Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara nets as Portsmouth & Derby shared top-table spoils

Abu Kamara nets as Portsmouth & Derby share top-table spoils

In Tuesday’s match at Fratton Park, Abu Kamara, a native from Sierra Leone, was on target for Portsmouth in their English League One 2-2 draw with Derby County.

Joe Ward scored the first goal for the Rams in the 23rd minute. However, Abu Kamara from Sierra Leone scored soon after, bringing Pompey level within three minutes.

Both teams played well, but Both teams played well as Ward scored again 10 minutes before halftime, putting Derby back in the lead. Nevertheless, substitute Moxon scored from range in the second half – making the score 2-2.

Even though there is only a five-point difference between the two teams, John Mousinho’s team is in the lead with a game in hand over Paul Warne’s second-placed Rams.

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho, speaking to BBC Radio Solent:

“It was a pretty good performance against a perfect side, we take the point and let’s follow it up with a win at the weekend.

“The first goal was a brilliant move, I’m pleased with that and the second goal.

“The penalty shout looked stonewall for me involving Tino Anjorin but regardless we have put ourselves in a really good position with the result.”

Derby boss Paul Warne to BBC Radio Derby:

“Generally I’m pleased with a point. I think we went toe-to-toe pretty well.

“That one point could be the difference come the end of the season.

“A draw’s probably a fair result, but when you’ve got a lead like that, it’s disappointing to lose it to a screamer like that which could’ve gone anywhere.

“I’m pleased for Joe Ward. He’s really come into his own in the last couple of months.”

Kei Kamara makes LAFC debut in defeat to Ex-club Rapids

Kei Kamara makes LAFC debut in defeat to Ex-club Rapids

Kei Kamara made his debut for Los Angeles in a Major League Soccer match against the ex-club Colorado Rapids on Saturday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO. 

Kamara signed for the Rapids for the 2024 season with an option for 2025. He was introduced in the 87th minute, just before Rapid’s third goal in the 89th minute.

LAFC lost 3-2 to the Rapids despite goals from Eduard Atuesta and David Martinez. Djordje Mihailovic, who assisted on Colorado’s opening goal, scored twice in the final 10 minutes to secure the victory for the Rapids.

Although LAFC had not won in Colorado since their inaugural 2018 season, they took the lead in the 8th minute when Atuesta scored his second goal in as many games.

The Colombian midfielder received a short pass from Timothy Tillman near the corner of the box, dribbled past a Rapids’ defender, and curled a right-footed shot inside the far post to give his team the lead.

However, the Rapids fought back and scored three goals, with Mihailovic leading the charge with two late goals to secure the win.

LAFC’s next MLS outing is on Saturday, April 6, when the club hosts the LA Galaxy at BMO Stadium.

Ahly with first leg CAF CL quarter-final advantage over Simba

Ahly with first leg CAF CL quarter-final advantage over Simba

Al Ahly’s Ahmed Nabil Kouka, who joined the club at the age of seven, scored the team’s only goal in their 1-0 victory over Simba of Tanzania in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. 

The experienced Egyptian team fought hard to secure a 1-0 victory, setting the stage for next week’s match in Cairo.

The 22-year-old midfielder scored his first goal of the African campaign just four minutes before 60,000 fans in Dar es Salaam. 

Mohamed Hany provided a great pass to Amr el Solia, who set up Koko to fire past Moroccan goalkeeper Ayoub Lakred after a mix-up in the Simba defence.

Shobeir, the son of former Egypt and Ahly goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir, has been a capable replacement for captain Mohamed el Shenawy, who was injured at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Tanzanians will take inspiration from their positive display in the latter stages of the game and look to capitalize on their opportunities to overturn the deficit and progress to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Augustus Kargbo's Cesena was promoted to Serie B

Augustus Kargbo’s Cesena promoted to Serie B

On March 31, 2024, Cesena FC achieved a significant milestone by winning the Serie C championship, with a score of 1-0 against Pescara F.C. Edoardo Pierozzi scored the only goal of the day. 

The party has already started in Cesena. Mimmo Toscano’s Bianconeri are promoted to Serie BKT with four matchdays to spare.

The Romagna team’s victory led them to 86 points in Group B, which took them 14 points ahead of Torres. This triumph resulted in Cesena’s automatic promotion to Serie B after being absent from the league since 2018.

Sierra Leonean winger Augustus Kargbo played a pivotal role in the nail-biting final match of the season played on Cesena FC’s home turf. 

Background 

On 19th January 2019, he made his debut in Serie B for Crotone during a match against Cittadella. He came on as a substitute for Marco Firenze in the 68th minute.

Later, on 2nd September 2019, he joined Reggiana on loan. On 22nd July, he scored a crucial goal during the final match against Bari, which led to the promotion of the club to Serie B.

On 20 September 2020, Kargbo debuted in Serie A for Crotone during a 1-4 away defeat against Genoa. 

The former Reggiana was then loaned back to Reggiana on 29 September 2020. Afterwards, on 26 August 2023, Kargbo signed a three-year deal with Cesena.

Sierra Leone's Augustus Kargbo's Cesena was promoted to Serie B
Sierra Leone's Augustus Kargbo's Cesena was promoted to Serie B
Striker Amadou Bakayoko takes his Dundee tally to seven

Striker Amadou Bakayoko takes his Dundee tally to seven

On Saturday, Sierra Leone International Amadou Bakayoko recorded his seventh of the season as he helped Dundee to a 2-1 win over St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League.

Dundee secured a crucial win against St Johnstone in the Tayside derby in the Scottish Premiership, thanks to a late goal from Sierra Leone’s International Amadou Bakayoko in the 80th-minute

The win moved Dundee up to sixth in the league table, one point clear of Hibernian with a game in hand. 

Lyall Cameron opened the scoring for the visitors in the sixth minute of the game with a beautiful lob over the goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov from distance. 

St Johnstone replied in the 60th minute with a fantastic acrobatic overhead kick from Adama Sidibeh, equalizing the match.

However, Bakayoko snatched victory with 10 minutes to play as he slid in Luke McCowan’s cross.