Author: Football Sierra Leone

CR Belouizdad sink Guinea's Hafia to reach CAF Confed group stage

CR Belouizdad sink Guinea’s Hafia to reach CAF Confed group stage

CR Belouizdad advanced to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage with a 2–0 home victory over Guinea’s Hafia, finishing the aggregate score at 3–1.

After a scoreless first half, the Algerian champions increased the intensity and found the net twice in a span of 14 minutes through Amir Meziane and Lamine Boussouar, effectively ending Hafia’s pursuit.

This outcome follows a 1–1 draw from the previous week away, where Belouizdad established the necessary foundation to complete the task in front of their fans.

Belouizdad initially demonstrated patience, moving the ball around and probing down both wings without overextending themselves.

Hafia, remaining compact and disciplined, attempted to counterattack and restrict the space in between the lines, a strategy that proved effective during a tight first 45 minutes that yielded few clear opportunities.

The hosts emerged from halftime with increased determination, pushed higher up the pitch, and circulated the ball more swiftly through the midfield, immediately putting pressure on the Guinean team.

The first goal came in the 54th minute when Abderrahmane Meziane finished off a right-side play with a composed shot, putting Belouizdad ahead 1–0 and increasing their aggregate lead.

The goal prompted Hafia to push for an equaliser, which Belouizdad exploited. In the 68th minute, Lotfi Boussouar extended the lead with a precise shot from the edge of the penalty area, finding the corner of the net.

CAF names continental referees for AFCON 2025 training in Cairo

CAF names continental referees for training in Cairo ahead AFCON 2025

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a selection of the continent's finest referees chosen for an elite training camp in Cairo, Egypt, scheduled from November 8 to 13.

The initiative aims to enhance the officials’ fitness, match management, and decision-making abilities in preparation for significant CAF tournaments.

The intensive program will include referees from Africa, such as Egypt’s Amin Omar, Senegal’s Issa Sy, Kenya’s Peter Waweru, Somalia’s Omar Artan, Ghana’s Daniel Laryea, Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal, and South Africa’s Abongile Tom. Many other notable referees from across the continent will also take part.

CAF highlighted that the training will also include Video Match Officials (VMOs), trainers, VAR personnel, and members of its Referees Committee.

The Cairo camp is part of CAF’s wider preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which is set to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

Orlando Pirates suffer heavy CAF Champions League defeat

Orlando Pirates suffer heavy CAF Champions League defeat

Orlando Pirates are staring down the barrel of an early exit from the CAF Champions League after suffering a disappointing 3-0 defeat of the 2025/26 second preliminary round to Saint-Éloi Lupopo at the Stade Frederic Kibassa Maliba in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Sunday.

As a result, they’ll face a daunting task as they prepare to host Saint-Éloi Lupopo at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, aiming to overturn a three-goal deficit.

This loss ended the Buccaneers’ impressive 11-match unbeaten streak across all competitions at the hands of the Congolese side in the first leg of their second preliminary round tie.

Last season, the Pirates made an impressive run in the CAF Champions League, reaching the semi-finals under coach Jose Riveiro before being eliminated by the eventual champions, Pyramids FC.

With new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou at the helm, the Buccaneers have kicked off the 2025/26 season with great success.

They cruised through the first preliminary round, sweeping aside Lioli of Lesotho with a dominant 7-0 aggregate score, and bagged their fourth consecutive MTN8 title in South Africa.

Currently, the club sits third in the Betway Premiership, having accumulated 15 points from seven matches, which includes five wins and two losses.

In the latest rankings from the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), published on October 14, the club was recognised as the seventh-best team on the continent.

Sierra Leone's referee Suliaman Santio Kamara to officiate WAFU A final in Mali

Sierra Leone’s referee Sulaiman Santio Kamara to officiate WAFU A final in Mali

Sierra Leonean referee Suliaman Santio Kamara will officiate the final match between Senegal and Mali in the U17 CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers for Mali 2025.

This appointment comes from the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone A. This eagerly awaited final is set to take place today, Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 19:00 GMT in Bamako, Mali.

Kamara’s appointment to this prestigious match underscores his professionalism, consistency, and growing reputation as one of the top young referees in the subregion.

“It also underscores the confidence that CAF and WAFU have in Sierra Leonean match officials, the SLFA has said. 

The SLFA sends its heartfelt congratulations to Referee Kamara for bringing pride to the nation and wishes him the very best as he represents Sierra Leone in elite youth football across West Africa.

A recap of the WAFU A U17 qualifiers after two matches

A recap of the WAFU A U17 qualifiers after two matches

Sierra Leone U17 are bottom of Group B after their opening two matches in the ongoing WAFU A qualifiers.

In an evening match at the ongoing WAFU A U-17 boys tournament in Bamako, Mali, Guinea and Senegal battled to a 1-1 draw on Thursday.

Earlier that day, Sierra Leone faced Mauritania, suffering a 2-1 defeat after their opening draw against Senegal.

After two rounds of matches, the Sierra Stars find themselves at the bottom of the group with just one point, while Guinea tops the table with four points.

Mauritania holds second place with three points, closely followed by the defending champions, Senegal, who sit in third with two points.

In Group A, Mali sits at the top after two matches and will face The Gambia today at Mamadou Stadium. Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau will go head-to-head with Liberia at Ouezzin Coulibaly Stadium. Both matches are set to kick off at 16:00 as teams vie for a spot in the semi-finals.

Only the top two teams will move on to the semi-finals at the end of the group stage.

In Group A, Mali sits at the top after two matches and will face The Gambia today at Mamadou Stadium.
In Group A, Mali sits at the top after two matches and will face The Gambia today at Mamadou Stadium.