Category: Sport News

Sierra Leone's Momoh I Kamara makes CAF Young Player of the Year Nominees
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Momoh Kamara makes CAF Young Player of the Year shortlist

Momoh I Kamara played a crucial role in the Sierra Leone team that drew attention in the U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt, as the top scorer of the competition, and a couple of personal awards.

He has been recognised for his outstanding performance in the tournament, despite Sierra Leone being knocked out by Morocco after finishing second in Group A.

His mix of calmness, strength, and accuracy helped the team reach the quarter-finals in their first tournament and made him one of Africa’s best young players.

Minnesota United FC’s 2nd team in the USA’s MLS NEXT Pro, Momoh I Kamara, showed brilliant and promising signs in the U20 AFCON in Egypt.

He scored three goals in one game against the host team and played well in all four matches. He also won the Player of the Group Stage and Top Scorer awards, finishing with four goals.

Kamara is up against tough competition from Morocco’s Othmane Maama, who has been outstanding in the U20 World Cup. Morocco has triumphed over several formidable opponents, including South Africa’s Tylon Smith and others.

Momoh I Kamara is up against tough competition from Morocco's Othmane Maama, who has been outstanding in the U20 World Cup. Morocco has triumphed over several formidable opponents, including South Africa's Tylon Smith and others.
Momoh I Kamara is up against tough competition from Morocco's Othmane Maama, who has been outstanding in the U20 World Cup. Morocco has triumphed over several formidable opponents, including South Africa's Tylon Smith and others.
CR Belouizdad hold Hafia as USM Alger lost to Académie Diallo Amadou
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CR Belouizdad hold Hafia as USM Alger lost to Académie Diallo Amadou

The first-leg matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup's second preliminary round on Sunday, 19 October, showcased exciting competition as African teams competed for an early advantage toward the group stage.

Algeria’s CR Belouizdad managed to secure a valuable away draw against Hafia FC from Guinea. At the same time, their fellow citizens, USM Alger, experienced a narrow loss against Académie Diallo Amadou from Côte d’Ivoire.

In another significant encounter, Djoliba AC from Mali achieved a crucial away victory over Burkina Faso’s USFA.

Hafia FC (GUI) 1–1 CR Belouizdad (ALG)  

CR Belouizdad returned from Conakry with an essential 1–1 draw that keeps their chances of qualification alive as they head into the return leg in Algiers. Hafia FC took the lead in the 62nd minute thanks to Alhassane Kamara. Still, Belouizdad quickly levelled the score just three minutes later when Khacef found the net, securing a vital outcome for the Algerian team.

Académie Diallo Amadou (CIV) 1–0 USM Alger (ALG)  

The Algerian powerhouses, USM Alger, faced a challenging night in Côte d’Ivoire, losing 1–0 to Académie Diallo Amadou. The home team struck early when Kalilou Garjo took advantage of a defensive mistake in the ninth minute.

Despite dominating periods and creating multiple opportunities, the Algerian side failed to score and will now strive to reverse the situation in the return match in Algiers.

USFA (BFA) 0–1 Djoliba AC (MLI)  

Mali’s Djoliba AC secured a critical 1–0 win against USFA in Ouagadougou. The winning goal was scored in the 84th minute by Kader Knam, putting the visitors in a solid position heading into the second leg in Bamako.

With the return matches set for next weekend, all eyes will be on the Algerian teams CR Belouizdad and USM Alger, who will aim to utilise their home advantage and secure their places in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Orlando Pirates suffer heavy CAF Champions League defeat
by Football Sierra Leone

Orlando Pirates suffer heavy CAF Champions League defeat

Orlando Pirates are staring down the barrel of an early exit from the CAF Champions League after suffering a disappointing 3-0 defeat of the 2025/26 second preliminary round to Saint-Éloi Lupopo at the Stade Frederic Kibassa Maliba in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Sunday.

As a result, they’ll face a daunting task as they prepare to host Saint-Éloi Lupopo at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, aiming to overturn a three-goal deficit.

This loss ended the Buccaneers’ impressive 11-match unbeaten streak across all competitions at the hands of the Congolese side in the first leg of their second preliminary round tie.

Last season, the Pirates made an impressive run in the CAF Champions League, reaching the semi-finals under coach Jose Riveiro before being eliminated by the eventual champions, Pyramids FC.

With new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou at the helm, the Buccaneers have kicked off the 2025/26 season with great success.

They cruised through the first preliminary round, sweeping aside Lioli of Lesotho with a dominant 7-0 aggregate score, and bagged their fourth consecutive MTN8 title in South Africa.

Currently, the club sits third in the Betway Premiership, having accumulated 15 points from seven matches, which includes five wins and two losses.

In the latest rankings from the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), published on October 14, the club was recognised as the seventh-best team on the continent.

Yassir Zabiri nets brace as Morocco clinch maiden crown
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Yassir Zabiri nets brace as Morocco clinch maiden crown

Morocco triumphed over Argentina to claim their first FIFA U-20 World Cup, with Yassir Zabiri scoring twice in a thrilling final in Santiago.

As a result, the victory made Morocco the second African team to win the tournament, following Ghana’s win in 2009.

The match kicked off at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos with immediate drama. Zabiri was fouled while attempting to score, but converted a free-kick into the top corner after a VAR review resulted in a yellow card for the Argentina goalkeeper. Zabiri later volleyed in a cross from Othmane Maamma to double the lead.

Argentina pressed for an equaliser, with Mateo Silvetti and substitutes missing key chances, while Morocco’s strong defence, led by Ismael Baouf, held firm. Despite Argentina’s possession and corner dominance, Morocco kept them at bay. When the final whistle blew, Moroccan players celebrated their long-awaited victory after 48 years.

Argentina 0-2 Morocco

Morocco goals: Zabiri (12 & 29). Visa Player of the Match: Zabiri

Striker Daniel Kanu nets in Walsall's defeat to Barrow
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Daniel Kanu nets in Walsall’s defeat to Barrow

Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu was on target as they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Barrow on Saturday at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium.

Barrow’s goalkeeper Wyll Stanway was the standout player as the 10-man Bluebirds triumphed 2-1 against Walsall, bringing an end to the League Two leaders’ eight-match unbeaten streak.

Stanway made multiple crucial saves to deny a Saddlers team that fired 24 shots, including 11 on target. The visitors withstood early pressure from Walsall and took the lead after 31 minutes when Ben Whitfield delivered a cross for Elliot Newby to score from close range.

Walsall came close to equalising twice before halftime, but Stanway blocked a shot from Rico Browne and executed a spectacular save to deny Courtney Clarke.

Barrow was left with 10 players after 56 minutes when full-back Lewis Shipley received a second yellow card for a foul on Daniel Kanu, having already been booked for a similar offence earlier in the match.

However, the Bluebirds extended their lead 12 minutes later when Charlie McCann calmly finished a quick counterattack from 12 yards.

Kanu pulled one back in the 74th minute, twisting in the penalty area to score with a low shot. Nonetheless, Stanway made four outstanding saves to stop Kanu from close range, along with denying a powerful shot from Charlie Lakin and two curling attempts from Clarke.

When Aaron Pressley headed against the post from six yards in stoppage time, Barrow secured the points.