Author: Football Sierra Leone

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.

Bhantal suffer heavy home CAF Confederation Cup defeat
by Football Sierra Leone

Debutant Bhantal suffer heavy home CAF Confederation Cup defeat

Debutant Bhantal from Sierra Leone, participating in this season's CAF Confederation Cup, suffered a significant 3-0 loss at home in the first leg of the preliminary stage.

Hafia FC kicked off their African campaign in impressive fashion, delivering a commanding win over Banthal FC this past Saturday, September 20, in Sierra Leone. This match marked the first leg of the initial preliminary round of the Confederation Cup.

From start to finish, the Green and Whites displayed their dominance on the field, led by a standout performance from Salif Camara, who netted two goals. Reinforcement Sekou Damaro Bangoura added to the tally, rounding off the scoring with a well-deserved third goal.

With this solid advantage in hand, the three-time African champions are now set to approach the return leg scheduled for this Friday in Abidjan, determined to secure their spot in the next round.

Bhantal coach Ibrahim Sillah eyes CAF Confederation win over Hafia
by Football Sierra Leone

Bhantal coach Ibrahim Sillah eyes CAF Confederation Cup win over Hafia

Bhantal FC head coach Ibrahim Sillah is feeling optimistic as his team gears up for their first leg in the CAF Confederation Cup against the former African powerhouse Hafia of Guinea.

Bhantal FC head coach Ibrahim Sillah is feeling optimistic as his team gears up for their first leg in the CAF Confederation Cup against the former African powerhouse Hafia of Guinea.

The CAF License A tactician is poised to lead the team in its inaugural participation in the CAF Confederation Cup for the 2025/26 season. Sillah brings lots of extensive expertise to the club he joined a few weeks ago.

The Sierra Leonean club will host the Guinean side this Saturday at the Southern Arena for the first leg of the preliminary round. Coach Sillah recognises the challenges of competing at this level of continental football.

“First of all, I want to highlight our team’s chances against Hafia. It’s important to acknowledge that Hafia is a three-time winner of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, now known as the CAF Champions League, as well as a one-time champion of the UFOA Cup. We need to respect their history,” the CAF A License coach stated.

Although we are making our debut in this competition after just two seasons in the Sierra Leone Premier League, I believe we are strong contenders. This is our chance to create our own legacy by winning the first leg at home. We need to come out on top, and I have faith that we can do just that on Saturday.”

In Port Loko, we prepared by playing three friendlies against Port Loko All Stars and Waterloo FC, winning both matches and drawing 1-1 with the champions, East End Lions.

Meanwhile, the 16-time Guinean champions Hafia have arrived in Bo, the second largest city in Sierra Leone by population (after Freetown) and the largest city in the Southern Province.

The two teams will compete again next week in the return match in the ivorian capital. The winner from both matches will play against the Algerian team CR Belouizdad in the second round of the preliminaries.

The 16-time Guinean champions Hafia have arrived in Bo
The 16-time Guinean champions Hafia have arrived in Bo
Cameroon's Andre Onana named man of the Match after debut
by Football Sierra Leone

Cameroon’s Andre Onana named Man of the Match after debut

Cameroon International keeper Andre Onana made his first appearance for Turkish club Trabzonspor after completing his loan transfer from Manchester United for the 2025/26 season.

Onana was chosen to start in goal against Fenerbahce by head coach Fatih Tekke during their Turkish Super Lig match on Sunday.

Unfortunately, Trabzonspor experienced their initial defeat of the season, with their new loan player responsible for the only goal in a 1-0 loss.

The goalkeeper managed to touch a low shot from just inside the area but failed to maintain possession of the ball, which did not seem to be heading on target.

Fenerbahce player Sebastian Szymanski reacted quickly to the loose ball and passed it to Youssef En-Nesyri, who scored easily from close range.

Trabzonspor, who were reduced to ten players following a red card for Okay Yokuslu, concluded the match with a two-game winless streak.

Despite the blunder and the loss, Onana put in a solid performance throughout the match.

The 29-year-old recorded eight saves for Trabzonspor against 29 shots directed at him from Fenerbahce.

Even with his mistake, he earned the title of player of the match. Trabzonspor will be hopeful that Onana can build on his performance from the weekend when he makes his home debut next weekend against Gaziantep.

Sierra Leone U17 in Group B against Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea
by Football Sierra Leone

U17 qualifiers: Sierra Leone to meet Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea in Group B

Sierra Leone has been drawn into Group B for the upcoming WAFU-A Zonal Tournament, which serves as the qualifying competition for the prestigious 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (U-17) football championship.

In this competitive group, Sierra Leone will face off against formidable opponents, including Senegal, Mauritania, and Guinea, in Group B.

Group A includes Mali, Liberia, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau, competing to qualify for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, with the top teams advancing to the tournament.

The tournament is set to take place from October 3 to October 18, 2025. Matches will be held at three key venues in Mali, which include: Stade Mamadou Konaté in Bamako, renowned for its modern facilities and capacity to host large crowds.

Stade Ouezzin Coulibaly, also located in Bamako, is known for its vibrant atmosphere during local and international matches.

Stade Mamadou Diarra H in Koulikoro, which offers a unique setting for both players and fans alike.

This tournament is crucial for these young athletes, as their performance could secure a spot in the continental competition, showcasing their talent on a larger stage and providing valuable experience in international football.