Author: Football Sierra Leone

Benni McCarthy names Kenya final squad for FIFA World Cup qualifying ties
by Football Sierra Leone

Benni McCarthy names Kenya final roster for FIFA World Cup qualifying ties

Benni McCarthy has revealed his final roster for Kenya’s last two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast.

Standing 11 points behind Ivory Coast, both games will take place away from home, signaling the end of the Harambee Stars’ qualification effort.

Kenya will first compete against Burundi on October 9, 2025, at Intwari Stadium, with the match scheduled to begin at 4pm EAT, followed by their final game against Ivory Coast on October 14, 2025, starting at 10pm EAT at Alassane Outtara Stadium.

Currently positioned fifth in the group with nine points, the Harambee Stars are eager to conclude their qualification journey positively. The squad will assemble for training in early October, with the final traveling squad to be confirmed after medical evaluations and fitness checks.

Final Squad;

Goalkeepers

Faruk Shikhalo, Byrne Omondi, Brian Bwire

Defenders

Manzur Suleiman, Vincent Harper, Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija, Collins Sichenje, Michael Kibwage, Ronney Onyango, Abud Omar, Daniel Sakari

Midfielders

Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire, Austine Odhiambo

Wingers

William Lenkupae, Job Ochieng, Boniface Muchiri

Strikers

Michael Olunga, Ryan Ogam, Lawrence Okoth

CAF Confederation Cup features exciting second-leg ties
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF Confederation Cup features exciting second-leg ties

There are exciting matches in today's second-leg matches of the first Preliminary Round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, as teams compete for spots in the final qualifying round in October.

Some clubs will return home with small advantages, while well-known teams must recover from losses in the first leg in front of their fans. After a weekend full of surprises and close games, these matches feel like knockout rounds: stay calm, manage the game, and you could reach the group stage in November.

Chiefs under pressure, Kabuscorp sensing an upset

Kaizer Chiefs lost 1–0 in the first leg and need to win against Kabuscorp from Angola, who will try to counterattack in South Africa. Mighty Wanderers have a 1–0 lead over Jwaneng Galaxy from Botswana. If Wanderers score early, it will change the game; otherwise, expect strong pressure from the hosts.

Otohô’s 2–1 victory over Primeiro de Agosto in Angola was one of the standout results from the first leg. They need to stay organized and strong in the return match to advance.

Kotoko’s thrilling match continues in Ilorin

Few first legs were as exciting as the 4–3 game in Accra, where Kotoko narrowly won. Expect quick action from the start as Kotoko relies on James Ablorh’s runs during counterattacks, while Kwara needs to strengthen their defense to avoid being exposed again.

Kassi Théodore scored a neat goal in Cameroon, giving San Pedro a 1–0 advantage with an important away goal. Aigle Royal was unable to score in Yaoundé and must attack in Côte d’Ivoire, which could benefit San Pedro’s ability to use wide players.

Hafia and Stade Tunisien in control

Hafia has a strong lead after winning 3–0 against Bhantal in Sierra Leone. The Guinean team will play carefully at home. Stade Tunisien also has a 2–0 lead and controlled the midfield in the first leg. Though SNIM from Mauritania will have little to lose when they face Stade Tunisien, they need to be cautious.

East African derby remains tight

The thrilling 2–2 draw in Kampala between NEC from Uganda and Nairobi United sets up an exciting rematch. The Ugandan team plays aggressively and will try to capitalize on this in the return match.

FC Libreville’s 2–0 win over Zesco United came from a strong start and solid defense. The Zambians need to push the pace, but they also must be careful to defend against quick counterattacks. An early goal for Zesco could change the game’s atmosphere.

These second leg matches are scheduled from September 26 to 28. The aggregate winners will advance to the Second Preliminary Round on October 17-19 and 24-26, edging closer to the group stage on November 21.

Ruth Bawoh's strike helps Sierra Leone girls closer to U17 glory
by Football Sierra Leone

Ruth Bawoh’s strike helps Sierra Leone girls closer to U17 glory

A dramatic equaliser in the 87th minute from Ruth Bawoh secured a crucial 1-1 draw against Senegal in the Liberian Capital on Tuesday.

Her pivotal performance not only saved a point but also earned her the Player of the Match title.

This result keeps Sierra Leone’s U17 girls unbeaten and solidly atop the standings with seven points from three games.

With only one match left against hosts Liberia, the situation is straightforward: a draw will suffice to make Sierra Leone champions in the inaugural WAFU A U17 Girls Championship.

This is a significant chance for the young team to make their mark in regional football.

On the other hand, Senegal is in second place with four points and must win their final match against Liberia.

To maintain their dwindling title chances, they require not just a win but also a favorable goal difference—a challenging feat considering the tournament’s competitive nature.

Her pivotal performance not only saved a point but also earned her the Player of the Match title.
Her pivotal performance not only saved a point but also earned her the Player of the Match title.
Juma Bah's Nice kick off UEFA Europa League against Roma
by Football Sierra Leone

Juma Bah’s Nice kick off UEFA Europa League campaign against Roma

The group stage of the UEFA Europa League is set to commence for a second season, with each team scheduled to play nine matches on Wednesday, September 24, and Thursday, September 25.

Sierra Leone International Juma Bah will be a key player in defence as two-time runners-up Roma kick off their season against Nice, a team they have never faced in any UEFA tournament before.

This Wednesday, OGC Nice will play its first match in the Europa League at home against AS Roma (kick-off at 9 p.m.). Take a look at images from today’s training session.

Bah, 19, has been a crucial player in Nice’s defence since his loan transfer from Manchester City, participating in every match this season.

On January 27, 2025, Manchester City announced that Bah was registered as a player for the club and revealed that he would be loaned to Ligue 1 team Lens in France. Later that same year, on June 25, he transferred to another Ligue 1 club, Nice, on loan for the 2025–26 season.

The French team has been experiencing mixed results since the start of the new Ligue 1 campaign, having recorded two wins and three losses in their first five matches.

The Italian team, on the other hand, recorded three victories and one loss in their first four Serie A league matches.

Roma (ITA)

UEFA coefficient ranking: 14

How they qualified: Fifth in Italy

Last season: Europa League quarter-finals (L3-4 vs Athletic Club)

Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Runners-up (1990/91, 2022/23)

Nice (FRA) 

UEFA coefficient ranking: 94

How they qualified: Champions League third qualifying round

Last season: League phase (35/36)

Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Third round (1972/73)

Wednesday 24 September

All kick-off times 21:00 CET unless stated

PAOK vs M. Tel-Aviv (18:45)

Midtjylland vs Sturm Graz (18:45)

GNK Dinamo vs Fenerbahçe

Real Betis vs Nottingham Forest

Braga vs Feyenoord

Crvena Zvezda vs Celtic

Freiburg vs Basel

Nice vs Roma

Malmö vs Ludogorets

CAF Confederation Cup wrap-up: Asante Kotoko beat Kwara United
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF Confederation Cup wrap-up: Asante Kotoko beat Kwara United

Ghana's Asante Kotoko 4-3 against Kwara United from Nigeria on Sunday in the first leg of the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup qualifying.

The match took place at the national stadium in Accra. Kotoko took the lead twice in the first half with goals from Emmanuel Antwi and Albert Amoah. However, Johnmark Atule equalised for Kwara twice, making it 2-2 at halftime.

In the second half, Kotoko pulled ahead again with goals from Joseph Ablorh and Amoah, who scored from a penalty. Kwara managed to score again when Abdulraheem Shola found the net five minutes before the end.

The second leg is on September 28 in Abeokuta, about 100 kilometres north of Lagos.

Kotoko seeks to reclaim its strength in African football, having reached the CAF Champions League finals seven times and winning twice between 1967 and 1993. They also lost the first Confederation Cup final in 2004 to Hearts of Oak.

Kwara competes in the Confederation Cup for the third time, previously exiting the qualifying phase against the Moroccan team Renaissance Berkane.

In another match, Abia Warriors drew 1-1 with Malian club Djoliba, thanks to a goal from Chukwuemeka Obioma.

South African team Kaizer Chiefs lost 1-0 to Angolan club Kabuscorp, with Edo Bokota scoring. Chiefs have only won one trophy in the last ten seasons, the FA Cup final against Orlando Pirates, as coach Nasreddine Nabi couldn’t travel to Angola, leaving assistant coaches in charge.

Results – First Preliminary Round (First legs)

16 September
Forestiers FC (Seychelles) 1–0 15 de Agosto (Equatorial Guinea)

19 September
Welayta Dicha (Ethiopia) 0–0 Al-Ittihad (Libya)
Aigle Royal (Cameroon) 0–1 San Pedro (Côte d’Ivoire)
USFA (Burkina Faso) 1–0 Gbohloe-su (Togo)
Nigelac (Niger) 0–0 Olympique de Safi (Morocco)

20 September
El Merriekh Bentiu (South Sudan) 0–2 Azam (Tanzania)
Flambeau du Centre (Burundi) 2–1 Al Akhdar (Libya)
Madani (Sudan) 1–0 Étoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia)
FC 105 Libreville (Gabon) 2–0 ZESCO United (Zambia)
Bhantal (Senegal) 0–3 Hafia (Guinea)
Singida Black Stars (Tanzania) 1–0 Rayon Sports (Rwanda)
Stade Tunisien (Tunisia) 2–0 SNIM (Mauritania)
Kabuscorp (Angola) 1–0 Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
NEC FC (Uganda) 2–2 Nairobi United (Kenya)

21 September
Generation Foot (Senegal) 1–1 Académie de FAD (Côte d’Ivoire)
Black Man Warrior (Liberia) 0–0 Coton FC (Benin)
Abia Warriors (Nigeria) 1–1 Djoliba (Mali)
Asante Kotoko (Ghana) 4–3 Kwara United (Nigeria)
15 de Agosto (Equatorial Guinea) 4–0 Forestiers FC (Seychelles)
Primeiro de Agosto (Angola) 1–2 Otohô d’Oyo (Congo)
Port (Djibouti) 1–2 KMKM (Zanzibar)
Dekedda (Somalia) 1–0 Zamala Ruwaba (Sudan)
Ferroviário Maputo (Mozambique) 1–1 AS Fanalamanga (Madagascar)
Mighty Wanderers (Malawi) 1–0 Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana)

Second-leg dates: 26–28 September 2025.