Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Rodney Michael set for Xylotymbou debut in Cyprus
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Rodney Michael set for Xylotymbou debut in Cyprus

Former Craig Bellamy Academy graduate Rodney Michael is set to make his debut with Cyprus’ second-tier side Podosfairikos Omilos Xylotymbou on Sunday.

On Friday, Xylotymbou announced his signing on their official Instagram page, welcoming Sierra Leone International.

P.O Xylotymbou will host Akritas Chlorakas in round three of the Cypriot Second Division at the Achna Stadium. 

Michael, 24, who started his professional career in 2021 with South Georgia Tormenta FC, signed on a year deal with an option for another year.

Last season, the attacker made 14 league appearances with FK Mornar in the Montenegrin First League, scoring one goal and four assists.

Michael made his professional debut on 19 June 2021, appearing as a 56th-minute substitute during a 3–1 win over Greenville Triumph. He netted his first professional goal on 30 June 2021, scoring Tormenta’s lone goal in a 2–1 loss to Toronto FC II.

The attacker has had spells with Tormenta in the USL Championship, Indy Eleven, and FK Mornar in the Montenegrin First League.

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Ghanaians dash FC Kallon Confederation Cup group stage dreams
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghanaians dash Kallon Confederation Cup group stage dreams

Sierra Leone CAF Confederation Cup representative FC Kallon has been eliminated by Ghanaian side Dreams FC after a 1-1 full-time scoreline at the SKD stadium in Liberia On Saturday.

Dreams took an early lead through Agyenim Boateng in the 3rd minute from the penalty spot. Kallon, who was on the verge of making history, rallied for an equaliser late on to make it 1-1 but was a little too late.

The Ghanain side won the first leg 2-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium. As a result, they made history of their own by reaching the competition group stage for the first time with a 3-2 aggregate over two legs.

They become the second Ghanaian side to have reached this stage of the competition since Asante Kotoko in 2019.

Dreams went on to qualify unbeaten against Guinean side Milo FC and FC Kallon in both preliminary matches.

 No Sierra Leonean club have reached the group stage of the second-tier competition of African club football since it was introduced in 2004.

In 2004, CAF merged the African Cup Winners’ Cup created in 1975 with the CAF Cup introduced in 1992 to form a new competition called the Confederation Cup, which has since been considered the second African club competition.

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Shanghai Port FC has been impressive this season after a nervy 2022 campaign. Shanghai Port beat Nantong Zhiyun 1-0 in Friday's 27th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL).
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Issa Kallon’s Shanghai Port a win away from Chinese title

Shanghai Port FC has been impressive this season after a nervy 2022 campaign. Port beat Nantong Zhiyun 1-0 in Friday’s 27th Chinese Super League (CSL) round.

Their recent 1-0 win over Nantong Zhiyun away from home only means t that they are one win away from winning the Chinese Super League title.

They have an eight-point lead at the top of their standing ahead of second-placed team Shandong Taishan, who also registered A 2-1 win over Wuhan Three Towns on Friday.

Sierra Leone International Issa Kallon started the match against Nantong Zhiyun but was substituted in the 87th minute for Lü Wenjun.

Kallon, 27, and his side can lift the Chinese Super League title if they can secure a win next match against Beijing Guoan at home.

On 28 July 2022, Kallon joined the Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port.

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Tricky away Champions League contest for Bo Rangers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tricky away Champions League contest for Bo Rangers

Having suffered a heavy first leg 3-1 defeat to their Algerian counterparts, Bo Rangers travelled to face Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad for a place in the competition group stages.

Sierra Leone Champions Bo Rangers went down 3-1 at home to CR Belouizdad in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Sunday, September 17 2023, at the Southern Arena.

As a result, Bo Rangers face a giant second-leg task as the return fixture is set to be played at the Oran Olympic Stadium in Algeria on September 30 2023.

Saturday’s meeting will be their fourth after both teams wrestled in this competition last season, but the Algerians again came off top with a 3-0 aggregate over two legs.

In the first leg at the Southern Arena, Sierra Leone back-back Champions started well when they capitalised on the 11-minute chance through Abu Komeh.

This will be the kind of start coach Alhaji Foray will be hoping for if they are to survive the wave in the Algerian city.

The Southern Province outfit departed Sierra Leone with a 23-man sqaud on Wednesday, September 27th, en route to Guinea for Algeria, highly motivated and determined to deliver a respectable result.

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Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad in Algeria training ahead of Bo Rangers tie on Saturday
Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad in Algeria training ahead of Bo Rangers tie on Saturday
FC Kallon eye CAF Confederation group stage ticket
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

FC Kallon eye CAF Confederation group stage ticket

Sierra Leone CAF Confederation Cup representative FC Kallon is in search of their first Inter-club group stage when they host Dreams FC on Saturday.

The Ghanain side won the first leg 2-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium, but with a narrow margin, Kallon as the host team at the Liberia Capital with genuine hope of reaching the competition group stage.

No Sierra Leonean club has reached the group stage of the second-tier competition of African club football since it was introduced in 2004.

In 2004, CAF merged the African Cup Winners’ Cup created in 1975 with the CAF Cup introduced in 1992 to form a new competition called the Confederation Cup, which has since been considered the second African club competition.

Dreams reached this competition stage after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Milo FC of Guinea.

Coach Karim Zito’s side came into the contest knowing their opponent was capable of goals. However, the coach is confident they can complete the job in Liberia.

“For us, reaching the next stage of the compoetition is our target- we are step closer of the two-sided game. Our obejective is to make sure we and qualify,” Zito was quoted as saying. 

The former Inter Milan and Monaco was the coach of his club (FC Kallon) in the CAF inter-clubs Confederation Cup last September when they progressed to the second qualifying stage of the competition. 

Under his guidance, they eliminated Buffles de Borgou of Benin 4-0 on aggregate – but they suffered a heavy defeat to the Egyptian side FC Future over the two legs in the second preliminary round.

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FC Kallon v Dreams CAF Confederation Second Round Second Leg