Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali's Mamadou Doumbia pens Watford long-term deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali’s Mamadou Doumbia pens Watford’s long-term deal 

Watford FC has signed Mali youth international striker Mamadou Doumbia on a five-year contract. 

The 18-year-old left-footed player will join the Hornets from the Malian side, Black Stars FC, on July 1, 2024.

Doumbia stands at 6ft 3in and has a combination of impressive ball control, flair, and natural finishing instincts.

The Striker made his international debut was marked by his performances at the 2023 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored four goals in five games, helping Mali to finish fourth. 

He continued his excellent form at the Under-17 World Cup, scoring four more goals, including a hat-trick against Uzbekistan in the team’s opening fixture. 

Mali went on to win the third-place play-off against Argentina, with Doumbia scoring the third goal.

The Hornets are in their second season back in the second tier, having last been relegated from the Premier League in 2022.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.

Medeama SC face gigantic Al Ahly test in CAF Champion League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Medeama SC face gigantic Al Ahly test in CAF Champion League

Moses Parker, the President of Medeama SC, has stated that the club is determined to secure victory against Al Ahly in the upcoming CAF Champions League encounter. 

Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to host the highly anticipated between Medeama SC and Al Ahly on Friday and is of significant importance to Medeama SC.

Speaking to Akoma FM, Moses Parker expressed his confidence in Medeama’s ability to emerge victorious, citing their previous triumph over TP Mazembe in 2015. 

“Medeama is going all out – this game means a lot to us. We did it in 2015 against TP Mazembe at Essipong, so repeating it won’t be difficult. This Friday, we will shock Ghanaians by defeating Al Ahly and secure qualification in Algeria,” Parker said.

Al Ahly of Egypt, record 11-time title-holders, leads the Group standings with six points, followed by Young Africans and CR Belouizdad with five points each, while Medeama remains at the bottom with four points.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.

ASEC Mimosas eye win over Simba in CAF Champions League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

ASEC Mimosas, Simba set for Champions League showdown

This weekend, the CAF Champions League resumes with Ivorian side Asec Mimosas, who are top of Group B, set to play against Tanzanian side Simba SC in Abidjan. 

Asec Mimosas presently standing fourth in the Ivorian top tier – knows that they must avoid defeat to keep their momentum going after three wins in their last four Champions League matches.

Simba SC will be tough competition as they aim to maintain their composure in the group stages, having won their last two league matches. 

The first meeting between the two teams at Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam, they played to a 1-1 draw. 

In the first leg, Saidi Ntibazonkiza put Simba SC ahead with a penalty in the 44th minute, but after the break, ASEC Mimosas secured a point with a goal from Serge N’guessan Archange Pokou in the 77th minute in Group B action.

The other teams in the group are Wydad AC, who are struggling for form in the competition this season. 

They will travel down south to face Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy, who stunned them in their backyard in the opening group match. 

The former champions are at the bottom of the Group with a single win from four outings and know that anything less than a victory could spell the end of their campaign.

  • TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Match Day 5 Fixtures:

 

  • Friday, 23 February
  • 16h00 GMT | Al-Hilal – Petro de Luanda
  • 16h00 GMT | Medeama – Al Ahly SC
  • 19h00 GMT | Asec Mimosas – Simba SC

 

  • Saturday, 24 February

 

  • 13h00 GMT | Jwaneng Galaxy – Wydad AC
  • 13h00 GMT | TP Mazembe – Pyramids FC
  • 16h00 GMT | Nouadhibou – Mamelodi Sundowns FC
  • 16h00 GMT | Young Africans – CR Belouizdad
  • 19h00 GMT | ES Sahel – ES Tunis

 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.

The Road to AFCON 2025 in Morocco Begins in March
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

The Road to AFCON 2025 in Morocco to start in March

Between March 20-26, eight teams will play home and away ties to determine the final four teams to advance to the qualifier proper joining 44 other nations.

The four preliminary round winners will join the 44 exempted teams in the group stage following the draw on Tuesday at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The qualifiers will be played on home and away fixtures during the next FIFA International Break between 20 – 26 March 2024.

CAF say the dates, venues, and kick-off times for the matches will be announced at a later date.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has tentatively agreed to hold the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco during July and August of next year, according to a CAF official who spoke to AFP.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, African News. 

Here are the results of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Preliminary Draw:
Here are the results of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Preliminary Draw:
Augustus Kargbo takes Serie C tally to six with Cesena
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo takes Serie C tally to six with Cesena

On Monday, Sierra Leone international Augustus Kargbo recorded his sixth of the season as Cesena defeated Sestri Levante 3-1 in week 27 of their Italian Serie C.

Kargbo, who was making his twenty-first appearance – goal came in the 68th minute and helped his team to take a 2-1 lead. 

Donnarumma scored another goal in the 89th minute to secure a 3-1 victory for Cesena FC. 

With 68 points from 27 games, Cesena FC currently sits at the top of the Serie C standings with a 12-point lead over the second-placed team, Torres – with eleven games left to play before the season ends.