Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Yayah Kallon pens SSC Bari loan deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Yayah Kallon pens SSC Bari loan deal

Italian Serie B side SSC Bari has confirmed the signing of Sierra Leone-born Yayah Kallon on a loan deal from Hellas Verona. Kallon, 22, will wear the number 91 shirt.

The former Genoa player has been handed a lifeline to revamp his career after a long spell out. He is immediately available to Bari’s coach, Marino, for selection. 

Kallon featured for 3 minutes for parent club Hellas Verona in their 2-1 defeat to Inter last weekend after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in July 2023 before the season commenced.

The attacker was an unused substitute for the Hellas Verona as they suffered 1-0 Fiorentina in the Serie A round of sixteen.

Kallon, who scored his first goal for Genoa in a 3–2 Coppa Italia win over Perugia, joined Hellas Verona initially on loan with an option to buy.

He completed his Verona move in the summer but has yet to future for the club this season. Kallon featured in 22 games last season while on loan for The Yellow and Blues.

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Alex Bangura suffers hamstring in Boro win over Chelsea
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alex Bangura suffers hamstring injury in Boro win

Sierra Leone’s right-back Alex Bangura lasted only 19 minutes in the Middlesbrough Carabao Cup first-leg semi-final 1-0 victory due to a hamstring injury.

The Teessiders were forced to another alteration when Alex Bangura pulled up with a hamstring issue.

Bangura, 24, was making his sixteen appearances since joining the club in September 2023 on a four-year deal on Teesside.

However, they will head into the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final with a goal advantage thanks to Hayden Hackney’s deft finish.

It was an outstanding, battling performance from the threadbare Teessiders, who emerged from the contest fully deserving of the lead – having also been forced into two first-half substitutions.

Bangura will have to undergo further checks to see how long he will be out ahead of the second leg on Tuesday, 23 January, at 19:45 GMT.

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Bittersweet Sierra Leone full debut for Rodney Michael
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bittersweet Sierra Leone full debut for Rodney Michael

Sierra Leone-born attacker Rodney Michael would have liked his full International debut to come in more positive circumstances but was  nonetheless proud to be on the scorecard against the Ivory Coast.

On Saturday, the 24-year-old midfielder recorded his first Sierra Leone goal against a difficult Ivorian side at the Laurent Pokou Stadium. He gives the Leone Stars a consolation in the 5-1 defeat against the Elephant of Côte d’Ivoire.

“I’m delighted to get the opportunity to make my full debut and score my first international goal for Sierra Leone. It was even more special, that I was able to do it against such a huge footballing nation like Ivory Coast,” the attacker told Football Sierra Leone. 

 “Unfortunately, the result was disappointing, but we will continue working to turn things around and hopefully make Sierra Leone in the near future.”

Rodney was introduced against Guinea-Bissua in match day six of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in the final minutes of the game. 

Sierra Leone’s next friendly is against Morocco behind closed doors.

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Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu was on target in Charlton Athletics' 3-3 draw in their League contest at Vale Park.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Daniel Kanu scores in Charlton Athletic’s six-goal thriller 

Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu was on target in Charlton Athletic’s 3-3 draw in their League contest at Vale Park.

Kanu, who recently returned to the Addicks from a loan spell, scored in the 59th minute to put his side ahead.

Charlton went ahead three times through Corey Blackett-Taylor, Daniel Kanu and Tyreece Campbell. However, Ethan Chislett’s successfully converted penalty and goals from Uche Ikpeazu and Gavin Massey earned Vale a point.

Kanu took to Instagram to express his bittersweet moment. He posted, Tough result to take, but we keep pushing. Happy to be back on the scoresheet.”

As a result, the draw leaves Port Vale and Charlton remain separated only by goal difference in the League One table. 

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Sullay Kaikai nets in Cambridge United's FA Cup defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sullay Kaikai nets in Cambridge United’s FA Cup defeat

Sierra Leone International Sullay Kaikai scored as Cambridge United’s run in the Emirates FA Cup ended at Ewood Park as Blackburn Rovers came away 5-2 winners of the third-round tie.

Kaikai, 28, goal came in the 26th minute, assisted by Okedina to put the visitors 2-1 ahead following Blackburn Rovers‘ Samuel Szmodics equaliser in the 23rd minute.

Lankester had opened the scoring for Cambridge United in the six-minute, but it was a Szmodics first-half hat-trick that grabbed the local headlines before a Harry Leonard fifth in the 81st-minute to confirm their progression into the next round.

Kaikai, who made his 22 appearances since joining the club, was subbed off in the 86th minute as they succumbed to a 5-2 defeat.

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