Author: Football Sierra Leone

Egypt's Mohamed Salah wins Football Writers' Award
by Football Sierra Leone

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah wins Football Writers’ Award

Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has won the Football Writers’ Association award for the best men’s  player of the season.

Salah scored 28 goals and assisted 18 times to help Liverpool win the Premier League title. He set a record for the most goal contributions in a single 38-game Premier League season.

Salah also scored three goals and assisted four times as Liverpool reached the last 16 of the Champions League. Last month, the 32-year-old signed a new two-year contract to stay at Anfield until 2027.

Salah received 90% of the votes from over 900 FWA members, the largest margin of victory this century.

His Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk came second, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was third, and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice finished fourth. Salah is now one of only two players, along with Thierry Henry, to win this award three times.

Noah Makanza's brace helps DRC's U20 Improve qualification chances
by Football Sierra Leone

Noah Makanza’s brace helps DRC’s U20 Improve qualification chances

DR Congo won 3-1 against the Central African Republic (CAR) in Group C of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday. This victory helps DR Congo’s chances of reaching the knockout stage.

Noah Makanza scored two goals, and Samuel Ntanda added a late header to secure the win at the New Suez Stadium. With this result, DR Congo now has four points after an opening 1-1 draw with Ghana.

CAR took an early lead with a goal from Raphael Nzabakomada in the 10th minute. However, DR Congo quickly responded. After missing a first-half penalty, Makanza scored to equalize just minutes later, finishing the first half at 1-1.

DR Congo started the second half strong and took the lead five minutes in when Makanza scored his second goal with a close-range shot. Ntanda then closed the match with a goal in the 59th minute, heading in a cross from Messy Manitu after a fast counterattack.

Coach Guy Bukasa had told his team to stay focused and play aggressively to beat a strong team like CAR. The players listened well and played with discipline.

In the final minutes, CAR tried to come back with several shots, but they could not get past DR Congo’s defense. This result leaves CAR with only one point after two matches, having drawn with Senegal in their first game. Their chances of moving forward now depend on their last group match.

DR Congo, however, is in a good position as they prepare for their next match against the defending champions Senegal. The Congolese team remains unbeaten in the tournament and showed better teamwork, taking more shots on target and winning more duels during the game.

Later, Senegal faced Ghana in another important match in Group C.

Star Sport Academy Management Pleased with Cita Bah's Progress
by Football Sierra Leone

Star Sport Academy Management Pleased with Cita Bah’s Progress

Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy’s management has said they are happy with Cita Bah, their left back, who has been a critical performer this season.

Thanks to his outstanding showings in the Leone Rock Premier League, Bah, 18, was a member of the Sierra Leone national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt.

Coming on as a substitute in the 88th minute to replace SS Bah, he made his first international appearance with the Shooting Stars of Sierra Leone U20 side during their 4-1 triumph over Egypt at the Suez Canal Stadium.

“As a club, we want to express our delight in Cita Bah’s development, and we hope he continues to progress,” said Alpha Fawundu, Secretary General of the club.

Bah was with FDC Vista in Russia before switching to FC Vans in Armenia before this season.

Bah was with FDC Vista in Russia before switching to FC Vans in Armenia prior to this season
Bah was with FDC Vista in Russia before switching to FC Vans in Armenia prior to this season
Mustapha Bundu's Plymouth Argyle relegation to League One Confirmed
by Football Sierra Leone

Mustapha Bundu’s Plymouth Argyle relegation to League One Confirmed

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu’s Plymouth Argyle has been relegated following their 2-1 defeat to Leeds on Saturday at the Home Park Stadium.

Manor Solomon’s stoppage-time goal gave Leeds United a 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle, securing the Championship title as Plymouth faced relegation. With Burnley winning 3-1 against Millwall, Leeds claimed the title on goal difference after being promoted to the Premier League last month.

Plymouth took the lead when Mustapha Bundu’s shot hit the post and deflected in off Sam Byram. Leeds struggled against a strong Plymouth team until Willy Gnonto equalized from a low cross by Solomon early in the second half.

Leeds had a goal by Joel Piroe disallowed for offside, although they pushed for a winner. Just as it seemed Leeds would finish second, Solomon scored a low shot into the corner, sparking celebrations among the fans.

Leeds started well, with Byram, Ao Tanaka, and Willy Gnonto missing chances before halftime. In the second half, Piroe again missed a chance, and Byram’s header went wide.

With Burnley winning, Farke sent on Patrick Bamford and Largie Ramazani to find the title-winning goal. Just when defeat seemed likely, Solomon broke into the box and scored, sending the away fans into a frenzy.

No winners in Group C after opening U20 AFCON matches
by Football Sierra Leone

Ghana, Senegal register opening draws in Group C U20 AFCON matches

After four teams fought to a 1-1 draw on Friday in the U20 African Cup of Nations in Egypt, Group C had no opening winners .

In a fiercely fought Group C match at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, reigning champions Senegal drew 1-1 with the Central African Republic. Senegal grabbed advantage in the 49th minute following a scoreless first half with a header from Cheikh Thiam.

But Central African Republic leveled in the 74th minute when replacement Diogène Pengazonia scored from a through ball. Both teams were unable to find a victor even after generating several opportunities, including a near header from Thiam.

Senegal will get ready to face Ghana despite having control of the CAR aims to grow on this performance against DR Congo.

In their first Group C encounter at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Ghana decided on a 1-1 tie with DR Congo. With Samuel Ntanda’s header in the 16th minute, DR Congo got off to an early lead; eight minutes later, Ghana leveled the score with Musibau Aziz.

Ghana couldn’t find the net once more despite controlling the ball and driving for a second-half winner; some close attempts included a saved Aziz header. The resilience shown by both sides helped the game to end in a draw, therefore all four teams in the group were tied on one point.