Author: Football Sierra Leone

Mohamed Salah set for Liverpool exit at the end of the season
by Football Sierra Leone

Mohamed Salah set for Liverpool’s end of season exit

Mohamed Salah will bring his illustrious career with Liverpool FC to a close at the end of the 2025-26 season, the club has confirmed.

The forward has reached an agreement with the club, marking the end of a remarkable nine-year journey at Anfield. Out of respect and gratitude for the supporters, Salah wanted to share this news as soon as possible to provide clarity about his future.

Since joining from AS Roma in the summer of 2017, the No. 11 has cemented his place among Liverpool’s greatest players. He has been instrumental in securing two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup, and two League Cups, along with the FA Community Shield.

With 255 goals in 435 appearances, the Egyptian forward ranks third on the Reds’ all-time goalscorers list, having claimed the Premier League Golden Boot four times and earned numerous individual accolades along the way.

With much still at stake this season, Salah remains focused on helping Liverpool achieve the best possible finish in the campaign. A proper celebration of his legacy and achievements will come later in the year when he bids farewell to Anfield.

His tally of 255 goals in 435 appearances to date has the Egyptian sitting third on the Reds’ all-time leading goalscorers chart.
His tally of 255 goals in 435 appearances to date has the Egyptian sitting third on the Reds’ all-time leading goalscorers chart,
CR Belouizdad reach CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals
by Football Sierra Leone

CR Belouizdad reach CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals

CR Belouizdad has reached the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup for the first time in 30 years.

They secured their spot after a tense goalless draw against Al-Masry from Egypt in Algiers. The Algerian team advanced with an aggregate score, having drawn 1-1 in the first leg in Egypt.

The match at the Nelson Mandela Stadium marked a historic moment for the club, which last reached this stage in 1996.

Belouizdad started the match strongly, pressing high and quickly creating chances. In the first seven minutes, Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda’s shot lacked power, allowing Al-Masry’s goalkeeper, Essam Tharwat, to make an easy save.

Midway through the first half, defender Hussein Ben Ayada forced Tharwat into a strong save, and Ben Hammouda’s header skimmed just over the crossbar.

As the first half progressed, Al-Masry began creating opportunities, with a long-range shot testing Belouizdad’s goalkeeper Farid Chaal just before half-time. Despite the pressure, both teams went into the break level.

In the second half, both sides struggled to score, with Belouizdad focusing on defence. Al-Masry pushed hard for a goal, especially with forward Daghmoum becoming a threat late in the game. However, Chaal and the defence held firm.

The match ended in a goalless draw, sending Belouizdad to the semi-finals to face the winner between Zamalek and Otoho. For Al-Masry, this result marked the end of their campaign. Belouizdad celebrates a return to the last four of a continental competition after 30 years.

Pyramids and AS Far settle for first leg quarter-final draw
by Football Sierra Leone

Pyramids and AS Far settle for first leg quarter-final draw

The CAF Inter-Club quarter-final first legs delivered a thrilling display of football, with all four matches ending in tense 1-1 draws.

The crucial away goals kept the ties for both the Champions League and Confederation Cup very much alive.

In the Champions League, defending champions Pyramids FC fought hard for a 1-1 draw at AS FAR Rabat’s Olympic Stadium.

The hosts took an early lead when Ahmed Hammoudan scored in the 8th minute, but Mahmoud Zalaka levelled the game with a goal in the 52nd minute, keeping hopes strong for both teams.

At the Berkane Municipal Stadium, Al Hilal Omdurman initially went in front thanks to a goal from Abdel Raouf in the 13th minute. However, RS Berkane managed to salvage a draw with a last-gasp penalty converted by Mounir Chouiar in the 90+9th minute.

Al Hilal faced a setback late in the match when Steven Ebuela received a red card, leaving them down to ten men.

In the Confederation Cup, Zamalek SC held their ground with a 1-1 draw at AS Otoho d’Oyo’s Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat in Brazzaville. Charles Atipo opened the scoring for the home side, only to see Oday Dabbagh equalise for the Egyptian team.

Meanwhile, at the New Suez Stadium, CR Belouizdad snatched a point away from home against Al Masry, ending in a 1-1 standoff. Salah Mohsen had put Al Masry ahead, but Lofti Boussouar struck in stoppage time to secure the equaliser.

With all four ties remaining evenly matched, the stage is set for next weekend’s second legs, where those hard-earned away goals could prove decisive in determining which teams advance to the semi-finals.

Saturday’s results

AS FAR (Morocco) 1-1 Pyramids (Egypt)

RS Berkane (Morocco) 1-1 Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan)

AS Otoho (Congo-Brazzaville) 1-1 Zamalek (Egypt)

Al Masry (Egypt) 1-1 CR Belouizdad (Algeria)
Gambia's Yankuba Minteh scores winner for Brighton in win over Sunderland
by Football Sierra Leone

Gambia’s Yankuba Minteh scores winner for Brighton in win over Sunderland

Yankuba Minteh scored a bizarre goal that gave Brighton a 1-0 victory over Sunderland, marking the Black Cats' third consecutive home defeat in the Premier League.

In the 58th minute, Minteh’s sliced cross from a tight angle slipped past Sunderland goalkeeper Melker Ellborg at the near post.

Sunderland players were furious that play continued while midfielder Habib Diarra lay on the ground after a clash with Lewis Dunk during a corner.

However, the video assistant referee (VAR) confirmed that the goal was valid, as Brighton defender Paul van Hecke, obstructing Ellborg’s view, was onside.

This victory pushed Brighton to 40 points, placing them above Sunderland in 10th position. It was also their first win at Wearside since 1981, ending a nine-match winless streak.

Brighton was the better side in a lacklustre first half, with Jack Hinshelwood missing two clear opportunities to score. Sunderland thought they had taken the lead when Chris Rigg found the net, but his goal was disallowed for offside.

Brian Brobbey later squandered a crucial chance, firing over the bar after Brighton was caught in possession.

As Regis le Bris’ team pushed for an equaliser, they struggled to create clear chances. Diego Gomez also missed an opportunity to extend Brighton’s lead. With three straight home losses, Sunderland’s hopes for European qualification have taken a serious hit.

Ghana's Thomas-Asante helps Coventry ease-past Preston
by Football Sierra Leone

Ghana’s Thomas-Asante helps Coventry ease past Preston

Ghana's Thomas -Asante on target as Coventry City convincingly defeated a struggling Preston North End to extend their lead at the top of the Championship table to eight points.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a deflected shot, followed by Brandon Thomas-Asante, who netted the second after Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen tipped Ellis Simms’ effort onto the bar.

Matt Grimes secured the win with a second-half penalty, marking a perfect night for Frank Lampard’s team as their nearest rivals, Middlesbrough, stumbled against Charlton.

The home fans erupted in chants of “we’re going to win the league” when news of Boro’s defeat came through, and based on their dominant display, that seems more than likely.

Coventry controlled the game after taking the lead, though Iversen might feel unlucky about the first two goals. The deflection on Sakamoto’s shot wrong-footed him, and though he made a brilliant save on Simms, the rebound fell perfectly for Thomas-Asante.

Preston may also dispute the penalty awarded for Ephron Mason-Clark’s tumble under minimal pressure from Pol Valentin. Regardless, it was clear where the points were headed, as Coventry secured their sixth straight win, showcasing their championship potential.

They had chances to increase their margin, notably when Josh Eccles shot over the bar from a good position.

Preston, meanwhile, looked every bit a team struggling with just one win in 11 matches, with few highlights apart from headers from Whiteman and Milutin Osmajic that were both saved by Coventry’s goalkeeper, Carl Rushworth.