Category: Sport News

Ivorian Referees set to Officiate World Cup Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone Qualifier
by FSL News

Ivorian Referees set to officiate World Cup Guinea-Bissau v Sierra Leone Qualifier

Ivorian referees have been appointed to officiate the upcoming World Cup qualifier in Group A between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone next month.

The officiating team includes Referee Kpan Clement Franklin, Assistant Referee 1 ADIOUMAN Koabenan Prosper, and Assistant Referee 2 Ettien Eba Médard Wenceslas.

The match is set to take place at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau. Joining them will be Fourth Official SORO Tuonifere, also hailing from Côte d’Ivoire.

Providing support in the proceedings will be Referee Assessor Jason Joseph Damoo from Seychelles and Match Commissioner Ramos Silva Barros Joel Amarante from Cape Verde.

This matchup marks the fifteenth encounter between the two teams, with Sierra Leone leading the series with eight wins, six draws, and just one victory for the home side.

In their last meeting, the Djurtus suffered a 3-1 defeat suffered at Sierra Leone back in March in the Liberian Capital at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

Current Standings: Guinea-Bissau is currently two points behind Sierra Leone, which occupies the third position in their group with a total of 8 points.

Sierra Leone’s aspirations for qualification for the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, remain viable, with only 6 days remaining to enhance their standing in the table.

Osman Kakay, Mohamed Buya Turay return to Sierra Leone squad for World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Osman Kakay, Mohamed Buya Turay return to Sierra Leone squad for World Cup qualifiers

Head Coach Mohammed Kallon has announced a 26-man Leone Stars team for Sierra Leone’s next 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau and Ethiopia on 4th and 9th August, 2025 respectfully.

The squad consists of foreign-based and home-based players chosen specifically to create a strong team battling to represent the country with pride.

Kosice defender Osman Kakay is back on the Sierra Leone national team. He last played against Zambia in the AFCON qualifiers. Mohamed Buya Turay, who has been away from the team for a long time, is also included in the squad for next month’s matches.

Head coach Mohamed Kallon listed six new faces – the 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐮𝐩𝐬 are 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗵 (SLIFA FC), 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝘂𝗺𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗮 (East End Lions), 𝗠𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘂 𝗝𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗵 – Sierra Leone U-20 goalkeeper, recently signed new deal at Brøndby IF before being sent on loan to Finland, 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚 (Port Authority), 𝗔𝗹𝗵𝗮𝗷𝗶 𝗟. 𝗝𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗵, (Luawa FC) and 𝗠𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗕. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝗮𝘆 (FC Kallon).

The first contest against Sierra Leone will be officiated by a team of referees from the Ivory Coast at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau. The Djurtus are looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat suffered at Sierra Leone back in March in the Liberian Capital at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

Current Standings: Guinea-Bissau is two points adrift of Sierra Leone, currently in third place in their group with 8 points. Sierra Leone’s hopes for the USA, Canada, and Mexico 2026 World Cup are still alive, with just 15 days to go in the hunt to increase their point on the table.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1961066180967338000

Guinea-Bissau's top striker Mama Baldé back in the squad for Sierra Leone and Djibouti
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea-Bissau’s Mama Baldé back in the squad for Sierra Leone and Djibouti

Guinea-Bissau’s head coach, Emiliano Té, has officially announced his 26-man squad to compete in the crucial 7th and 8th fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Top notable players named are strikers Mama Baldé and Everton’s Portuguese-born Guinea-Bissau Norberto Gomes Betuncal, commonly known as Beto.

Guinea-Bissau is set to clash with Sierra Leone on September 4th at the iconic National Stadium, located in the heart of Bissau. Shortly thereafter, they will take on Djibouti on September 8th, also at the same revered venue.

Fans are excitedly looking forward to these decisive matches that could shape the team’s journey towards the World Cup.

The first contest against Sierra Leone will be officiated by a team of referees from the Ivory Coast at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.

The Djurtus are looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat suffered at Sierra Leone back in March in the Liberian Capital at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

Current Standings: Guinea-Bissau is two points adrift of Sierra Leone, currently in third place in their group with 8 points. 

Sierra Leone’s hopes for the USA, Canada, and Mexico 2026 World Cup are still alive, with just 15 days to go in the hunt to increase their point on the table.

Guinea-Bissau's Beto nets in Everton's Carabao Cup win
by FSL News

Guinea-Bissau’s Beto nets in Everton’s Carabao Cup win

To send Everton into the third round of the Carabao Cup, Guinea-Bissau forward Beto scored in Round 2 of the English competition.(Photo Everton)

Everton defeated Mansfield Town 2-0 with Portuguese-born Guinea-Bissau striker Norberto Gomes Betuncal, commonly known as Beto, adding on the scoresheet.

Asserting their supremacy over the English third-tier team, the Toffees had Argentina midfielder Carlos Alcaraz putting Mansfield goalie Liam Roberts under examination, who made an amazing diving save.

Roberts was once again called to action when he tipped Dwight McNeil’s free kick over to maintain Mansfield in contention at Goodison Park.
Although Everton was in control of the game, they failed to score and Mansfield was searching ghosts by halftime.

Everton’s breakthrough came in the 51st minute when Carlos Alcaraz assisted Harrison Armstrong just outside the penalty box.

They almost extended their lead when Beto shot straight at Mansfield’s goalie, Liam Roberts. 

However, the Guinea-Bissau forward ultimately scored from a low cross by Armstrong, securing a League One triumph and a spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Ghana pick squad for Chad and Mali World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana picks 24-man squad for Chad and Mali World Cup qualifiers

With games against Chad and Mali scheduled in early September, Ghana head coach Otto Addo has released his squad list for the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

In Addo’s selection of 24 players, only one home-based player made the cut, that is Accra Hearts of Oak goalie Benjamin Asare.

Thursday, September 4, the Black Stars will first go to N’Djamena to face Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno.

They will return home four days later to face Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, in front of what is predicted to be a big crowd.

Among the well-known players listed are Tottenham Hotspur’s Mohammed Kudus, Athletic Bilbao’s Iñaki Williams, Leicester City’s Jordan Ayew, and Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey.

Defensive stalwarts like Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, and Gideon Mensah have also been remembered, while Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo and Atalanta forward Kamaldeen Sulemana enhance the attack.

Reflecting Otto Addo’s strategy of combining knowledge with youth as Ghana pushes, youngsters like Ibrahim Sulemana and Christopher Bonsu Baah also made the team. For a great presentation to the candidates.

With two important games ahead, the Black Stars will be aiming for maximum points to boost their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In Addo's selection of 24 players, only one homebased player to make the cut that is Accra Hearts of Oak goalie Benjamin Asare.
In Addo's selection of 24 players, only one homebased player to make the cut that is Accra Hearts of Oak goalie Benjamin Asare.