Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustine Williams helps Battery to USL Western Conference final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustine Williams helps Battery to USL Western Conference final

Augustine Williams helps Battery to USL Western Conference final

Augustine Williams scored as Charleston Battery crowned 2023 USL Eastern Conference champions Patriots Point on Sunday.

The Sierra Leone International recorded his sixteen of the season to help Battery to a 2-1 win over Louisville City. An early goal from Arturo Rodriguez set the tone for the night as Williams converted a penalty that proved to be the difference. 

“My job is to help the team win anyway,” Williams told Football Sierra Leone.

The Batterys’ top scorer added, “It’s great if I score, but my number 1 objective is to help the team win.”

“I’m happy to be able to score my sixteen goals in all competitions. This shows my hard work and dedication have paid off.

The victory propelled Charleston to the USL Championship Final for the first time since 2012. 

They’ll face Phoenix Rising in the Western Conference Champions Final on Sunday, 12 November 2023.

Charleston Battery aiming to win their fifth league title in club history.

Williams is on the home support as he dedicates the conference title to them.

“It’s been an amazing feeling. We call them the twelfth man for a reason. They’ve always backed us from the beginning, even from last year. The guys over here, we can see it. For them to support us, to see it all the way through, it’s been very, very massive for us. As long as these guys are behind us, we’re gonna give them everything that we got.”

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.com. Players Abroad News

Charleston Battery crowned 2023 Eastern Conference Champions
Charleston Battery crowned 2023 Eastern Conference Champions
Baciro Candé names Djurtus 23-man sqaud for World Cup 2026 qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Baciro Candé names Djurtus squad for World Cup qualifiers

Guinea Bissau head coach Baciro Candé has named a 23-man Djurtus squad for this month’s World 2026 opening two qualifiers.

Coach Baciro Candé announced his sqaud on Friday, 3rd November, as he set sights on preparation for Burkina Faso at the Grand Stadium of Marrakech before taking on Djibouti in Cairo (Egypt) on the 17th and 20th November, respectively.

England’s Bolton midfielder Carlos Mendes Gomes and Spanish forward Marciano Tchami are the latest in the draft, with Moreto Cassama and Mama Balde returning.

Group A consists of Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Djibouti in the race to the next World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played across three North American nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Here is the roster of the drafted players:

Keepers – Jonas Mendes, Ouparine Djoco and Celton Biai 

Defenders – Opa Sangante, Nanu, Marcelo Djalo, Soriano Mané, Mendes Onion, Fali Cande, Jefferson Encada

Midfielders – Alfa Semedo, Moreto Cassama, Carlos Mané, January afternoon, Fernando de Lacerda Gomes and Quiz time

Strikers – Mama Baldé, Mauro Teixeira, Euciodalcio Gomes, Carlos Mendes Gomes, Franculin Dju, John Pedro Silva and Marciano Sanca Tchami

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.com, African News.

Sebastian Bowles pleased with Luawa's win over Republicans
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sebastian Bowles pleased with Luawa’s win over Republicans

Luawa head coach Sebastian Bowles was pleased to see his team start the new campaign with a win by defeating Real Republicans 1-0 on Friday.

It took a first-half goal from Abubakar Sheriff in the 24th minute to seal the victory for the Cacoa Boys at the Angola playing field.

“A tough game away against Real Republicans. I am satisfied with the win, but we can and will play a lot better,” Bowles told Football Sierra Leone.

“We were sucked in the game too much and didn’t play the way we have been training, but the players fought hard and well to claim the victory.

Sometimes you win nice, sometimes ugly. The most important thing is the three points. We will enjoy our fundraiser dinner tomorrow and start focusing on Old Edwardian’s next match.”

Elsewhere on Friday, Freetownians SLIFA opened their 2023/24 campaign with a vital home win over Diamond Stars at the Trade Center playing field. 

Meanwhile, despite a high court injunction, the league is set to continue today with three matches across the country.

The Judiciary of Sierra Leone statement reads, “The High Court of Sierra Leone has this evening granted an injunction against the SLFA and the Sierra Leone Premier League Board stopping all Premier League games from being played until the High Court determines the issues of irregularities in the Sierra Leone Premier League.

The matter was filed by Alusine Kamara and Ahmed Musa through Teddy Koroma and Associates, on behalf of Kamboi Eagles. 

Matter adjourned to 10th November for further proceedings.”

However, the Sierra Leone Premier Board has announced matches will go ahead according to schedule.

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Plymouth Argyle confirm Mustapha Bundu suffered hamstring
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Plymouth Argyle confirm Mustapha Bundu suffered hamstring

Plymouth Argyle attacker Mustapha Bundu has been ruled out for a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury following MRI confirmation. 

Bundu and teammate Hardie limped off during last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Ipswich Town.

Manager Steven Schumacher has confirmed that both remain on the injured list with hamstring problems. The Sierra Leone International suffered a grade two hamstring strain.

Bundu’s injury is not considered too serious, but he could be out of action for only a couple of weeks. Manager Steven Schumacher is hopeful Bundu can return sooner.

Schumacher said: ” Mustapha is moving a little bit better; he’s got a bit more range and a bit more power through his hamstring. Touch wood, he won’t be too long. As [physiotherapist] Gareth [Law] always says, he’ll treat the player and not the scan, and get their rehab in order accordingly, to get them back on the pitch as soon as possible.”

With ten days to Sierra Leone’s opening World Cup 2026 qualifier against Ethiopia, the news makes Bundu’s availability slimmer. 

Mustapha Bundu opened his Plymouth Argyle as they returned to winning ways at Home Park with a 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on 25th October.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.com, Players Abroad News.

Gebremedhin Haile names 30-man squad for Sierra Leone & Burkina Faso
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Gebremedhin Haile names 30-man squad for Sierra Leone & Burkina Faso

Newly appointed Ethiopia head coach Gebremedhin Haile has named a 30-man squad as he starts his preparation for their Opening World Cup Qualifiers this month.

The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) announced the appointment of Gebremedhin on a 250,000 birr a month (net) contract during a joint press briefing on Friday.

Gebremedhin’s first task is against Sierra Leone before taking on Burkina Faso on the 15 and 21st at the Al Abdi stadium, respectively.

The new boss has previously spent a year as the Walias coach in 2016. He is also the head coach for the Ethiopian Premier League side Medhin FC.

Media reports in Ethiopia have confirmed that he will perform his Club duties alongside his new role until the end of the current Premier League season.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.com, African News. 

Newly appointed Ethiopia head coach Gebremedhin Haile has named a 30-man squad to start the 2026 World Cup qualifying preparations.
Newly appointed Ethiopia head coach Gebremedhin Haile has named a 30-man squad to start the 2026 World Cup qualifying preparations.