Author: Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone's Kallum Cesay nets winner in five-goal thriller
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s Kallum Cesay nets winner in five-goal thriller

Kallum Cesay scored his fourth and the winning goal in a thrilling match, helping Salford equal points with Swindon.

Ryan Graydon nearly scored first with a header, but missed the target from Luke Garbutt’s cross. In the 24th minute, Oliver Turton scored for Salford with a header from Garbutt’s corner.

Seven minutes later, Graydon set up Kelly N’Mai in the box, who scored to make it 2-0. Swindon responded with Joel McGregor heading the ball in at the far post to cut the lead. Salford’s Jorge Grant then hit the crossbar with an inswinging corner.

Graydon missed a chance to score again when Connor Ripley made a mistake while trying to clear the ball. After halftime, Matthew Young saved a shot from Gavin Kilkenny from outside the box.

Salford made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute when Daniel Udoh passed the ball to Cesay, who scored. Aaron Drinan scored a header for Town from a cross by Fletcher Holman, giving them hope, but Salford held on to win.

Striker Daniel Kanu scores as Walsall chase promotion
by Football Sierra Leone

Striker Daniel Kanu scores as Walsall chase promotion

Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu was among the goals as Walsall kept their hopes for automatic promotion alive with a solid victory over Tranmere on Saturday.

Goals from Priestley Farquharson, Daniel Kanu, and Jamille Matt ended a streak of four straight defeats for Walsall. Meanwhile, Tranmere, who scored a late goal through Joe Ironside, faced their third home loss in a row.

The game started well for Walsall, with Matt’s header from Farquharson’s long throw aimed right at Tranmere’s goalkeeper, Jack Barrett, just two minutes in.

Tranmere’s best chance in the first half came from Ethan Bristow, who shot wide from a tight angle after being set up by Connor Jennings.

Walsall took the lead in the 37th minute when Farquharson outjumped everyone to head in Evan Weir’s corner kick.

They doubled their lead just before halftime when Kanu took advantage of a defensive mistake, rounded Barrett, and easily scored into an empty net.

Walsall secured the win in the 66th minute when Matt headed in a perfect cross from Aden Flint. Ironside scored a consolation goal for Tranmere in the 90th minute.

Midfielder John Bilili Sesay joins Bray Wanderers FC in Ireland
by Football Sierra Leone

Midfielder John Bilili Sesay joins Bray Wanderers FC in Ireland

Sierra Leone Premier League team Bhantal FC has announced that midfielder John Bilili Sesay has joined Bray Wanderers FC in Ireland ahead of the 2026 season. 

“We are excited to share that John Bilili Sesay has officially joined Bray Wanderers FC in Ireland! John is a talented midfielder who will play in the League of Ireland First Division.

Thank you, John, for representing Bhantal FC so well. We wish you the best in this new chapter!”

The 18-year-old, who is highly rated, comes from Bhantal FC and has already played in Sierra Leone’s World Cup qualifying matches.

Nicknamed ‘The Seagulls’, the Irish football team that competes in the League of Ireland First Division. The club, as we know it today, was established in 1942 in Bray and was previously called Bray Wanderers A.F.C. until 2010.

Sadio Mane's powerful strike fires Senegal to AFCON 2025 final
by Football Sierra Leone

Sadio Mane’s powerful strike fires Senegal to AFCON 2025 final

Senegal reached the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by beating Egypt 1-0 in the semi-final at the Tangier Grand Stadium on Wednesday.

Their strong dominance continues against Egypt, with Sadio Mane scoring the winning goal that sends them to this year’s AFCON final.

This marks the fourth time Senegal has reached the final of this tournament. They are currently on a 17-match unbeaten streak in the Africa Cup of Nations. This is the second-longest streak in the tournament’s history, after Egypt’s 24-match streak from 2004 to 2017.

Sadio Mane has been involved in 11 goals and 9 assists in the Africa Cup of Nations, setting a record for the tournament in the 21st century. Senegal has qualified for the final in 3 of the last 4 editions of the tournament.

In their last 28 matches in the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal has kept a clean sheet 19 times. The Senegalese team has never lost a game in which Sadio Mane scored, with a record of 38 wins and 6 draws.

Sadio Mané iwas name the TotalEnergies Man of the Match
Sadio Mané iwas name the TotalEnergies Man of the Match
Côte d’Ivoire coach Émerse Faé is disappointed after the defeat to Egypt
by Football Sierra Leone

Côte d’Ivoire coach Émerse Faé is disappointed after the defeat to Egypt

Émerse Fae, the coach of Côte d’Ivoire, expressed his frustration after their 3-2 loss to Egypt in the 2025 Cup of Nations quarter-finals. He lamented the mistakes made at crucial moments and the early goals conceded, which put them at a disadvantage.

Mohamed Salah was pivotal for Egypt, scoring and assisting in their dramatic victory. Omar Marmoush opened the scoring early, and Ramy Rabia doubled the lead with a header from a Salah corner. Côte d’Ivoire managed to pull one back just before halftime with an own goal by Fatouh.

After the break, Salah scored again, extending Egypt’s lead to 3-1. Guéla Doué pulled one back for Côte d’Ivoire, but despite their attacking efforts, they couldn’t find an equaliser.

“We are frustrated by tonight’s result. We prepared well to face the Egyptian team, but we made too many mistakes at crucial moments. Those mistakes hurt us the most.

We took time to get into the match. I regret conceding the first goal so early, and the second one too. We reacted well and got back to 2-1 before halftime, but the third goal put us in trouble. It’s tough to explain these lapses in concentration. We will keep working to prepare for the World Cup.”

Salah, named Man of the Match, praised his teammates and highlighted their determination. Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, emphasised their strategy and preparation against the defending champions, expressing pride in their performance despite some mistakes.