Author: Football Sierra Leone

Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua speaks after Wolves debut
by Football Sierra Leone

Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua speaks after Wolves debut

Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua was placed after making his Wolves Premier League debut in their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Wolves played with 10 men for almost 50 minutes of the contest after Toti Gomes was sent off. “I’m very happy for my debut game, but the result is not good because we lost, but I think the team showed good spirit in this match,” Jackson Tchatchoua told the club’s website.

“The team put a very good mentality on the pitch. We wanted to take some points from this match, but sometimes it’s like this. But the most important thing is the team pushed to try to take a point and showed a very good mentality on the pitch.”

Wolves strengthened their defence by signing Jackson Tchatchoua from Hellas Verona on a five-year this month.

The 23-year-old right-wing-back, a Cameroon international, was recognised as the fastest player in Serie A during the 2024/25 season. He began his career with Charleroi, where he showcased his versatility and speed, scoring his first two senior goals as a wing-back.

Tchatchoua made his international debut for Cameroon in June 2024 during a World Cup qualifier after impressing at Verona, where he contributed an assist against Frosinone.

Last season, he played 43 matches, helping Verona maintain their Serie A status while Cameroon qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations. He finished the 2024/25 season with two goals and three assists, including one in his final game against Empoli before joining Wolves.

Senegal's Iliman Ndiaye open new season's account in win over Brighton
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye open new season’s account in win over Brighton

Everton kicked off their Premier League campaign at their impressive new stadium along the River Mersey with their first 2-0 win of the season against Brighton.  

Jack Grealish made his first start since his loan transfer from Manchester City and shone on a historic day for Everton by playing a crucial role in the goals that led David Moyes’ team to secure three points.  

Grealish delivered a driven cross that was converted by Iliman Ndiaye after 23 minutes, a challenging close-range effort that he made look effortless.  

The goal was wildly celebrated by Everton supporters in their new venue, with Ndiaye becoming the player to score their final Premier League goal at Goodison Park and their inaugural one at Hill Dickinson Stadium.  

Grealish then set up James Garner, who scored a stunning goal from 25 yards just seven minutes into the second half.  

Brighton will believe they were to blame for their own misfortune, having squandered several chances in the first half, with Danny Welbeck failing to convert from six yards and both Kaoru Mitoma and Jan Paul van Hecke hitting the woodwork.  

The visitors missed another chance to get back into the match in the 74th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall handled Yankuba Minteh’s shot, but Jordan Pickford dove to his left to save Welbeck’s penalty kick.

Brighton cannot rally back into the game after Danny Welbeck chance to reduce the scoreline as the game ended 2-0 in favour of the home team.

Sudan advance to CHAN semis after penalty shootout victory over Algeria
by Football Sierra Leone

Sudan advance to CHAN semis after penalty shootout victory over Algeria

Sudan continued their impressive journey in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 with a stunning quarter-final win over Algeria in Zanzibar.

The match ended 1-1, with Sudan triumphing 4-2 in penalties, showcasing their discipline, tactical pragmatism, and unwavering belief, according to CAF Technical Study Group member Michael Amenga Okoth.

Despite Algeria entering as heavy favorites, Sudan’s strategy involved selective pressing and compact defensive organization, which led to an own goal early in the second half after Musa Hussien’s shot was parried.

Amenga emphasized that this reflected a clear tactical plan from coach Kwesi Appiah, as Sudan focused on resilience over possession.

Even after Algeria equalized through Soufiane Bayazid, Sudan’s defense remained steadfast, expertly blocking central access and maintaining composure under pressure. When the match went to penalties, goalkeeper Mohamed ‘Abooja’ Alnour Adam Saeed saved two spot-kicks, helping Sudan advance to the semi-finals.

Sudan’s impressive physical conditioning allowed them to compete fiercely for 120 minutes, and their disciplined midfield play was crucial in thwarting Algeria’s attempts to dominate. The players’ emotional drive, fueled by their challenging circumstances back home, added an extra layer of motivation, leading to their unforgettable semi-final matchup against Madagascar.

Defender Alie Sesay returns to England to pens Morecambe deal
by Football Sierra Leone

Defender Alie Sesay returns to England and pens Morecambe deal

Sierra Leone International, Alie Sesay, 31, has returned to England to joined the Mazuma Mobile Stadium. The club said Sesay brings a lot of experience from playing in England, Europe, and Asia.

Sesay departed England eights years ago after spell with Barnet in 2017 – he started his career in the Leicester City Academy, where he got a professional contract and played at youth and reserve levels. He later played for Barnet and Cambridge United.

He has also played in Greece, Sweden, Albania, and Indonesia. He represented Sierra Leone in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Manager Ashvir is excited about Sesay joining the team. He said, “I’m delighted to have Alie. He has played in the EFL and spent the last few years abroad to gain different football experiences.

“He will help us compete and win games in the National League. Alie is a leader and a professional who sets a good example for younger players. Sesay will join the squad as they prepare for the new season.”

by Football Sierra Leone

Co-hosts Tanzania to face an uphill task against Morocco in Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam is set to host a quarterfinal showdown as co-hosts Tanzania take on Morocco at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, one of the most successful teams in the history of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), in a highly anticipated match on Friday.

This encounter will mark the first-ever meeting between Tanzania and Morocco at CHAN, and it will also be Tanzania’s first match against a North African team in the tournament.

Tanzania will be playing their 11th game at CHAN, while Morocco will be their 10th different opponent in the competition.

Morocco has faced East African teams six times, with a record of three wins, two draws, and one loss. Their wins include victories over Uganda (3-0 in 2014, 5-2 in 2020) and Rwanda (4-1 in 2016), along with draws against Rwanda (0-0 in 2020) and Sudan (0-0 in 2018).

In this tournament, their only defeat was a 1-0 loss to Kenya. This match marks Morocco’s first knockout round encounter with an East African team and will be their 21st opponent at CHAN.

Morocco will face a tournament host for the fourth time, having previously beaten Rwanda (4-1 in 2014) and Cameroon (4-0 in 2020), but lost to Kenya this year.

Tanzania has shown strong defence, conceding only one goal—the fewest in the tournament—while Morocco boasts a powerful attack, scoring eight goals, the highest in the competition.

Morocco has an 18.6% shot conversion rate, scoring eight goals from 23 shots on target, while Tanzania has a conversion rate of 10.42%, with five goals from 17 shots. Additionally, Tanzania leads in defence with 45 tackles, compared to Morocco’s 29.