Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Komeh's brace helps Bo Rangers maintain top spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Komeh’s brace helps Rangers maintain league lead

Bo Rangers, the reigning champions of Sierra Leone, won their 13th match of the Leone Rock Premier League against Kholifa Stars with a 3-0 victory, maintaining their position at the top of the league table.

In their pursuit of another championship title, Coach John Keister’s team knows that only a win will secure their spot – two points ahead of their closest rivals, FC Kallon with a game at hand.

Striker Abu Komeh scored two goals and Mohamadu Lamin scored one during the first half, which proved crucial in securing their victory at the Southern Arena on Sunday.

The hosts dominated the game from the start, and their efforts paid off in the 8th minute when Abu Komeh scored the first goal. Four minutes later, Mohamadu Lamin doubled their lead.

Komeh’s second goal came in the 20th minute, which helped Bo Rangers preserve their position two points ahead of FC Kallon and seven points ahead of Bhantal FC.

In other matches, East End Lions won 4-1 against Lamboi FC at the Sierra Leone Football Association playing turf – while FC Kallon secured a 2-0 victory against Kahunla Rangers as they keep tabs with league leaders.

FC Kallon secured a 2-0 victory against Kahunla Rangers as they keep tabs with league leaders.
FC Kallon secured a 2-0 victory against Kahunla Rangers as they keep tabs with league leaders.
Blackpool beat Sullay Kaikai's Cambridge at Bloomfield Road
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Blackpool beat Sullay Kaikai’s Cambridge at Bloomfield Road

Blackpool kept their slim hopes of reaching the League One play-offs alive with a 1-0 victory over Cambridge at Bloomfield Road. 

Sonny Carey’s goal in the first half proved decisive, leaving Neil Critchley’s men six points away from the sixth-place position. 

Blackpool started the game very aggressively, taking the game to their opponents and almost scoring early on as Cambridge defender Mamadou Jobe almost put the ball into his net, and Ryan Bennett blocked a shot from Carey. 

the home side took the lead when Carey scored with a curling shot into the bottom corner, assisted by Karamoko Dembele. Cambridge almost equalized in the second half, but Dan Grimshaw made a great save to deny Gassan Ahadme’s header from a free-kick.

Sierra Leone’s Sullay Kaikai played for 67 minutes before he was substituted.

Elias Kachunga had a great chance to equalize late on after Macauley Bonne slipped him through, but he hit the inside of the post.

Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns reach CAF Champions League semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns reach CAF Champions League semis

The Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns have secured a place in this year’s CAF Champions League semi-finals following their victories on Friday.

Title holders Al Ahly claimed their spot in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League with a commanding 2-0 win over Tanzanian side Simba on Friday night. Omar El-Sulaya and Mahmoud Kahraba scored the goals at Cairo International Stadium.

Al Ahly will now face the winner of the TP Mazembe and Petro de Luanda match in the semi-finals as they aim to retain their title.

On the other hand, Mamelodi Sundowns, the South African giants, clinched their spot in the semi-finals after a tense penalty shootout victory against Young Africans on Friday. 

Young Africans proved to be formidable adversaries, fiercely contesting every ball and frustrating their South African counterparts.

The South African team had to dig deep to overcome their resilient Tanzanian opponents, and the match ended in a goalless draw after extra time. The dramatic shootout ultimately ended 3-2 in favour of Sundowns.

Sundowns are through to the final and will face the winner of ASEC Mimosas vs Esperance.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

In Africa: Nigeria third as Morocco retain top spot in Fifa ranking 

On April 4th 2024, FIFA released its latest rankings, showing progress from African nations. Nigeria, a finalist at the recent CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, jumped to the 30th in the world rankings and third in Africa ahead of Egypt, Ivory Coast and Tunisia. 

They also secured the third position in Africa, following closely behind Senegal and Morocco. 

The Atlas Lions are currently in the 13th spot globally and have retained the top position in Africa. Senegal, ranking 17th in the world – holds the second position in Africa. 

Cote d’Ivoire is now ranked 38th globally and 5th in Africa. Egypt follows, securing the 4th position in Africa, while Tunisia and Algeria remain at the 41st and 43rd spots globally. 

Sierra Leone, who were not in action during the Fifa International window in March, remained static in the 126 position and 35th in Africa. 

Mali moved up three places to occupy the 44th spot. The world champions, Argentina, lead the rankings, followed by France and Belgium.

Mohamed Sankoh scores brace as Heracles Almelo thrash AZ Alkmaar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sankoh scores brace as Heracles Almelo thrash AZ Alkmaar

On Wednesday evening in week 28 of the Eredivisie, Heracles Almelo shocked AZ Alkmaar with a 5-0 win, thanks to a brace from Mohamed Sankoh.

The Sierra Leone native, on loan from Vitesse, scored his sixth goal of the season for Heracles Almelo. With this win, Heracles has moved to 13th and is now seven points above the bottom three.

AZ arrived in Almelo with a good record, but 20 minutes into the game, the home team took the lead thanks to a long-range goal by Brian De Keersmaecker. 

The visitor’s defence crumbled before halftime as Riechedly Bazoer and Kristijan Belic conceded two penalties. Jizz Hornkamp converted both penalties, extending the lead to 3-0 at halftime.

After the recess, Pascal Jansen, the coach of AZ, made a double change by replacing Belic and Wouter Goes with Ruben van Bommel and Jayden Addai. Unfortunately, it did not help AZ to mount a comeback as Heracles managed to keep them out.

In the 88th minute of the game, Mohammed Sankoh replaced Hornkamp, and he quickly scored a double, which led to AZ’s 5-0 loss.

AZ is four points behind Twente, who can take control of the Champions League spot when they face Heerenveen.