Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco edge Senegal to set CHAN final date with Madagascar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco edge Senegal to set CHAN final date with Madagascar

Morocco has reached the final of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a thrilling penalty shootout against Senegal at Mandela National Stadium on Tuesday. The semifinal ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, and Morocco won the shootout 5-3.

As a result, they’ll face Madagascar, who reached this stage of the competition for the first time in their history after thumping Sudan 1-0 on Tuesday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Senegal scored first in the 16th minute with a goal from Joseph Layousse after a corner kick from Libasse Gueye. Morocco quickly equalised in the 22nd minute with a right-footed shot by Sabir Bougrine that went past Senegal’s goalkeeper, Marc Diouf.

The first half had some drama, including a yellow card for Senegal’s Moussa Cisse in the 7th minute for a rough tackle on Youssef Mehri.

Both teams created chances, with Morocco’s Annas Bach forcing a good save from Diouf just before halftime.

In the second half, Senegal substituted Christian Gomis for Velho Cisse. Tension rose when Morocco’s Marouane Louadni initially received a red card in the 53rd minute, but it was later changed to a yellow after a VAR review.

Senegal almost scored again in the 59th minute with Layousse’s long-range shot, but it was saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Al Harrar. Morocco responded, with Youssef Mehri’s header saved by Diouf in the 66th minute.

The match ended 1-1 after regular time, leading to extra time where both teams made substitutions but failed to score. The game went to penalties, and Morocco triumphed 5-3.

They will face Madagascar in the final next Saturday. This victory highlights Morocco’s strong tournament performance under coach Tarik Sektioui, who previously led the team to wins against Tanzania (1-0), the Democratic Republic of Congo (3-1), and Zambia (3-1). The upcoming final presents Morocco with an opportunity to secure the CHAN title.

Sierra Leone's Hindolo Mustapha joins German side FC Nürnberg on loan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Hindolo Mustapha joins German side FC Nürnberg on loan

Sierra Leone’s Hindolo Mustapha, after he penned a new deal with Premier League side Crystal Palace, the youngster will spend the 2025/26 season on loan at German League 2 team FC Nürnberg.

Mustapha has been handed a fresh experiment with Nürnberg, in the German 2. Bundesliga team, on loan until the end of the season, following his fresh deal at Palace until 2028.

Having 11 goals and seven assists in 29 games, the 19-year-old had a fantastic 2024–25 season, winning the Player of the Season award from Palace Under21s and getting nominated for the Player of the Season award in the Premier League 2.

Since he was nine years old, Mustapha has been at the club; in January 2024, he signed his first professional deal.

Scoring in his first two games for the Under-21s in the 2024/25 season, he hit the ground running and was given his first-ever call-up to the Sierra Leone senior side. On only his second appearance for his country, he scored his first international goal there—a stunning solo effort against Zambia.

Mustapha was also on the first-team roster at the club level in a midseason friendly against HamKam in March 2025. He was put up for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award later that month.

Senegal ready for heavyweight battle against Morocco in the CHAN semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal ready for heavyweight battle against Morocco in CHAN semis

Coach Souleymane Diallo of Senegal has supported his youthful team to create their own legacy when they battle Morocco in the African Nations Championship semifinals at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

The fixture pits reigning champions Senegal against the winners of the previous three years: Morocco, 2018 and 2020 champions.

“This is a young generation prepared to compose their own history. Though we cannot discount the work being done in Senegal, we will confront a Moroccan team with really strong performance statistics.

Today, we present the youngest team in this competition,” Diallo said as quoted by CAFOnline.com.  “I would like to send all Senegalese people a message: follow us, back our team, and inspire us to succeed. The greatest outcome in this event is possible.

Oumar Ba, the Lions of Teranga striker, who scored the decisive winner against Uganda, promised fight as well as unity.

“We know it won’t be Easy, but we will try our best out there. We are joined, and that is rather crucial. I guarantee we will battle to make it to the finish.

Morocco coach Tarik Sektioui summarised the feeling: Against Senegal, we playing a really crucial match against a team that qualified honourably. It will be simple; it will be a very, very difficult game. Even with Senegal in the semifinals, our objective is always to win this trophy in 2024.

For only the third time in CHAN history, Senegal will confront North African opposition.

Before winning Algeria on penalties in the 2022 final after a 0-0 tie, they lost 20 to Tunisia in 2011. In open play, they still have yet to score against a North African opponent.

Brøndby IF confirm Sierra Leone call-up and loan move for Mamadou Jalloh
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brøndby IF confirm Sierra Leone call-up and loan move for Mamadou Jalloh

Danish side Brøndby IF has confirmed that Sierra Leone keeper Mamadou Jalloh, who signed a new deal at the club until the summer of 2028, is set to join the Leone Stars for World Cup qualifiers next month.  

The club further stated that the young goalkeeper will be joining Finnish club Vaasan Palloseura, which currently sits in sixth place in the Veikkausliiga, Finland’s top league.

This loan spell will last for the remainder of the Finnish season, which follows the calendar year. “Mamadou Jalloh has been selected for Sierra Leone’s national team for World Cup qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau and Ethiopia at the beginning of September,” the club stated.

Jens Mikkel Frølunde, recruitment manager at Brøndby Masterclass, expressed satisfaction with extending Mamadou Jalloh’s contract and securing a loan arrangement, emphasising the importance of gaining senior experience. He noted that it will help evaluate Jalloh’s performance under pressure.

Goalkeeper manager Daniel Leonthin Jespersen praised Jalloh’s skills as a modern keeper and emphasised his diligent work ethic. He highlighted Jalloh’s focus on personal development and his positive impact on the team environment.

Alie Conteh opens his Strømsgodset account in draw against Bryne
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alie Conteh opens his Strømsgodset account in draw against Bryne

On Sunday, Sierra Leone International Alie Conteh was on target for his Norwegian side Strømsgodset Toppfotball as they played to a 2-2 draw against Bryne at the Bryne FK Stadium. (Photo Strømsgodset)

Herman Stengel and Alie Conteh ensured that the visitors led 2-0 before the half-hour mark, but unfortunately, the home team came back – and for the first time this season, a SIF match ended in a draw.

Conteh, 20, who played for 72nd minutes before he was substituted, scored his first goal for the club since joining on a four-year deal in July.

Hermann Stengel scored in the 18th minute and Cointeh doubled their lead in the 53rd minute, but the home side never gave in as they rallied a comeback through Lasse Qvigstad and Heine Åsen Larsen in the 67th and 72nd minutes, respectively.

They’ll face Molde FK at home on Sunday, August 31st, in week 22nd of the Norwegian top-tier league as they battle to rise in the table from second bottom.