Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Momoh kamara makes IF Elfsborg debut in Swedish Allsvenskan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Momoh Kamara makes IF Elfsborg debut in Swedish Allsvenskan

Sierra Leonean International Momoh Kamara made his debut for IF Elfsborg during their 2-1 defeat to Kalmar FF in the Allsvenskan on Monday night.

The 20-year-old began the match on the bench before coming on to play his first 32 minutes in the Swedish top flight.

The action began early at Guldfågeln Arena, with Elfsborg capitalising on strong pressing in the fifth minute. Taylor Silverholt won the ball and set up Frederik Ihler, who scored with precision, putting Elfsborg ahead 1-0.

Kalmar, however, quickly struck back, finding the equaliser in the 13th minute with a well-executed low cross that finished just past Elfsborg’s goalkeeper, Isak Pettersson.

The home side continued to dominate the game, forcing Elfsborg’s defence to work hard, but chances were limited for Elfsborg, with Simon Olsson’s long-range effort being the closest to a goal.

In the second half, both teams had chances, but Kalmar took the lead in the 57th minute with quick passing. Elfsborg’s manager, Björn Hamberg, brought in Ari Sigurpálsson and debutant Momoh Kamara to boost energy, but Kamara’s shot failed to challenge the goalkeeper.

Elfsborg intensified their attacks, yet Kalmar’s defence remained solid. With ten minutes left, fresh strikers Leo Östman and Dion Krasniqi were brought on, but they couldn’t score. Elfsborg left Borås empty-handed, suffering their first loss of the season.

Ademola Lookman on facing Arsenal after injury scare
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ademola Lookman on facing Arsenal after injury scare

Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman has expressed his eagerness to face Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League first-leg semifinal at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday.

The La Liga side has been without Lookman in their last two league matches due to injury concerns surrounding the Super Eagles forward.

However, Lookman, who made the switch to Atletico from Serie A club Atalanta, has assured Atlético fans that he is fit to take on the Gunners.

“Wednesday will be a very special game,” he stated during a press conference on Monday. “I’ve missed a couple of matches, but I’m feeling much better now. The fans have given us a massive boost, and we’re looking forward to the same energy on Wednesday.

“The first time I faced Arsenal was as a kid with Charlton, so this match is really special for me,” he said. “Atleti is a huge club with top players performing at a high level. It’s a privilege to contribute, and the work over the last month has been fantastic.”

Lookman injured himself during the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad in the 62nd minute. Ahead of the Arsenal match, Diego Simeone confirmed, “Lookman isn’t ready for tomorrow’s match. Substituting him in the final was the right decision.”

Since joining from Atalanta in January, Lookman has been in great form, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in eighteen appearances across all competitions.

Mustapha Bundu on the scoresheet in Hannover 96’s triumph against Karlsruher
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu on scoresheet in Hannover 96’s triumph against Karlsruher

Sierra Leonean player Mustapha Bundu scored again for his German Bundesliga 2 team, Hannover 96, as they won 3-1 against Karlsruher SC on Saturday.

Hannover 96 celebrated an important away victory at the Wildpark Stadium. Bundu scored the first goal, but KSC striker Schleusener equalised shortly before halftime.

Kolja Oudenne then scored to give Hannover the lead. In stoppage time, Hannover had a chance to secure the win with a penalty. They missed the first attempt but had to take it again, and the second attempt resulted in a goal. The team took three crucial points back to Maschsee.

The goalscorers, Bundu, Kolja Oudenne and Yokota, helped the team achieve this away win, which was capped by a penalty goal in stoppage time.

Mustapha Bundu on the scoresheet in Hannover 96’s triumph against Karlsruher
Mustapha Bundu on the scoresheet in Hannover 96’s triumph against Karlsruher
Alie Conteh nets winner in Inter Turku's win over IFK Mariehamn
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alie Conteh nets winner in Inter Turku’s win over IFK Mariehamn

Sierra Leone’s Alie Conteh scored the only goal and a vital one as Inter Turku defeated IFK Mariehamn 1-0 on Saturday in the Finnish Veikkausliiga.

Inter played against IFK Mariehamn at Veritas Stadion on Saturday evening in windy and cold weather. The home team, which started the season without losing, showed a strong performance right from the beginning.

The first chance came in the 15th minute when Jean Botué, who played well, took a shot from inside the box, but IFK goalkeeper Kevin Lund saved it for a corner.

IFK had their only real chance in the 41st minute when Leo Andersson shot from outside the box towards the top corner, but Eetu Huuhtanen blocked it for a corner.

Before halftime, Inter almost scored when Johannes Yli-Kokko had a shot that hit the post after a good cross from Jussi Niska. Loïc Essomba also had another shot, but the score stayed 0–0 at halftime.

In the second half, Inter passed the ball well, and pressure on IFK’s goal grew. In the 70th minute, Eeli Kiiskilä tried a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Lund made another save.

In the 79th minute, Inter finally scored. Full-back Jussi Niska crossed from the left, and Alie Conteh headed the ball into the bottom corner from close range.

After the goal, Inter created several more chances, keeping the pressure on. Seth Saarinen had a good curled shot toward the back corner, and then Prosper Ahiabu tried a close-range shot from a low cross. However, no more goals were scored, and Inter won 1–0 with a strong performance in front of their home crowd.

Ex-Ivorian international Emmanuel Eboué speaks about a difficult family situation
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emmanuel Eboué opens up about a difficult family situation

Former Arsenal and Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue has opened up about the drastic turn his life took after his breakup with the mother of his three children.

During an appearance on the 5th House Podcast, the 42-year-old shared how legal issues ultimately left him financially devastated in England, the country where he enjoyed the peak of his professional career.

Eboué, who was a key player for the Gunners during the mid-2000s, revealed that the settlement led to him losing all his assets based in the UK. “I lost a lot. A lot. To be honest, I can’t disclose how much, but it was significant,” he stated, recalling his journey that began in the youth academy of ASEC Mimosas.

“I lost everything in my life while in England. I built my entire career there; I owned several properties, three houses, and a collection of cars. I lost them all, along with my money.” He reflected on his struggles, saying, “I was incredibly down.

Living in a place where the press knew my whereabouts made things even tougher. Each day, they were waiting outside, so I had to cover the windows with boxes, just to avoid being photographed. It really took a toll on me—I didn’t even have the appetite to eat.”

Eboué elaborated on how his downfall began: “My agent demanded €1 million, and I decided I’d rather stop playing football than give them that money. When I refused, my ex-agent reported me to FIFA, resulting in a one-year ban. To escape the spotlight, I moved back to Turkey, trying to keep my situation under wraps, and that’s when the divorce proceedings began.”

He began his European career with Belgium’s Beveren in 2002, but most notably, he spent the crucial years from 2005 to 2011 at Arsenal, making 214 appearances, including playing in the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. Later, he joined Galatasaray, where he played consistently and clinched five domestic titles in Turkey.

Eboué made his international debut for the Ivory Coast in 2004, earning a total of 79 caps by 2013 and participating in five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and two World Cups.

Predominantly a right-back, he formed a solid defensive partnership with former teammate Kolo Touré for the Elephants. Eboué scored his first international goal in a 2-2 draw against Germany and was named in Sven-Göran Eriksson’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.