Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

New NSA boss Dr Saffa Abdulai aim to transform sports in Sierra Leone
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

New NSA boss Dr Abdulai aim to transform sports in Sierra Leone

Dr Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq, the CEO of Luawa FC, expressed his delight at the prospect of revamping the National Sports Authority (NSA) as he looks forward to his new challenge.

After confirming his appointment as the new Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), succeeding Dr. Kenneth Brima, who served for over five years, Saffa has stated that he is excited about this opportunity. 

He aims to focus on the entire project of the NSA, making it more effective and ensuring that sports benefit young people.

The former Premier League Board Chairman plans to create job opportunities for the youth and put Sierra Leone back on the map in terms of winning Internationally. These were his first words to FootballSierraLeone.Net.

In 2019, supported by the government of Sierra Leone, H.E Julius Maada Bio invested Le 2 billion to jumpstart football development in the country.

The move was highly celebrated as it aimed to revive football, which had been absent for over five years. 

Football is not just a sport in Sierra Leone – but also a source of entertainment and inspiration for people of all ages. The large turnouts in football matches under Saffa’s leadership created a significant financial boost across the country, bringing joy to families.

Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai is a versatile individual who is a lawyer, a media CEO, a civil rights activist, and a club owner. 

He is highly respected for his role in reviving Sierra Leone football in 2019, as the country’s top-flight football league had been inactive for over six years. He also served as the chairman of the Premier League club Old Edwardians in a capacity of over ten years.

Nigeria pick Paris Olympics ticket after eliminating South Africa
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria pick up Paris ticket after eliminating South Africa

Nigeria’s Women’s Football Team has qualified for their fifth Olympics, securing their place at the Paris 2024 event after drawing 0-0 in Pretoria, South Africa on Tuesday, 9th April. 

The Super Falcons required only a draw to qualify for the Olympics, having won the first leg in Abuja by 1-0. Nigeria’s strong defense prevented South Africa’s current African champions from scoring, despite Thembi Kgatlana coming close to scoring in the 48th minute.

Amogelang Motau missed a chance to equalize in the 85th minute, but Nigeria’s defence held on to secure the win. 

After the match, South Africa’s Lebohang Ramalepe was awarded her 100-cap milestone jersey by the South African Football Association, having been part of the winning squad in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the team that reached the Round of 16 in the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup™.

The Super Falcons have been grouped with world champions Spain, former world champions Japan and Brazil in Group C at the Olympics. Their first match is against Brazil, scheduled for July 25th in Bordeaux.

Zambia, the other African nation in the tournament, will play in Group B alongside former champions the United States and Germany and World Cup semi-finalists Australia. They are set to play their first match against the USWNT in Nice, also on July 25th.

Future Eagles of Nigeria denied visas to play in Spain
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Future Eagles of Nigeria denied visas to play in Spain

Players and officials of the Nigeria U-15 team also known as the Future Eagles, have been denied visas by the Spanish Embassy to take part in the UEFA U-16 Development Tournament starting on Friday.

The Nigerian Football Federation confirmed the news via Twitter that members of Nigeria’s junior football team have been denied visas to attend a UEFA U16 Development Tournament in Spain.
The reason for the visa denials for the under-15 football team is currently unknown, and the Spanish authorities have not yet commented on the matter. Both players and officials were affected.

The Future Eagles were set to play against Belgium, Italy, and England in the Uefa Under-16 Youth Development Tournament. Nigerian athletes often face visa denials even when they fulfil all the requirements. 

This is not the first time Nigerian footballers faced visa issues; previously, Nigeria’s national football team withdrew from a friendly match against Argentina in the US.

Dreams FC to face tricky Zamalek's CAF Confederation Semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dreams to face Zamalek in tricky Confederation Semis

Dreams FC will represent Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup Semi-Finals after defeating Stade Malien of Mali on Sunday, April 7.

The Ghanaian side will face a tough challenge against the Egyptian team, Zamalek. 

Zamalek will host the first leg of their match in Cairo on April 21, while the second leg will be played on April 28 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

In their previous game, Dreams FC won an impressive 2-1 victory in Mali. They came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw in their most recent match, which secured their place in the next stage of the CAF Inter-Club competition. 

This is the first time that Dreams FC has participated in the CAF Interclub semi-finals, making them the first Ghanaian club in 20 years to reach the knockout stages of a CAF Interclub competition.

Despite their 2-1 away win in their previous match, Dreams FC approached the game cautiously, allowing the 2009 champions to have more possession in the hopes of catching them on the break. This is a historic moment for Dreams FC, as they are now near continental glory.

Dreams FC became the first Ghanaian club to reach the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals since 2004 when Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak achieved the feat in the tournament’s inaugural edition.


Cairo’s Zamalek drew 1-1 with Modern Future FC to reach Confederation Cup semi-finals.

 

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Abu Komeh's brace helps Bo Rangers maintain top spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Komeh’s brace helps Rangers maintain league lead

Bo Rangers, the reigning champions of Sierra Leone, won their 13th match of the Leone Rock Premier League against Kholifa Stars with a 3-0 victory, maintaining their position at the top of the league table.

In their pursuit of another championship title, Coach John Keister’s team knows that only a win will secure their spot – two points ahead of their closest rivals, FC Kallon with a game at hand.

Striker Abu Komeh scored two goals and Mohamadu Lamin scored one during the first half, which proved crucial in securing their victory at the Southern Arena on Sunday.

The hosts dominated the game from the start, and their efforts paid off in the 8th minute when Abu Komeh scored the first goal. Four minutes later, Mohamadu Lamin doubled their lead.

Komeh’s second goal came in the 20th minute, which helped Bo Rangers preserve their position two points ahead of FC Kallon and seven points ahead of Bhantal FC.

In other matches, East End Lions won 4-1 against Lamboi FC at the Sierra Leone Football Association playing turf – while FC Kallon secured a 2-0 victory against Kahunla Rangers as they keep tabs with league leaders.

FC Kallon secured a 2-0 victory against Kahunla Rangers as they keep tabs with league leaders.
FC Kallon secured a 2-0 victory against Kahunla Rangers as they keep tabs with league leaders.