Author: Football Sierra Leone

Gambia’s Yankuba Minteh’s brace helps Brighton stun Chelsea
by Football Sierra Leone

Gambia’s Yankuba Minteh’s brace helps Brighton stun Chelsea

Gambian International scored his fifth goal of the Premier League season with two goals against Chelsea on Friday night at the American Express Stadium. This helped Brighton win 3-0.

Kaoru Mitoma started the scoring with a fantastic goal, and Yankuba Minteh added two more goals. This victory ended Brighton’s two-game losing streak.

Mitoma’s great opener and Minteh’s double led Brighton to a strong win over a weak Chelsea team. Head coach Enzo Maresca faced a tough night.

Maresca disappointed fans by downplaying the importance of the FA Cup after their earlier loss to Brighton. This recent loss will not help his image among fans at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca had to play without a recognized striker, which showed in the game. Chelsea did not have a single shot on target in the league for the first time since September 2021. Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku took turns playing as a false nine but could not make an impact.

“Tonight was the worst performance since I arrived, but we are still in the race to finish in the top four,” Maresca said to Sky Sports after the match. He added, “I always feel pressure, not just now.”

Mustapha Bundu's Plymouth Argyle face tricky Millwall contest
by Football Sierra Leone

Mustapha Bundu’s Plymouth Argyle face tricky Millwall contest

Mustapha Bundu and his bottom-placed English Championship team, Plymouth Argyle, has not won any of its last eight league matches against Millwall, with four draws and four losses since its 3-0 victory at home in December 1997.

Both teams will compete in round 31 of the ongoing campaign at the Home Pack stadium. The home side, Argle, will look to take inspiration from their 1-0 win against Premier League Leaders Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round.

Millwall has won their last three league games against Plymouth Argyle. This is the longest winning streak the Lions have ever had against the Pilgrims in the EFL.

Plymouth recently broke a 15-game winless streak in the Championship by winning 2-1 against West Bromwich Albion. However, Argyle has not won consecutive league games since February 2024.

Millwall has won their last three league matches after not winning any of their first four under Alex Neil, which included two draws and two losses. Each of their last eight league wins has been by just one goal.

In the win against West Brom, Ryan Hardie scored both goals for Plymouth. Before this match, he only scored once in his previous 35 Championship games. Hardie last scored in consecutive games in January 2024.

Argyle, led by Mustapha Bundu, will face Manchester City away in the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup after their 1-0 win over Liverpool.

The Greens previously met City in the League Cup semi-final in 1974 and in the FA Cup in 1988.

Fifth-round matches are set for February 28 to March 3, and we will provide date and ticket information soon.

The Sierra Leone International, Mustapha Bundu, who on September 1, 2023, signed a two-year deal with EFL Championship club Plymouth Argyle, was part of the team that defeated Liverpool.

After debuted on September 23, coming on in the 87th minute during a 6–2 win over Norwich City, where he assisted a goal. Bundu scored his first goal in his first league start on October 25 with a first-half free-kick in a 3–0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday.

New Roma acquisition Anass Salah-Eddine left of Europa League
by Football Sierra Leone

Moroccan descent Anass Salah-Eddine left out of Roma Europa League squad

Moroccan descent, Salah-Eddine, the ninth Dutch footballer to join AS Roma, has been left out of the club’s squad for the Europa League knockout stage.

He recently transferred from FC Twente to Roma for a fee reported to be up to €10 million. Despite this high price, Salah-Eddine is not included in Roma’s squad for the Round of 16.

This means the Dutch-Moroccan defender will miss Roma’s important match against FC Porto. If Roma advances further, they might face his former team, FC Twente, who are set to play against FK Bodø/Glimt.

Born on January 18, 2002, Salah-Eddine grew up in the youth programs at AZ Alkmaar and Ajax. He made his senior debut for Ajax in 2022. He later established himself at Twente, first on loan in the 2022-23 season and then by joining the club permanently in 2024.

Tunisian defender Mathlouthi surgery on anterior cruciate ligament was successful
by Football Sierra Leone

Tunisian defender Mathlouthi surgery on anterior cruciate ligament was successful

Zamalek defender Hamza Mathlouthi had successful surgery in Germany to fix a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the team announced on Wednesday.

The Tunisian international injured his right knee on January 23 during a Premier League match against Modern Sport FC, which Zamalek lost 1-0. He was diagnosed with the injury the following day.

“Mathlouthi had successful ACL surgery in Germany and is doing well,” said Mohamed Osama, the team doctor. “He will start his rehabilitation program soon,” he added. Mathlouthi’s injury is a big loss for the White Knights, as they will be missing one of their key defenders for a long time.

Since joining Zamalek in 2020 from CS Sfaxien in Tunisia, the 32-year-old has scored five goals in 152 games. He played 13 times this season before the injury.

Currently, Zamalek SC is in third place in the Egyptian League with 20 points from 11 games, four points behind the leaders, Pyramids FC.

Nigerian striker Emmanuel Dennis joins Blackburn on loan from Forest
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigerian striker Emmanuel Dennis joins Blackburn on loan from Forest

Blackburn Rovers have completed the loan signing of striker Emmanuel Dennis from Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day.

Dennis, 27, is their third signing of the day, joining Yuri Ribeiro from Braga and Cauley Woodrow from Luton Town.

Dennis began his career with Zorya Luhansk in Ukraine, where he made a strong debut by scoring in a 3-0 victory and gained valuable experience in the Europa League. He later moved to Club Brugge, scoring 19 league goals in 85 appearances.

After a loan spell with FC Cologne, Dennis joined Watford in June 2021, where he netted 10 Premier League goals and made a notable debut against Aston Villa.

His performances attracted Nottingham Forest’s attention, leading to a £20 million transfer in August 2022. He continued to perform well in the Premier League, scoring against teams like Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Dennis has also had loan spells with Istanbul Basaksehir and his former club, Watford, and has earned eight caps for the Nigerian national team.