Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sheikh Sesay's last-minute goal helps Liberia win against Sao Tome
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sheikh Sesay’s last-minute goal helps Liberia defeat Sao Tome

Late Sheikh Sesay’s last-minute goal secured a 1-0 victory for Liberia against Sao Tome and Principe in their 2026 World Cup qualifier.

In the first Matchday 4 game, Liberia’s win moved them to third place in Group H with seven points, while Sao Tome and Principe remain at the bottom without any points after four matches.

The game saw both teams struggling to find a breakthrough in the first half, with few clear-cut chances created.

Liberia made crucial substitutions early in the second half to inject fresh energy into their side.

As the match seemed destined for a draw, Liberia’s decisive substitution of Sheikh Sesay for Terry Sackor proved to be a game-changer. In the 90th minute, Sesay scored a dramatic late goal, giving Liberia the lead and securing the three points.

Despite a late push from Sao Tome and Principe, Liberia held on for the victory, propelling them to third place in Group H. Sao Tome and Principe will need to regroup after another disappointing result.

In other Group H matches Namibia played to a goalless draw against group leaders Tunisia, while Equatorial Guinea and Malawi are set to face off on Monday.

Sierra Leone will face Burkina Faso at the Stade du 26 Mars in Group A of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as both teams seek their second win.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Showdown in Bamako as Sierra Leone eye second win

Sierra Leone will face Burkina Faso at the Stade du 26 Mars in Group A of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as both teams seek their second win.

The Stallions of Burkina Faso recently lost 2-1 to Egypt, so they will surely be looking for a win against Sierra Leone. The Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, on the other hand, registered their first 2-1 victory over Djibouti in Matchday three of the qualifiers.

Coach Amidu Karim’s team needs to either win or avoid defeat against Burkina Faso to keep their World Cup hopes alive. A loss will significantly reduce the Leones Stars’ chances.

This upcoming match at the 26th of March Stadium will be the second meeting between the two West African nations, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso last played each other almost 30 years ago.

Sierra Leone won with a score of 2-1, thanks to Mohamed Kallon’s winning goal at the 1996 Nations Cup in South Africa. Now, both teams are set to meet again in Bamako for the 2026 World Cup qualifying match. What will the outcome be this time?

Burkina Faso is coming off a defeat to Egypt but started their World Cup qualifying journey with a draw against Guinea-Bissau and a victory over Ethiopia.

On the other hand, Sierra Leone’s recent 2-1 win against Djibouti brought an end to their four-match winless run.

This victory has moved Sierra Leone to fourth place in the group standings, just behind Burkina Faso on goal difference.

Despite the recent defeat, Traore was a standout performer for Burkina Faso against Egypt, and he is expected to lead the attack again.

Monday – 10 June, 2024

  • Somalia v Botswana (Group G) | 1300 | Maputo, Mozambique
  • Equatorial Guinea  v Malawi  (Group H) | 1300 | Malabo, Equatorial Guinea 
  • Madagascar v Mali (Group I) | 1300 | Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Guinea Bissau v Egypt (Group A) | 1600 | Bissau, Guinea Bissau
  • Benin v Nigeria (Group C) | 1600 | Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
  • Uganda v Algeria  (Group G) | 1600 | Namboole, Uganda
  • Guinea  v Mozambique (Group G) | 1900 | El Jadida, Morocco
  • Ghana  v Central African Republic  (Group I) | 1900 | Kumasi, Ghana
  • Burkina Faso v Sierra Leone (Group A) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali
Cameroon brush Cape Verde aside in qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cameroon brush Cape Verde aside in qualifier

Cameroon’s Captain Vincent Aboubakar scored two goals as the team defeated Cape Verde Islands 4-1 in their World Cup qualifier, putting them level with Libya at the top of Group D with seven points.

Center-back Michael Ngadeu made a strong comeback, scoring in the 13th minute to give Cameroon the lead.

Ngamaleu provided the assist for the second goal 12 minutes later, and Jamiro Monteiro scored for the opposing team in the 37th minute.

But a foul on Ngamaleu by Deroy Duarte three minutes later gave Cameroon a penalty that Aboubakar converted to restore their two-goal lead.

The Indomitable Lions went 4-1 up when a 54th-minute cross into the opposing box was headed forward by Ngadeu and finished off by Nouhou Tolo.

The home side’s day was complete when Onana saved a stoppage-time penalty from Kevin Pina.

With the most World Cup appearances among African countries, Cameroon faced a threat to their 2026 bid due to a conflict between the football federation and sports ministry.

The government appointed a new coach without consulting the federation president, leading to disputes and power struggles. After weeks of tension, a compromise was reached.

Abu Kamara makes England U20 debut in win over Sweden
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara makes England U20 debut in win over Sweden

Norwich City FC striker Abu Kamara made his England men’s U20 debut in Croatia as they defeated Sweden 2-1 at Stadion ŠRC Sesvete on Friday.

Kamara played 66 minutes before being replaced by Millwall winger Romain Esse.

In their first game this month, Ben Futcher’s team secured a 2-1 victory with goals from Will Alves and Dane Scarlett.

Alves scored early, and Scarlett added another goal just before the hour mark. Sweden scored a late goal, but England held on for the win.

England: 1 Jed Ward (Bristol Rovers), 2 Kellen Fisher (Norwich City), 5 Ben Nelson (Leicester City), 7 Abu Kamara (Norwich City), 8 Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland), 9 Dane Scarlett (Tottenham Hotspur) ©, 10 George Earthy (West Ham United), 14 Kaelan Casey (West Ham United), 16 Noel Buck (New England Revolution), 18 William Alves (Leicester City), 23 Ben Christie (Aston Villa)

Substitutes: 4 Samuel Braybrooke (Leicester City) for Buck 50, 17 Martial Godo (Fulham) for Alves 50, 6 Charlie Hughes (Wigan Athletic) for Bellingham 55, 15 Bradley Hills (Norwich City) for Nelson 55, 3 Archie Brown (K.A.A. Gent) for Casey 55, 21 Alex Matos (Chelsea) for Chrisene 55, 20 Romain Esse (Millwall) for Fisher 65, 19 Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri (Sheffield Wednesday) for Earthy 65, 12 Roman Dixon (Everton) for Scarlett 65, 11 Benico Baker-Boaiter (Brighton & Hove Albion) for Kamara 65

Substitutes not used: 13 Tommy Simkin (Stoke City), 22 Tommy Setford (Ajax), 23 Ben Cisse (West Bromwich Albion)

Interim head coach: Ben Futcher

Goals: William Alves 11, Dane Scarlett 59

Sierra Leone FA reacts to office closure after High Court order
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone FA reacts to office closure after High Court order

On Friday, a significant development unfolded for the Sierra Leone Football Association as their administrative office was ordered to be sealed by the High Court. This action is likely to have a substantial impact on the operations and activities of the association.

The football body revealed that law enforcement, acting on the High Court’s instructions, closed their office, leaving their staff unable to access the premises.

SLFA’s President Thomas Daddy Brima, currently with the Sierra Leone national team for World Cup qualifiers, has assured that the issue would be resolved swiftly and called on staff to respect court orders.

This follows a case involving allegations of match-fixing against former Internationals Ibrahim Koroma and Samuel Barley.

In 2014, both players were implicated in a match-fixing scandal resulting in their indefinite suspensions, along with 13 others. Solicitors to the claimants are unavailable for comments.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone will face Burkina Faso on match day four, scheduled for Monday. All team activities will be outside the country, but the Secretariat’s functions will remain critical.

Winning at the Stade du 26 Mars would significantly enhance the Leone Stars’ chances of earning their first-ever World Cup appearance.