Category: Sport News

Banda scores four times as Zambia Thrash Egypt, Malawi stun Nigeria
by Football Sierra Leone

Banda scores four times as Zambia Thrash Egypt, Malawi stun Nigeria

Zambia’s women’s soccer team began their 2026 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a strong 6-0 win over Egypt in Rabat. Barbra Banda starred in the match, scoring four goals, including two in just three minutes after half-time.

Rachel Nachula put Zambia ahead with a penalty in the 25th minute. Banda scored her first penalty in the 60th minute, then added another goal shortly after to make it 3-0.

She completed her hat-trick with a goal in the 87th minute. Substitute Eneless Phiri contributed Zambia’s fifth goal in stoppage time, and Banda finished the scoring in the 96th minute.

This result is a great start for Zambia as they aim for their first Women’s AFCON title.

Elsewhere, Malawi defeated Nigeria 3-2 as they produced one of the biggest shocks in TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history by beating record champions in their Group C opener on Tuesday night.

The Scorchers, playing their first match at the continental finals, stunned the 10-time champions with three second-half goals at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.

Star Sport Academy Reinforces Squad with Two New Additions
by Ibrahim Sesay

Star Sport Academy Reinforces Squad with Two New Additions

Star Sport Academy has signed two new players to strengthen the team for the West African Champions Cup, the CAF Champions League, and the upcoming Leone Rock Premier League season.

Midfielder Santigie Fornah joins from SLIFA FC, bringing energy to the midfield. Striker Hindovie Tucker arrives on loan from Frances FC for one season after scoring thirteen goals last season, including three in the FA Cup. He will enhance the team’s attack.

Head coach Amidu Karim believes these players will improve the team’s balance and experience as they prepare for the season.

The club is eager to see the new players in action as they build ahead of the new campaign.

CEO Mohamed Jusu Tarawally is happy with the signings, stating, “These players show our ambition. We welcome Hindovien Tucker and Santigie Fornah to Star Sport Academy.”

Team Manager Salim Pokawa added, “We are excited about these players. They will fit well and make our team stronger.”

CEO Mohamed Jusu Tarawally and Team Manager Salim Pokawa with Midfielder Santigie Fornah in photo
CEO Mohamed Jusu Tarawally and Team Manager Salim Pokawa with Midfielder Santigie Fornah in photo
Côte d’Ivoire brush aside Burkina Faso in Group opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Côte d’Ivoire brush aside Burkina Faso in Group opener

Côte d’Ivoire came back strong in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, beating Burkina Faso 4-1 in their opening Group B game on Monday night.

This is the Lady Elephants’ first time in the tournament in 12 years. They were clearly the better team in the first half and managed the game well overall.

Rebecca Elloh scored first with a penalty. Ines Konan got two goals, with assists from Rosemonde Kouassi and Nsira Ouedraogo.

Burkina Faso managed to pull one back through Adama Congo early in the second half, but Côte d’Ivoire quickly regained their lead when Ouedraogo scored again.

It was a great start for coach Reynald Pedros, who had asked the team to play their hearts out in Morocco. The players showed they were well-prepared and confident, blending experienced players with younger talent.

Captain Bernadette Amani Kakounan was happy to be back at WAFCON, and the Lady Elephants proved it with a determined performance.

This win is a good start for Côte d’Ivoire, especially following Tanzania’s surprise win against South Africa. They’ve put themselves in a good position to reach the quarter-finals, as the top two teams from each group move on.

News WAFCON Match Day Two Results
News WAFCON Match Day Two Results
Resilient Tanzania edge South Africa in tight Group B opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tanzania edge South Africa in tight Group B WAFCON opener

Tanzania kicked off their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 qualifying matches with a 2-1 win against South Africa in Casablanca.

This was the second match in Group B and the third overall at the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON finals. South Africa had won the first game, and the second ended in a draw, so Tanzania was really looking for a win here.

Tanzania had some good chances early on. Opa Tukumbuke nearly scored in the 13th minute, but the South African goalkeeper, Andile Dlamini, saved her shot.

Two minutes later, Lebohang Ramalepe had another great chance for Tanzania with a header that almost went in as an own goal, but Dlamini managed to get a hand to it. For South Africa, Hildah Magaia missed a good opportunity to score, shooting high over the crossbar.

The first goal came in the 37th minute from Tanzania’s Diana Msewa, named Woman of the Match. Kgatlana almost equalised just before halftime, but her shot was saved. Then, Bambanani Mbane pulled South Africa level right before the halftime whistle.

South Africa had a chance to take the lead at the start of the second half. However, Tanzania secured the win in the 86th minute when substitute Hasnath Ubamba fired home. 

This result gives Tanzania three important points in Group B ahead of their next match against Burkina Faso, while South Africa will regroup before facing Cote d’Ivoire.

Morocco hammer Kenya 4-0 in WAFCON opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco hammer Kenya 4-0 in WAFCON opener

There was a real sense of purpose about Morocco from the very first whistle at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium – and by full-time, they’d sent out a clear message to everyone in Group A: they mean business at this year’s TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Hosts Morocco ran out comfortable 4–0 winners over Kenya, taking charge of the game early and never letting go. Sakina Ouzraoui set the ball rolling just past the 20-minute mark, firing home to get the crowd on their feet.

Before half-time, the lead had grown to three – Meriem Atiq powered a header in from a well-worked corner, then Ibtissam Jraidi nodded home right on the stroke of the break to leave Kenya with a mountain to climb.

Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished almost immediately after the restart: barely two minutes into the second half, Jraidi struck again, grabbing her second of the afternoon and putting the result well beyond doubt.

For Kenya, this was their first appearance at the tournament in a decade – a moment to savour in itself, even if the day didn’t go to plan. They came up against a side with plenty of pedigree, two-time runners-up who looked sharp, organised and hungry from start to finish.

Elsewhere in the group, Algeria also got off to a winning start, beating Senegal 2–0 – meaning Morocco sit top of the pile on goal difference, with Algeria close behind, and Kenya and Senegal still searching for their first points.

Speaking after the match, Kenya boss Beldine Odemba was honest but upbeat: “We know we have areas to improve, and we will get to work on them straight away. There is still everything to play for.”

Morocco’s Jorge Vilda was full of praise for his team’s focus: “We controlled the game well, took our chances and stayed disciplined. It’s a very satisfying start, but we know the hardest tests are still to come.”

Next up for Morocco is a mouth-watering clash with North African rivals Algeria, while Kenya will dust themselves down and prepare to take on Senegal – two games that will shape how this group unfolds.

by Football Sierra Leone

Striker Abu Kamara nets for Hull City in pre-season friendly

Hull City defeated Turkish side Konyaspor 3-0 in a pre-season friendly at Aluminij Sports Park. Enis Destan scored a header, there was an own goal from Konyaspor, and Abu Kamara added another goal.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland, a new signing, made a crucial save early in the match. Nathan Tinsdale, who replaced an injured player, assisted Destan’s goal at the 28-minute mark. Destan was substituted shortly after for Mason Burstow. Konyaspor almost equalised with a shot saved by Butland, and Paddy McNair blocked the rebound.

At half-time, coach Sergej Jakirović made two changes, bringing in Dillon Phillips and Ryan Giles. Giles assisted the second goal when Konyaspor’s goalkeeper deflected a cross into his own player.

City scored a third goal when Millar set up Kamara in the 73rd minute. McBurnie also scored late in the game, but the goal was disallowed for a foul.

Hull City: Butland (Phillips 46’); Drameh (Coyle 60’), McNair (Ajayi 60’), McCarthy (Egan 60’), Jacob (Giles 46’ (Okike 79’)); Zambrano (Slater 60’), Gyabi (Crooks 60’), Ömür (Tinsdale 22’ (Dowell 60’)); Kamara (Silk 75’), Destan (Burstow 32’ (McBurnie 60’)), Akintola (Millar 60’).

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Momoh Kamara scores first IF Elfsborg goal in Allsvenskan Round 14 win over Malmö.

Sierra Leone’s Momoh Kamara scored his first goal in IF Elfsborg’s 2-1 win during their week fourteen Allsvenskan match at Eleda Stadium in Malmö.

After a quick start, with Arbër Zeneli scoring for Elfsborg in the first minute. Malmö responded by equalising with a goal from Jens Stryger Larsen. Kamara then put Elfsborg back in the lead in the 34th minute with a powerful left-footed shot from the centre of the box, assisted by Zeneli. Despite Malmö’s efforts to score again, the first half ended with a score of Malmö 1, Elfsborg 2.

Malmö started the second half stronger, and Elfsborg had to focus on defense at first. However, they remained calm and started to control the game.

IF Elfsborg kept the ball moving well and played more offensively. Kamara had a chance to score again when he shot quickly, forcing the Malmö goalkeeper to tip the ball to the corner.

In the 73rd minute, Leo Östman chased a deep pass behind the Malmö defense and was taken down by a defender. The Malmö player received a red card, leaving Elfsborg with one extra player.

After the sending off, Elfsborg continued to play safely with good passing for a while. However, as the match neared its end, Malmö increased their pressure on Elfsborg’s goal. They primarily attacked from the left side, but either Isak Pettersson, Elfsborg’s goalkeeper, was ready, or the defenders cleared the ball away.

Elfsborg held on until the end and took three important points back home to Borås!

Star Sport Academy Thanks SLFA for CAF Champions League Confirmation
by Ibrahim Sesay

Star Sport Academy Thanks SLFA after CAF Champions League Confirmation

Star Sport Academy has expressed its heartfelt appreciation to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) following the official confirmation of their participation in the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League.

After the conclusion of the 2025/2026 Sierra Leone Premier League season, Star Sport Academy received communication from the SLFA indicating that the League Champions, Bo Rangers FC, had opted out of the competition.

As the next eligible club, Star Sport Academy has graciously accepted the responsibility to represent the nation on the continental stage. The club’s management intentionally took a few days before announcing this decision to allow for essential internal consultations and preparations, believing it was crucial to share this news in a thoughtful and organised manner.

They extend their congratulations to Bo Rangers FC for their successful season and offer sincere gratitude to the President of SLFA, along with the Executive Committee and the Secretariat, for placing their trust in the club. Star Sport Academy embraces this responsibility with humility and is fully committed to representing Sierra Leone with professionalism, discipline, and pride.

The club also wishes to thank their sponsors, partners, fans, players, and technical staff for their steadfast support and commitment. Your ongoing encouragement has been vital to their journey.

Moreover, preparations for the CAF Champions League campaign are already in full swing, and Star Sport Academy remains focused on ensuring that both the club and Sierra Leone are represented with honour and distinction.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Court of Arbitration for Sport sets date for Senegal AFCON hearing

Lausanne, 24 July 2026 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirms a hearing has been scheduled for the procedure between the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF, in French) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF, in French) (“The Parties”) concerning the final of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 (AFCON 2025).

The hearing will take place on 8 October 2026, at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. Registered by CAS on 25 March 2026, the FSF appeal seeks to set aside a CAF decision declaring that the Senegal national team forfeited the AFCON 2025 final and recording the Moroccan national team as the winners of the match by 3-0. The appeal requests that CAS declare the FSF winners of AFCON 2025.

The Parties did not agree to expedite this procedure, which is therefore following a standard timeline according to CAS procedural rules.

The hearing date was decided after consultation with the Parties, who also did not request that it be made public. This means it will take place behind closed doors. After the hearing, the Panel will start its deliberations. At this stage, CAS cannot state when a final decision will be rendered but it will not be on the day of the hearing.

CAS is aware of incorrect information circulating online about this procedure and subsequently being reported. Only information provided through CAS channels is considered official. Any announcements concerning this case will be published on the CAS website. Questions from accredited journalists can be directed to the CAS media office.

CAS Communication!

Referee Sulaiman Sanito Kamara Selected for WAFU Zone B U-17 AFCON Qualifiers
by Ibrahim Sesay

Referee Sulaiman Sanito Kamara Selected for WAFU Zone B U-17 AFCON Qualifiers

In a proud moment for Sierra Leone football, referee Sulaiman Sanito Kamara has been selected by WAFU Zone B to officiate at the WAFU Zone B African Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

The tournament will take place in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, from 26th July to 9th August 2026. This is a historic moment for the young official as he gets the opportunity to represent the Green, White and Blue on the continental stage.

The young referee continues to build an impressive international officiating profile. In 2025, he was selected to officiate at the WAFU A U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers in Mali, where he capped off an excellent tournament by taking charge of the final match—an appointment highlight in his career so far. 

Sulaiman Santio Kamara has been appointed by WAFU Zone B to officiate at the WAFU B U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, from 26 July to 9 August 2026.
Sulaiman Santio Kamara has been appointed by WAFU Zone B to officiate at the WAFU B U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, from 26 July to 9 August 2026.