Cardoso on defeat to Al Ahly
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Esperance’s head coach Miguel Cardoso on defeat to Al Ahly 

Esperance’s head coach, Miguel Cardoso, expressed pride in his players despite their 1-0 defeat to Al Ahly in the second leg of Saturday’s CAF Champions League final. He insisted that they gave their all in a losing cause.

An early own goal by Roger Aholo at the Cairo International Stadium was enough to hand the Egyptian giants a record-extending 12th CAF Champions League crown after the first leg in Tunisia had finished 0-0.

 For Cardoso and his Esperance side, it marked the end of their bid to be crowned African club champions for the first time since 2019.

However, the Portuguese coach was defiant when reflecting on their narrow aggregate loss to the continent’s most decorated side.

“I am certainly not happy about losing the title, but I am proud of what my team presented and of reaching the final,” Cardoso told reporters.

“We fought until the end and showed great character, even though conceding an early goal against a big team like Al Ahly is not easy.”

The Blood and Gold had given themselves a mountain to climb when going behind with just four minutes on the clock, as Aholo inadvertently turned the ball into his net under pressure.

But Cardoso felt there was no shame in coming up short against the competition’s most successful-ever club, particularly given Esperance’s exploits in reaching successive TotalEnergies CAF Champions League finals.

“We have a young team, and we succeeded in qualifying for the Club World Cup, and we must support this team during the coming period,” the 47-year-old added.

“I have only been with Esperance for four months, and we managed to build many things that were missing. During the last period, we gave our all, but luck was not on our side.”

Cardoso mentioned finding comfort in the progress made under his guidance as he aims to develop a team capable of achieving better results next season. 

In front of over 70,000 passionate home supporters on Saturday, the Tunisian team displayed resilience and organization that got them to the final, despite ultimately being defeated.

Al Ahly win a record 12th African Champions League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly win a record 12th African Champions League 

Egyptian team Al Ahly won their 12th African Champions League title by defeating Esperance 1-0 in the second leg of the final in Cairo. 

The first leg ended in a goalless draw in Tunisia. Al Ahly took the lead early in the second leg when Rami Rabia’s header from Hussein El Shahat’s corner deflected off Esperance midfielder Roger Aholou and into the bottom right-hand corner.

Al Ahly had several chances to extend their lead before halftime, with Wessam Abou Ali striking the side-netting and Percy Tau firing narrowly wide. However, Esperance’s goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche denied El Shahat. Esperance struggled to create chances against Al Ahly’s solid defence, with Yan Sasse curling off target just after the hour mark.

In the final moments, substitute Afsha nearly doubled Al Ahly’s lead with a free-kick that hit the crossbar. Al Ahly won 1-0 overall, securing their fourth Champions League title in five years. Al Ahly’s unbeaten streak in continental competition now stands at 22 games. 

They have also secured qualification for FIFA’s Club World Cup, alongside Esperance, Wydad Casablanca, and Mamelodi Sundowns, which will take place in the United States next year.