Author: Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone name provisional Chan home-based squad for Liberia prep
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone name provisional home-based squad for CHAN qualifiers

The head coach of Sierra Leone’s home-based team, Alhaji Foray, has invited 40 players for training. This training is to prepare for the upcoming CHAN qualifiers.

Sierra Leone will play against Liberia on October 27 and November 1, 2024. Training starts on Monday, October 21, 2024, at the SLFA Academy, and all invited players must arrive by 6:30 AM.

The draw for the matchups took place in Cairo on October 9 and included 40 nations. The tournament will be held in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from February 1 to February 28, 2025. This is the first time three countries will co-host the tournament.

Nineteen African nations will compete, including the hosts and three teams qualified from each of CAF’s six Zonal Unions. Only players from local leagues can participate, and the tournament offers a prize of $2 million. The last edition was won by Senegal, which beat Algeria in the finals.

WAFU A ROUND 1

Sierra Leone vs Liberia

1st Leg: 25 – 27 October | 2nd Leg: 01 – 03 November

ROUND 2

Sierra Leone / Liberia v Senegal

Mauritania v Mali

Guinea v Guinea-Bissau

1st Leg: 20 – 22 December | 2nd Leg 27 – 29 November

Cameroon complete AFCON qualifying double over Kenya
by Football Sierra Leone

Cameroon complete AFCON qualifying double over Kenya

Cameroon clinched another 1-0 victory over Kenya in their 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium on Monday.

It’s a back-to-back win for the Indomitable Lions as they maintained a leading position in Group J with 10 points, presenting the Harambee Stars with a significant challenge in the remaining qualifiers.

The pivotal moment occurred in the 63rd minute when Boris Enow executed a low free-kick from the edge of the box, breaching the Kenyan defence and placing the ball into the bottom right corner.

Despite Kenya’s persistent efforts to equalize, including a missed header from Alphonce Omija in stoppage time, they were unable to find the back of the net. With this victory, Cameroon fortifies its standing in Group J with 10 points, while Kenya remains in third place with four points.

Zimbabwe, currently in second place with seven points, will face Namibia later on Monday in the other Group J fixture. Kenya had several opportunities to tie the match, with Michael Olunga notably having his shots blocked multiple times by a well-organized Cameroonian defense.

Under the leadership of captain Vincent Aboubakar, Cameroon showed resilience, although Aboubakar himself failed to convert a couple of clear-cut chances. Kenya now faces a tough task to revive their AFCON qualification hopes, while Cameroon seems increasingly likely to secure early qualification for the tournament scheduled to be held in Morocco next year.

Senegal comfortably thrashed 10-man Malawi in AFCON Qualifier
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegal comfortably thrashed 10-man Malawi in AFCON Qualifier

At the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade, the Senegalese national football team put on a dominant performance, securing a convincing 4-0 victory over Malawi.

The match took a dramatic turn in the 16th minute when Brighton Munthali was shown a red card for a foul on the talented Sadio Mané.

Senegal’s Pape Guèye ignited the scoreboard with a spectacular long-range shot in the 35th minute, setting the tone for the Lions’ commanding display.

Sadio Mané, a key figure for Senegal, showcased his skill once again by notching his 45th goal for his national team in the 69th minute. The momentum continued as Boulaya Dia swiftly added another goal just two minutes later.

The Senegalese team’s triumph was sealed in the 77th minute when Nicolas Jackson, after earning 17 caps, celebrated his first goal for the national team, concluding the match with a resounding victory for Senegal.

Malawi will attempt to avenge their defeat as they host Senegal at the Bingu National Stadium on Tuesday.

A Group F stalemate between Ghana and Sudan in Accra
by Football Sierra Leone

A Group F stalemate between Ghana and Sudan in Accra

In the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Ghana continued to struggle in Group F with another goalless draw against Sudan. (GFA Photo) – the Black Stars couldn’t take advantage of their home ground despite having a lot of possession at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghanaian fans were hopeful that the Black Stars would record their first win after their slow start in Group F, which included a surprising home loss to Angola and an away draw against Niger. Despite the significant pressure, Ghana coach Otto Addo remains confident in his team’s abilities.

Players like Jordan Ayew, West Ham attacker Moahmed Kudus, and Antoine Samedu were all part of the starting eleven but couldn’t make a difference in the stalemate.

During the match, Ghana struggled to score, with Mohammed Kudus and Iñaki Williams coming closest to finding the net. However, Sudan’s defence, led by goalkeeper Mohamed Al Mustafa, held strong. Ghana’s attacking players had difficulty breaking through Sudan’s determined defence, and despite late pressure, they were unable to score, resulting in a goalless draw.

In their three matches so far, the Black Stars are currently in third place in Group F with just two points, while Sudan has moved up to second place with four points after securing a draw. Sudan host Ghana in Libya on October 15th for match day four of the qualifiers.

Angola is currently leading the group with six points from two games, and Niger is at the bottom with one point. Angola is scheduled to play against Niger on Friday. 

Exciting matches lineup in CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage draw
by Football Sierra Leone

Exciting matches lineup in CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage

The draw for the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage took place in Cairo on Monday, adding to the excitement surrounding the competition.

Defending champions Zamalek SC are in Group D with Al Masry, Enyimba, and Black Bulls. In Group C, USM Alger will compete against ASEC Mimosas, ASC Jaraaf, and Orapa United.

Group B features RS Berkane, Stade Malien, Stellenbosch FC, and CD Lunda Sul. Group A, known as the “Group of Death,” includes Simba SC, CS Sfaxien, CS Constantine, and Bravos do Maquis.

The group stage begins in November, with prestigious clubs from across Africa competing for the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup trophy.

The group stages will be played between November 2024 and January 2025. 

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage Fixtures Dates:

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 1: November 26-27, 2024  – ⁠Match Day 2: December 6-8, 2024 – ⁠Match Day 3: December 13-15, 2024 – ⁠Match Day 4: January 3-5, 2025 – ⁠Match Day 5: January 10-12, 2025 – ⁠Match Day 6: January 17-19, 2025

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage Draw Results:

Group A: Simba SC (Tanzania), CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), CS Constantine (Algeria), Bravos do Maquis (Angola)

Group B: RS Berkane (Morocco), Stade Malien (Mali), Stellenbosch (South Africa), CD Lunda Sul (Angola),

Group C: USM Alger (Algeria), ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire), ASC Jaraaf (Senegal), Orapa United (Botswana)

Group D: Zamalek SC (Egypt), Al Masry (Egypt), Enyimba FC (Nigeria), Black Bulls (Mozambique),

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 1: November 26-27, 2024  

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 2: December 6-8, 2024 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 3: December 13-15, 2024 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 4: January 3-5, 2025 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 5: January 10-12, 2025 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 6: January 17-19, 2025

Click HERE for list of fixtures.