Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo's Cesena make Serie C history
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo’s Cesena make Serie C history

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo Italian side Cesena made history in Serie C with a total of 96 points, equalling the record set by Catanzaro just a year ago, thanks to their 2-0 victory over Perugia in the final league game of the season.

Kargbo, who started the tie before he was subbed off in the 56th minute, had nine goal contributions that played a pivotal role in their success after joining the team on a three-year contract with Cesena after departing Crotone last summer.

Cesena has secured automatic promotion to the Italian Serie B after finishing first in Serie C Group B. The 2022-23 Serie B season (known as Serie BKT due to sponsorship reasons) marks the 91st season of the league since its establishment in 1929. 

During the match against Perugia, Prestia scored his first goal of the season, and Corazza converted a penalty to secure the win.

“The work with the young players started last season; we believed in them, and they have paid us back extraordinarily. There was the right mix with the more experienced players who took energy from the young ones and vice versa,” head coach Toscano told the club’s website.

Cesena has secured automatic promotion to the Italian Serie B after finishing first in Serie C Group B.
Cesena has secured automatic promotion to the Italian Serie B after finishing first in Serie C Group B.
NFF appointed Finidi George as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Finidi George appointed as new Head Coach of Nigeria

The Nigeria Football Federation Board has given the green light to Finidi George as the new Head Coach of the Senior Men National Football Team, Super Eagles. 

George had previously worked as an assistant to José Santos Peseiro for 20 months before taking over as interim coach for two friendly matches in Morocco last month. 

During his time as interim coach, the team managed to beat Ghana 2-1 but lost 0-2 to Mali. George is a former player who has represented Nigeria in 62 matches and was part of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament-winning squad.

As the new head coach, George’s immediate task will be to guide the Super Eagles to victory in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic. 

The matches are must-win encounters, with the Super Eagles currently in third place in Group C of the African campaign behind Rwanda and South Africa.

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Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu has been named the Charlton Athletic Valley Gold Young Player of the Year for the second time.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Daniel Kanu named Valley Gold Young Player of the Year

Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu has been named the Charlton Athletic Valley Gold Young Player of the Year for the second time. 

Kanu, a graduate of the Addicks Academy, played a key role for the team after returning from a loan spell. 

His impressive performance earned him a contract extension with Charlton Athletic until 2027.

The 19-year-old player previously won the award in the 2021/22 season. He joins the ranks of Scott Minto, Scott Wagstaff, and Callum Harriott as a two-time winner of the accolade.

Kanu started his journey with Charlton Athletic at the U11 level. During the season, he scored seven goals and provided one assist for the Addicks. 

He also made his senior international debut for Sierra Leone against Egypt in the FIFA World Cup African Qualifying First Round, which took place on Sunday, November 19th, 2023, in Liberia.

Kanu, a graduate of the Addicks Academy, played a key role for the team after returning from a loan spell.
Kanu, a graduate of the Addicks Academy, played a key role for the team after returning from a loan spell.
Striker Alie Conteh nets hattrick for Norwegian side Mjøndalen IF
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Alie Conteh nets hattrick for Norwegian side Mjøndalen

Striker Alie Conteh scored his first hat-trick for Mjøndalen IF on Sunday in their Obos Ligaen match against Valerenga IF at Consto Arena. 

With a final score of 5-3, Conteh’s impressive performance contributed greatly to the team’s win, which moved them to eighth in the league standings.

Conteh has scored four goals in his last four matches for the Norwegian side. He entered Sunday’s match ten minutes before halftime, replacing an injured Brinder Singh, and scored twice before the break. 

Throughout the match, the Sierra Leonean proved to be a constant source of trouble for Valerenga’s poorly organized defence. Conteh completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute, and Keerat Singh Mann scored their fifth goal of the game.

Although Valerenga rallied and scored three goals, it wasn’t enough to secure a win. Next, Mjøndalen IF will play at home on Saturday against Aalesunds FK at Consto Arena.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1784593357299163382

Sierra Leone International Tyrese Fornah's Derby County has secured promotion to the Sky Bet Championship for the 2024/25 campaign.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Tyrese Fornah pleased with Derby’s promotion

Sierra Leone International Tyrese Fornah’s Derby County has secured promotion to the Sky Bet Championship for the 2024/25 campaign. 

On Saturday, the team beat Carlisle United 2-0 at Pride Park Stadium, securing automatic promotion from League One.

Fornah, a former Nottingham Forest midfielder who joined the club in August 2023, made nineteen first-team appearances for the Rams. 

He signed a two-year contract that will run until the summer of 2025 and posted a message on social media saying “Glory to God! Grateful to experience this with a great bunch of boys and staff, Promotion & Championship Football secured.”

Derby needed only a draw against the division’s bottom side to end their two-year stay in League One. Max Bird’s fierce swerving shot from outside the box had Rams fans singing and bouncing to the joyous tune of ‘We Are Going Up’ after just five minutes. James Collins got Paul Warne’s Rams over the promotion line with a composed close-range finish on the hour mark to complete the victory.

It’s the fourth time 50-year-old Warne has guided a side to promotion from League One, his three previous successes coming with Rotherham as they yo-yoed between the second and third tiers.

Fornah started at Brighton & Hove Albion before moving to Forest’s Academy in 2018. He debuted for Forest in 2020 and went on to have loan spells at Casa Pia, Plymouth Argyle, and Shrewsbury Town. 

In the 2022/23 season, he played for Reading, making 37 appearances and scoring two goals while also – providing two assists.

Sierra Leone International Tyrese Fornah’s Derby County sealed promotion back to the Sky Bet Championship for the 2024/25 campaign.
Sierra Leone International Tyrese Fornah’s Derby County sealed promotion back to the Sky Bet Championship for the 2024/25 campaign.