Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Liberia unveils former Malawi coach Mario Marinica
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Liberia unveils former Malawi coach Mario Marinică

The Liberia Football Association has unveiled Mario Marinica, a Romanian, as the new head coach of Liberia’s senior men’s national football team, the Lone Star.

Marinica’s first match as head coach will be in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 preliminary round. 

Liberia will learn her opponent on Tuesday, 20 February, from the draw that will take place in Cairo, Egypt. 

Marinica, a UEFA Pro Licence coach with over 28 years of experience in coaching at both club and national team levels, signed a two-year contract with the task of qualifying the Lone Star for the 2025 AFCON final tournament. 

He will also work with the technical department to identify and develop young potential talents domestically and internationally.

Marinica, along with his two foreign assistant coaches, Clwyd Jones and Ronald D. Moroka, as well as a physical therapist, Chikondi Mandalasi, were unveiled at the association’s headquarters on Monday, 19 February. He will later choose two local coaches, including a goalkeeper trainer, to work with.

Marinica declared that his philosophy is centred on winning, and he will consistently work with flexible plans and strategies to achieve the desired outcome. He acknowledged that Liberians and supporters are dissatisfied with the team’s lack of victories in recent years, and it’s crucial to secure a win and qualify for the 2025 Nations Cup.

In November 2021, Marinica was appointed as the Technical Director of the Football Association of Malawi on a three-year contract. He led the Malawi team to the last sixteen of the Cameroon 2021 AFCON, but unfortunately, they were eliminated by Morocco at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé.

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

CAF of Nations Morocco 2025 Preliminary draw set for Tuesday
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Preliminary draw set for Tuesday

After the conclusion of the 34th edition of TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, preparations have begun for the next edition.

The preliminary draw for TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is scheduled for Tuesday, 20th February 2024, in Cairo, Egypt at 2:00 PM local time (noon GMT).

The preliminary round of CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will feature the eight (8) lowest-ranked teams according to the FIFA ranking: Somalia, Djibouti, Sao Tome, Chad, Mauritius, South Sudan, Liberia, and Eswatini.

These matches will be played on a home and away basis during the FIFA Window of 18th-26th March 2024. The four (4) preliminary round winners will then join the 44 exempted teams for the group stage.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, AFCON 2025 Draw News and African News.

Liberia & Sierra Leone share points in U20 Opening match
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Liberia & Sierra Leone share points in U20 Opening match

The U-20 teams of Sierra Leone (Shooting Stars) and Liberia (Lone Stars U20) got off to a stuttering start with a 0-0 at the Samuel K. Doe Stadium on Sunday.

The Zonal U20 opening contest ended in a goalless draw as both teams displayed strong performances but failed to convert their attacking opportunities.

After the match, the head coach of Shooting Stars, Mohamed Lamin Kamara, expressed optimism about his team’s chances in the remaining three against Lone Stars.

He emphasized that they will work on improving their goal-scoring chances and set pieces during training sessions.

At the end of the match, Mohammed Fofanah, also known as “Fastest” of Diamond Stars, won the Man of the Match Award for his outstanding performance.

The tournament continues on Tuesday as Sierra Leone hosts Liberia in search of their first win.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, U20 Zonal News and African News.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Curtis Davies nets own goal as Cheltenham beat Port Vale 

Sierra Leone’s Curtis Davies was on the score sheet as Cheltenham had to come from behind twice to secure a 3-2 home win against relegation rivals Port Vale.

It was a three-straight win for the home side as Nathan Smith’s header and Curtis Davies’ own goal put Vale ahead, but Matt Taylor, Jack Shepherd and Will Ferry scored to secure the points for Cheltenham against his former club.

Despite a disappointing own goal, Davies was making his 24th appearance of the campaign. 

Vale threatened early on, with Ethan Chislett testing Luke Southwood twice before Smith headed in Conor Grant’s corner in the 25th minute to put the visitors ahead. 

Lewis Freestone almost levelled the score before Vale goalkeeper Connor Ripley blocked George Lloyd’s effort.

Taylor equalized after a free-kick routine involving Tom Pett, scoring his third goal in four appearances since joining the club. Liam Kinsella and Taylor then came close to giving Cheltenham the lead early in the second half.

However, Vale took the lead again when Southwood parried Chislett’s shot, and Davies turned the ball into his net under pressure from James Wilson in the 65th minute. But Cheltenham responded quickly, with Shepherd scoring a superb volley four minutes later.

Ferry then secured the win in the 73rd minute, jinking past several challenges in the box before applying a neat finish for his first Cheltenham goal.

Sierra Leone U20 Ready for Liberia Opener at the SKD
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone U20 Ready for Liberia Opener at the SKD

Sierra Leone’s U-20 Shooting Stars completed their first training session in preparation for their upcoming friendly against Liberia, which will take place on Sunday, February 18th, at the SKD Stadium.

The coach, Mohammed Lamin Kamara, expressed satisfaction with his team’s condition, stating that there were no injuries to worry about.

Despite their positive results in previous Sierra Leone friendlies, Kamara emphasized the importance of not underestimating their Liberian counterparts, as the Liberian U-20 squad is a worthy opponent.

Kamara expressed confidence in his team’s performance and acknowledged the high expectations of the country. Kelvin Sebwe,

The coach of Liberia’s U-20 team expressed his excitement about the upcoming international friendly match with their neighbouring country.

Sebwe mentioned that he is confident both teams will play an attractive football game. 

Sierra Leone v Liberia U20 Zonal Tournament Schedules
Sierra Leone v Liberia U20 Zonal Tournament Schedules