Author: Football Sierra Leone

Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu pens new Espérance deal
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu pens new Espérance deal

Tunisian club Espérance Sportive de Tunis has extended Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu’s contract.

The 22-year-old’s old contract was set to end in 2026, but now he will stay with the club until June 2028. This extension shows the club’s strong belief in him as a promising young player for the upcoming season.

Ogbelu is a key player in Espérance’s midfield. Since joining from Nigeria’s Fosla Academy in September 2023, he has made 53 appearances. He has also helped the team win two Tunisian Ligue 1 titles, one Tunisian Cup, and one Tunisian Super Cup.

His most memorable moment came when he scored the winning goal with a powerful shot from outside the box in the Tunisian Cup final against Club Sportif de la Médina de Tunis. This performance established him as a big-game player.

Espérance acted quickly to secure his future due to growing interest from other clubs in Africa and Europe.

Sierra Leone placed in Group C for WAFU U20 Boys tournament in Ghana
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone in Group C for WAFU U20 Boys tournament in Ghana

Sierra Leone’s U20 national football team, the Shooting Stars, has been placed in Group C for the 2025 WAFU A&B U20 Boys Sub-Confederation Tournament. Their group includes Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Benin.

The draw, which took place this morning in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, marks a historic milestone as all thirteen member associations of WAFU A and B will compete together for the first time.

Ghana will host the tournament, scheduled from June 15 to June 30. This competition serves as a qualifier for the next TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations U20.

The Shooting Stars last participated in the WAFU A qualifiers in Monrovia, Liberia, where they achieved their first-ever qualification for the AFCON U20. Now, the Shooting Stars aim to replicate their success on this larger stage.

Nigeria beat Ghana in Unity Cup to set date with Jamaica
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigeria beat Ghana in Unity Cup to set date with Jamaica

Nigeria will face Jamaica in the Unity Cup final on Saturday after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ghana at the Brentford’s GTech Community Stadium.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Challe aimed to use this match, along with the upcoming friendly against Russia, as preparation for World Cup qualifiers.

While Nigeria secured the win, they nearly squandered a two-goal lead in the second half. With key players like Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen rested, Cyriel Dessers capitalized on a rare starting opportunity, scoring the opening goal with help from Ismaila Sodiq’s cross.

Nigeria doubled their lead shortly after when Seyi Ajayi’s header resulted in an own goal.

Ghana fought back, with substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante scoring his first international goal and putting pressure on Nigeria. Despite a valiant effort, including a save from Stanley Nwabali, Nigeria held on for the win.

Jamaica, managed by Steve McClaren, won a thrilling 3-2 match against Trinidad and Tobago, with Richard King scoring a late penalty to seal the victory.

Trinidad and Tobago will also meet Ghana in the third-place playoff on the 31st of May, at the same venue.

Sierra Leone's Mustapha Bundu wins 2024/25 Argyle Goal of the Season
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s Mustapha Bundu offers new Plymouth Argyle contract

Plymouth Argyle has released its retained list for the 2024/25 season, confirming that in-form attacker Mustapha Bundu has been offered a contract for the upcoming season.

“Jordan Houghton, Mustapha Bundu, and Jack Matthews have been offered new contracts by the club.”

Bundu, a Sierra Leone international, has showcased his technical ability and goal-scoring prowess since joining Home Park in 2023, netting 14 goals in 70 appearances for the team.

He was signed from Anderlecht and arrived at the Devon club with notable experience, having played over 100 matches for Danish Superliga team Aarhus GF during a four-year period from 2016 to 2020.

Many expected that following Argyle’s relegation, he would seek greener pastures, potentially finding a club in the Championship or abroad. However, with the confirmation of a contract offer, the likelihood of this happening has decreased.

Simba set for a tough task against Berkane in CAF Confed Cup final
by Football Sierra Leone

Simba set for a tough task against Berkane in CAF Confed Cup final

Simba will face a tough matchup against a Moroccan side at Amaan Stadium at 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Sunday, May 25th. They lost 2-0 to RSB Berkane in the first leg of the 2025 CAF Confederations Cup final last week.

Coach Fadlu Davids and his team are determined to rise to the occasion in the second leg. Goals from Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui provided RSB Berkane with a significant advantage heading into the second leg. David noted that his players felt “overwhelmed” by the situation.

Berkane scores a lot of goals at home in the first 20 minutes due to the pressure. We were tactically prepared but not emotionally ready. My players were a bit overwhelmed by the occasion and the pressure,” Davids said during the post-match press conference after the first leg.

As Simba strives to score in their pursuit of the CAF Confederations Cup title, RSB Berkane’s coach, Mouin Chaâbani, emphasised his team’s aim to secure an away goal to solidify their lead.

“A 2-0 victory in the final is never completely comfortable. It’s just the first leg, and we’ll have to defend our chances until the last second of the return leg. Scoring an away goal can make a huge difference; it’s something we must keep in mind,” Chaâbani stated.

The winners of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup final will receive a brand new trophy.