Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Swedish side IF Elfsborg sign Momoh Kamara on loan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Swedish Allsvenskan club Elfsborg sign Momoh Kamara on loan

IF Elfsborg has confirmed the signing of Sierra Leone International Momoh Kamara. The midfielder is joining us on a season-long loan from Minnesota United, with an option to buy.

“I’m really happy to be here! Elfsborg is a big club in Sweden, and this is a huge opportunity for me,” Momoh says.

Momoh, who’s 20 and hails from Sierra Leone, is known for his intense style and solid offensive skills. Before coming to Elfsborg, he played for Minnesota United’s second team in the MLS Next Pro league. Last year, he made a mark by scoring four goals and picking up two assists in 14 games. In the spring season opener, he also provided an assist.

On the international stage, Kamara has been a regular for Sierra Leone, racking up six senior caps and a bunch of youth appearances. He even scored in a World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia last fall, a moment he clearly cherishes.

“It was amazing to score my first goal with the national team in those qualifiers; it really gave me a confidence boost,” he shares.

Starting at Mattia FC in Sierra Leone, Momoh’s journey has taken him through Nigeria, Portugal, and the USA before landing at IF Elfsborg in Borås. He’s looking forward to this next step in his career.

“I’m coming to Elfsborg to really challenge myself, learn new things, and help out the team as much as I can. I’m excited to get started with training soon! Momoh wraps up.

Manager Björn Hamberg says, “We’re thrilled to have Momoh Kamara join us at IF Elfsborg. He’s a young, hungry player ready to develop in our setup, and we believe his skills will fit in really well with the squad.”

Club manager Stefan Andreasson adds, “Momoh stood out to us during the winter, and we were keen to see him in Elfsborg colours. After some good conversations with Minnesota, Momoh showed a genuine interest in joining us. We’ve agreed on a loan for the season with a fixed purchase option. He’s signed, but there are still a few formalities to handle before he can officially join the team.”

Seven foreign-based players arrive for FIFA Series test against Azerbaijan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Seven foreign-based players arrive for FIFA Series test against Azerbaijan

Seven foreign-based players have joined the Leone Stars in Azerbaijan on Monday as they prepare to face host Azerbaijan on March 30 at the Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium.

Sullay Kaikia, Yayah Kallon, Juma Bah, Idris Kanu, Kamil Conteh, Daniel Kanu and Jay Tee Kamara were all spotted on Camera as the delegates arrived safely.

Meanwhile, FIFA has confirmed a format change and timing of the FIFA Series 2026 international tournament to be held in Azerbaijan have been altered following Oman’s national team’s withdrawal.

Because of rising military tensions in the Middle East, Oman won’t travel to Azerbaijan.

According to the new framework negotiated with FIFA, the competition will now be made up of two games instead of its intended schedule.

March 27 marks Azerbaijan’s contest against Saint Lucia; March 30 sees Sierra Leone. With a 7 p.m. local kickoff, both matches will take place at Sumgayit’s Mehdi Huseynzada Stadium.

Defender Alex Bangura returns to Middlesbrough action
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Alex Bangura returns to Middlesbrough action

Sierra Leone defender Alex Bangura, who was forced off early in their 4-0 victory over Southampton in January, has returned to full fitness.

On Saturday, Middlesbrough played to a goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers, and Bangura was subbed on in their remaining nine minutes after full recovery to replace Matt Targett.

The defender has struggled with injuries since joining Boro in September 2023. Hopefully, his latest recovery will see him enjoy a long spell on the pitch.

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg post-match:

“It was a very, very good first half. The first 15 to 20 minutes of the second half felt very good, but then it became open for us, trying to chase the game.

“We wanted it so much that we lost a bit of control and quality in terms of how we played, but it was a good performance in many ways.

“We’re doing our best, we kept a clean sheet away from home, we’re trying to score, we created a lot of opportunities, but it didn’t fall for us.

“Of course, we need to score goals. If we don’t, we won’t win games.”

Jaze Kabia nets a brace as Play-off contenders Grimsby thrash Barrow
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jaze Kabia nets a brace as Play-off contenders Grimsby thrash Barrow

Sierra Leone-native Jaze Jabia recorded his twelfth goal of the season as Grimsby eased past Barrow in their pursuit of promotion at Blundell Park, marking his twelfth goal of the season.

With a commanding 5–0 win at Blundell Park, play-off hopeful Grimsby inflicted more suffering on bottom-side Barrow. After Andy Cook’s opening, Kieran Green and Jaze Kabia each bagged a brace as the Mariners stayed in seventh place on goal difference.

Darragh Burns opened space on the right in the 17th minute to lash in an in-swinging cross onto Cook’s head, who nodded home off the foundation of the post.

Before the break, Grimsby doubled their advantage with a swift counter-attack as Kabia found Green in the middle of the box with a low cross, which the latter first-time finished in the 41st minute.

With Grimsby’s leading scorer Kabia joining in the action, the hosts made it three in the 61st minute by firing in under Wyll Stanway on the left side of the penalty box.

With Reece Staunton’s in-swinging corner in the 87th minute, Green scored his second and his team’s fourth with a fierce header. Still, Kabia had time to get a brace; in the 10th minute of extra time, she tapped Justin Amaluzor’s cross.

Sierra Leone's Daniel Kanu takes tally to 14 goals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Daniel Kanu takes his tally to 14 goals

Sierra Leone Daniel Kanu recorded his fourteenth of the season as Walsall fought back to beat League Two relegation battlers Newport County 2-1 and deepen the fears of the team from south Wales.

Midfielder Harrison Biggins put the Exiles ahead in the opening period, hammering in from close range as Newport took the game to the Saddlers.

Daniel Kanu replied midway through the second half, and Alex Pattison fired home from outside the box in added time to send Newport home with nothing to show for their efforts.

Walsall are 10th in the table, two points off the play-offs, while Newport are a point and one place above the relegation zone.