Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

League One promotion-chasing Lincoln City sign Sierra Leone's Kamil Conteh
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

League One promotion-chasing Lincoln City sign Sierra Leone’s Kamil Conteh

Lincoln City have borrowed Bristol Rovers midfielder Kamil Conteh through the end of the season. On 2 February 2026, he joined Lincoln City on loan for the remainder of the season.

For the League Two strugglers Bristol Rovers this season, the 23-year-old has 34 appearances in all tournaments.

After first rising through the ranks at then-Premier League Watford, Conteh, 23, has logged almost 150 senior competitive career appearances.

Middlesbrough, Grimsby Town, and Bristol Rovers—EFL clubs—he has subsequently visited. The January transfer window business for City concludes with Conteh’s arrival.

Conteh activated his release clause and signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Bristol Rovers on 26 January 2024 for around £300,000. He made his debut the next day, scoring in a 3-1 win over Oxford United.

However, manager Iñigo Calderón announced in March 2025 that Conteh was unlikely to play again that season due to a knee injury and subsequent bone infection.

After the team was relegated to League Two, Conteh returned from injury and scored the winning goal in a 1-0 EFL Trophy match against Plymouth Argyle in November 2025.

Sierra Leone's youth midfielder Hindolo Mustapha pens West Bromwich deal.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s youth midfielder Hindolo Mustapha pens West Bromwich deal

English Championship side West Bromwich Albion has signed Sierra Leone youngster Hindolo Mustapha on loan from Crystal Palace until the conclusion of the 2025–2026 season.

Having won the Eagles’ Under-21 Player of the Season trophy for 2024/25, the 19-year-old shows up at The Hawthorns having scored 11 goals and seven assists in 29 games.

Having been capped three times by the national team of Sierra Leone, Mustapha first half of the present semester on loan in Germany with 2. Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg.

Following on from fellow attacking midfielder Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, who signed on loan from Aston Villa just hours previously, Hindolo is the second fresh member of the Baggies first-team roster on deadline day.

The Teenager claims the move to the West Midlands presents him with a fantastic chance to exhibit his skill on the senior stage.

He exclaimed, “This opportunity really thrills me.” Hit the ground running and demonstrate my abilities.

“I believe I can contribute positively and ideally advance the team up the Championship table.

“I love attacking and dribbling with the ball, opening chances for my team-mates and for myself. I’m eager to get started.

Olympic Safi record vital win over Ivorian side San Pedro
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Olympic Safi record a vital win over Ivorian side San Pedro

Olympic Safi asserted a significant home win following a thrilling match where they narrowly defeated San Pédro 2–1 in their CAF Confederation tie on Sunday.

The Moroccans started the scoring in the 29th minute as Salaheddine Errahouli finished a quick counter-attack, slamming a right-footed strike into the top corner from the left side of the box to put Safi a deserved lead at the half.

After the break, San Pédro showed more urgency and almost scored many times; most obviously, when Laciné Dosso struck the post from far range, and Alpha Karamoko compelled a strong save from goalkeeper Hamza Hamiani.

Late in the game, Olympic Safi increased their lead through the replacement Moussa Koné, who coolly fired home from close range in the 88th minute to give the hosts full control.

San Pédro pulled one back deep into stoppage time when Amalaman Allou converted from inside the box following an assist from Laciné Dosso, but the goal came too late to change the outcome as Olympic Safi held on for the win that puts them in second place behind USM Alger.

Olympic Safi 2–1 San Pédro
Daniel Kanu helps Walsall secure a point at Chesterfield
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Daniel Kanu helps Walsall secure a point at Chesterfield

After falling 2-0 down in the first half, Walsall made a comeback to tie Chesterfield 2-2 with Daniel Kanu of Sierra Leone on target.

Before Daniel Kanu and Albert Adomah attacked for the visitors to keep the four-point gap between the promotion rivals, goals from Will Grigg and Dilan Markanday put Chesterfield in command.

After a great pass from Tom Pearce, Grigg opened the scoring in the 13th minute, finding the net at his second attempt after Myles Roberts denied his first try.

Seven minutes later, Markanday propelled the hosts ahead, dispossessing Evan Weir before aiming towards the goal and scoring past Roberts.

In the 42nd minute, Walsall reduced the score when Kanu connected with Connor Barrett’s cross and headed powerfully into the top of the net. Change Finding the net from close range after Kanu headed on from a free-kick, Adomah equalised on the hour mark.

Kanu threatened with a driving run and a well-struck shot, which went wide, while, at the other end, Roberts got down well to save a low drive from Lee Bonis.

In the end, both teams shared the points in the 30th round of the English League Two.

After a hard-fought triumph, Sudanese side Al Hilal go top of Group C lead
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

After a hard-fought triumph, Sudan’s Al Hilal go top of Group C

On Friday night, Al-Hilal astonished South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns with a 2-1 victory in Kigali to claim Group C in the CAF Champions League, thereby ending a long wait for a victory over their prestigious rivals.

Performed at the Amahoro Stadium, the Matchday 4 match swung on moments of ruthlessness from the Sudanese side, who capitalised on Sundowns’ errors to climb to the top of the table at the halfway stage of the group phase.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Al-Hilal struck first after referee Mahmoud Nagy gave a penalty following a costly error by veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango.

Mohammed Abdel Rahman, an international forward, stepped forward and held his nerves to send Onyango the wrong way, enabling the Sudanese champions a well-deserved halftime lead.

Al-momentum stayed with them after the restart, doubling four minutes into the second half.

Jean Claude Girumugisha grabbed a loose ball on the perimeter of the field and fired a low shot beyond Onyango, a finish highlighting Sundowns’ increasing uneasiness and their opponents’ sharpness.

Sundowns reacted by speeding their pace and found a lifeline just beyond the hour mark.

With a composed finish from inside the penalty area, Brazilian replacement Arthur Sales reduced the gap and inspired the South Africans, creating a nervous final half-hour.

Sundowns could not find an equaliser despite ongoing pressure.

Defending with discipline and resilience, Al-Hilal slowed the game at key times and guarded their slim lead to guarantee a statement triumph on neutral soil.

The outcome moves Al-Hilal eight points and alone atop Group C, putting them in a good place going into the critical phase of the tournament.

While Sundowns remain second with five points and will need a great response in the return games to reaffirm their eligibility.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Matchday 4 fixtures – (All times GMT)

Group C Result - Friday,  30 January — Al Hilal (SUD) 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Group B - Saturday, 31 January
13:00 — Young Africans SC (TAN) vs Al Ahly SC (EGY)
19:00 — AS FAR Rabat (MAR) vs JS Kabylie (ALG)

Group A - Sunday, 1 February
16:00 — Pyramids FC (EGY) vs RS Berkane (MAR)
16:00 — Rivers United (NGA) vs Power Dynamos (ZAM)

Group D - Saturday, 31 January
16:00 — Petro Atlético (ANG) vs Stade Malien (MLI)
Sunday, 1 February
13:00 — Simba SC (TAN) vs Espérance de Tunis (TUN)

Group C - Sunday, 1 February
19:00 — MC Alger (ALG) vs St Éloi Lupopo (DRC)