Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker pens player-manager deal with FC Malaga City
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker pens player/coach deal with FC Malaga City

Spanish side FC Malaga City has confirmed a player/coach deal agreed with former Tottenham and Liverpool defender Steven Caulker.

Caulker, 31, who was part of the Sierra Leone AFCON 2021 campaign in Cameroon, has been handed a boost as he pursues his managerial career.

 “After a long job search and many sleepless nights, I am happy to announce that I have now found my path,” Caulker broke the news to Football Sierra Leone. 

Starting in January, I will become joint player-manager of FC Malaga City Academy in the 5th tier of Spanish Football.

I have expressed my desire to become a manager for a while now and have just recently completed my UEFA B license.”

“On a historic day for FC Malaga City, we are beyond proud to announce the signing of former Premier League player as well as England and Sierra Leone international Steven Caulker!,” the club posted.

“Following an illustrious playing career including the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool, and Fenerbahce. he Premier League veteran has been signed to a Player/Joint Head Coach role and has already met and begun to integrate his influence into the, first team squad and will be a huge mentor across the academy from 2024. “

We could not be more excited to have a player/coach of his calibre and experience here with us in Spain. This incredible coup is a statement of what the club has achieved and our ambitious plans as we move into our 10th anniversary!

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, On Twitter @bittar32, FC Malaga City News. 

Guniea named Serhou Guirassy to the AFCON 2023 25-man squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea name Serhou Guirassy in AFCON 25-man squad

Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart striker Serhou Yadaly Guirassy was named in the Guinea Syli national squad for the African Cup of Nations.

Head coach Kaba Diawara on Saturday confirmed his 25-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire next month. 

Guinea set to battle for a place in the top two from Group C alongside Cameroon, reigning champions Senegal and the Gambia.

Guinea national team will open the 34th edition of the biennial African Association football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football against five-time winners Cameroon on January 15. at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.

  • Serhou Guirassy History

Serhou Guirassy was born on 12 March 1996 in Arles and plays for VfB Stuttgart. He played for J3 Sports Amilly from 2008-2009, for USM Montargis from 2009-2010, for J3 Sports Amilly from 2010-2011, for Stade Lavallois MFC from 2011-2015, for Lille OSC from 2015-2016, for AJ Auxerre from 2016-2016, for Lille OSC from 2016-2016, for 1. FC Köln from 2016-2019, for Amiens Sporting Club from 2019-2020, for Stade Rennais FC from 2020-2022 and has played for VfB Stuttgart since 2022.

  • CURRENT SEASON 2023/24

The 27-year-old has scored 17 goals and he is in second position on the league’s scorer list. With one assist, he currently has the 10th-most in his team along with Waldemar Anton, Jamie Leweling, Silas Katompa Mvumpa, Anthony Rouault and Josha Vagnoman. 

In total, Serhou Guirassy has taken 46 shots at goal and therefore, fought his way to fifth place in the league-wide statistics. Until now, he has been responsible for 25 passes to a shot as he earned himself second place within the statistics of his club.

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New York City select Sierra Leone-born Malachi Jones.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

New York City select Sierra Leone-born Malachi Jones

Forward Malachi Jones has been selected as the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft from Lipscomb University. 

The 20-year-old made 35 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing 15 assists over two seasons for the Bisons. 

 He entered college after being named the 2022 Tennessee Soccer Player of the Year. In total, during his college years, he has scored 12 goals and tallied 15 assists in 35 appearances for Lipscomb.

Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Jones was adopted alongside his seven siblings from an orphanage at a young age and moved to Nashville, Tenn., in 2013, where he grew up.

Jones marks the fourth player to be picked in the top 10 by the Club and the first since the 2017 SuperDraft. 

The ‘Boys in Blue’ have selected Forwards Jack Harrison, Khiry Shelton and Jonathan Lewis with the first, second and third overall picks, respectively, In previous drafts, with all of them making appearances for the First Team throughout their time in New York.

Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Seattle Sounders draft Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah

Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.

Fofanah, 22, who has been a pivotal player with the Portland Pilots, has been handed a fresh start in the Major League Soccer ranks. It’s the first time the Pilots have had three players taken in the same draft.

Fofanah finished the year with nine goals and six assists for 24 points, with his goal and point totals ranking second, respectively, in the WCC. 

He was named Fofanah in the All-WCC Second Team selection and also earned CSC Academic All-District honours.

Fofanah, 22, appeared in 54 matches (30 starts) for Portland from 2020-2023, recording 16 goals and 11 assists. 

The forward was an All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention as a freshman and made the All-WCC Freshman Team after scoring four goals and adding two assists in 2020. 

Fofanah scored an additional three goals from 2021-2022 before scoring nine goals in 2023, including a brace against UC Santa Barbara on September 1. His performance in 2023 earned him All-WCC Second Team honours as Portland finished third in the WCC.

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Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.
Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.
East End Lions sack Wright after first defeat in seven games
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

East End Lions sack Wright after first defeat in seven games

Struggling East End Lions parted ways with Coach Charlie Wright on Wednesday, a day after they suffered their first defeat in seven Sierra Leone Premier League games.

Wright was appointed in October with the expectation to lead the club to glory this season. The Eastern giant club suffered a 1-0 defeat to rivals Ports Authority on Tuesday at the Attouga Mini Stadium.

Lions stand 10th on eight points following five draws, one win and one defeat this campaign, a statistic that doesn’t go down well with the club’s management.

The club confirmed it was a mutual agreement to let Coach Charlie Wright depart, effective immediately. They also handed the mantle to assistant Coach Raymond Gerard Hunter, who will take over as interim coach during the transition.

“The decision to part ways with Coach Wright was made after careful consideration, recognizing and appreciating his significant contribution and dedication to the club during tenure,” Lions noted. 

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