Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Isaac Babadi nets first-ever Eredivisie goal in PSV win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Isaac Babadi nets first-ever Eredivisie goal in PSV win

Attacking winger, Isaac Babadi scored his first-ever Eredivisie goal in PSV’s 5-1 win over Volendam on Sunday. 

As a result, they strengthened their grip at the top of the table, ten points ahead of Feyenoord. 

Jordan Teze’s own goal had given the visitors the lead in the opening minute, but 12 minutes later, Ismael Saibari equalized before goals from J. Schouten, Jordan Teze, Ricardo Pepi, and Isaac Babadi wrapped up the big away win.

The young sensation joined PSV’s first team for this campaign and made his debut on August 4, 2023, as a starter in the 2023 Johan Cruyff Shield, which PSV won 1-0, giving Babadi his first trophy in his first game. 

Four days later, he made his European debut in a Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz. Babadi opened the scoring in the 4th minute for his first goal for PSV, and the game ended with PSV’s 4-1 victory.

Sierra Leone U20 set for Zonal tournament in Liberia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone U20 set for Zonal tournament in Liberia

Sierra Leone’s National Under-20 Football Team, Shooting Stars, has begun training for the U20 Zonal Tournament in Monrovia, Liberia.

With a 26-man squad, the team is focused on showcasing their talent on the regional stage. The tournament is scheduled from February 17th to February 25th, 2024.

The young talents are undergoing intensive training sessions on a state-of-the-art artificial turf pitch. Experienced coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara is leading the team with the support of SLFA’s Youth Football Coordinator, Alimamy Kurash Conteh.

The tournament presents an opportunity for players to gain invaluable experience and catch the eye of scouts and talent spotters.

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

The tournament is scheduled from February 17th to February 25th, 2024.
The tournament is scheduled from February 17th to February 25th, 2024.
Emerse Fae pleased with Ivory Coast's AFCON achievement
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emerse Fae ecstatic with Ivory Coast’s AFCON achievement

Emerse Fae, who took over from Jean-Louis Gasset, led Cote d’Ivoire’s national football team to their third CAF Africa Cup of Nations title is ecstatic.

The Elephants won the title on home soil after beating Nigeria 2-1 in a packed Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe on Sunday evening.

After the match, Fae spoke to the media and revealed that he was overwhelmed with emotions and couldn’t describe the great feeling of guiding the team to victory.

He said that it was hard to believe that they had come from almost being knocked out to winning the title.

This competition was going to mark his life, he added. Fae also won the Best Coach of the Tournament award for his tactical acumen in guiding the Elephants to the top spot.

He expressed his gratitude to the players for their hard work and to the loyal people of Cote d’Ivoire who supported them throughout the tournament.

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

Sebastien Haller nets winner in Ivory Coast AFCON final win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sebastien Haller nets winner in Ivory Coast AFCON final win 

Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria 2-1 on home soil on Sunday.

Emerse Faé, who played every minute in the Ivory Coast team that finished runners-up to Egypt in 2006, has now won Africa’s biggest prize in just his fourth game as a senior manager.

Sebastien Haller scored the winning goal in the 81st minute, completing a remarkable turnaround for the hosts, who won their third continental title.

Nigeria looked strong in the first half, with captain William Troost-Ekong scoring a goal with a header.

However, Ivory Coast equalised in the second half with a goal from Franck Kessie. The winning goal came from Haller, who turned in Simon Adingra’s cross.

This win sees Ivory Coast joining Nigeria on three Cup of Nations triumphs overall, and they become the first host country to win the AFCON since 2006.

Didier Drogba, who captained the Ivory Coast team that lost to Egypt in 2006, was among the spectators to witness this stunning victory for his country.

Ivory Coast has become the twelfth host nation to win the Nations Cup title. Nigeria will be left to rue their fifth defeat in the showpiece game, and their second in Abidjan after losing to Cameroon in 1984.

Sierra Leone chart football among development objectives
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone chart football among development objectives

During the launch of the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) program in Makeni, Minister of Sports Madam Augusta James-Teima explained that football is taking the lead in enhancing the Government’s Five Game Changers, including feeding Sierra Leone, human capital development, and youth employment.

The SLFA (Sierra Leone Football Association) has initiated the FIFA Football for School Program. As a part of the program, they have trained 50 Physical Education Teachers.

This program aims to make football more accessible to boys and girls across Sierra Leone by including football activities in the country’s school system. The Minister cited the Sierra Leone Football artificial turf projects as a success.

The Minister mentioned that the government is eager to increase the availability of facilities, particularly job opportunities for young individuals. The experts involved in the program will teach at schools and provide additional training to children during after-school hours.

She firmly believes that the ongoing projects will positively impact Sierra Leone and its people. She thinks that children who participate in football at a tender age will develop physically, mentally, emotionally, economically, and socially. Therefore, it is vital to prioritize football at the school level, where players can be introduced to the sport at a very young age and be inspired to become lifelong players. This will enable them to gain a comprehensive understanding of football and ensure the sustainability of the sport itself.

“The government is committed to the growth of sports and is working on putting modalities in place to enhance football participation in the country. Madam James-Teima believes that sport is life and, if done correctly, can make Sierra Leone a developed nation.”

She ended her speech by promising to continue working with the Minister of Basic Education to train children for the future. The government will ensure that what is given for sport in schools is used for sport exclusively.

The SLFA (Sierra Leone Football Association) has initiated the FIFA Football for School Program. As a part of the program, they have provided training to 50 Physical Education Teachers.
The SLFA (Sierra Leone Football Association) has initiated the FIFA Football for School Program. As a part of the program, they have provided training to 50 Physical Education Teachers.