Category: Sport News

Star Sport Academy's Citta Bah moves to Denmark to join Midtjylland
by FSL News

Star Sport Academy’s Citta Bah moves to Denmark to join Midtjylland

Star Sport Academy midfielder Cita Bah's move has been officially confirmed, as the 19-year-old joins Danish Superliga club FC Midtjylland.

This milestone marks a major step in his career and showcases the growing talent from Sierra Leone.

Rising Star: Cita Bah’s Journey

Since joining Star Sport Academy in 2022, Bah has been a pivotal player, helping the team secure Premier League promotion. Known for his vision, passing, and midfield control, he has proven himself capable of performing under pressure. FC Midtjylland scouts were impressed with his development, leading to the Cita Bah Midtjylland move.

National Team Performances Highlight Potential

Bah earned attention on the international stage while representing Sierra Leone in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt. His composure, tactical awareness, and work rate in midfield demonstrated why he was ready for European football.

First International Appearance Shines

He made his debut with the Shooting Stars U20 team, coming on in the 88th minute during a 4-1 victory over Egypt at the Suez Canal Stadium. His confident performance further justified FC Midtjylland’s decision to invest in him.

Star Sport Academy’s Pride and Support

“As a club, we are proud of Cita Bah’s development and hope he continues to excel in this new chapter,” said Ing Yankuba J Tarawally, Chairman of Star Sport Academy.

The Cita Bah Midtjylland move is a proud moment for Sierra Leonean football and highlights the academy’s ability to nurture world-class talent.

Juma Bah's Nice kick off UEFA Europa League against Roma
by Football Sierra Leone

Juma Bah’s Nice kick off UEFA Europa League campaign against Roma

The group stage of the UEFA Europa League is set to commence for a second season, with each team scheduled to play nine matches on Wednesday, September 24, and Thursday, September 25.

Sierra Leone International Juma Bah will be a key player in defence as two-time runners-up Roma kick off their season against Nice, a team they have never faced in any UEFA tournament before.

This Wednesday, OGC Nice will play its first match in the Europa League at home against AS Roma (kick-off at 9 p.m.). Take a look at images from today’s training session.

Bah, 19, has been a crucial player in Nice’s defence since his loan transfer from Manchester City, participating in every match this season.

On January 27, 2025, Manchester City announced that Bah was registered as a player for the club and revealed that he would be loaned to Ligue 1 team Lens in France. Later that same year, on June 25, he transferred to another Ligue 1 club, Nice, on loan for the 2025–26 season.

The French team has been experiencing mixed results since the start of the new Ligue 1 campaign, having recorded two wins and three losses in their first five matches.

The Italian team, on the other hand, recorded three victories and one loss in their first four Serie A league matches.

Roma (ITA)

UEFA coefficient ranking: 14

How they qualified: Fifth in Italy

Last season: Europa League quarter-finals (L3-4 vs Athletic Club)

Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Runners-up (1990/91, 2022/23)

Nice (FRA) 

UEFA coefficient ranking: 94

How they qualified: Champions League third qualifying round

Last season: League phase (35/36)

Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Third round (1972/73)

Wednesday 24 September

All kick-off times 21:00 CET unless stated

PAOK vs M. Tel-Aviv (18:45)

Midtjylland vs Sturm Graz (18:45)

GNK Dinamo vs Fenerbahçe

Real Betis vs Nottingham Forest

Braga vs Feyenoord

Crvena Zvezda vs Celtic

Freiburg vs Basel

Nice vs Roma

Malmö vs Ludogorets

CAF Confederation Cup wrap-up: Asante Kotoko beat Kwara United
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF Confederation Cup wrap-up: Asante Kotoko beat Kwara United

Ghana's Asante Kotoko 4-3 against Kwara United from Nigeria on Sunday in the first leg of the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup qualifying.

The match took place at the national stadium in Accra. Kotoko took the lead twice in the first half with goals from Emmanuel Antwi and Albert Amoah. However, Johnmark Atule equalised for Kwara twice, making it 2-2 at halftime.

In the second half, Kotoko pulled ahead again with goals from Joseph Ablorh and Amoah, who scored from a penalty. Kwara managed to score again when Abdulraheem Shola found the net five minutes before the end.

The second leg is on September 28 in Abeokuta, about 100 kilometres north of Lagos.

Kotoko seeks to reclaim its strength in African football, having reached the CAF Champions League finals seven times and winning twice between 1967 and 1993. They also lost the first Confederation Cup final in 2004 to Hearts of Oak.

Kwara competes in the Confederation Cup for the third time, previously exiting the qualifying phase against the Moroccan team Renaissance Berkane.

In another match, Abia Warriors drew 1-1 with Malian club Djoliba, thanks to a goal from Chukwuemeka Obioma.

South African team Kaizer Chiefs lost 1-0 to Angolan club Kabuscorp, with Edo Bokota scoring. Chiefs have only won one trophy in the last ten seasons, the FA Cup final against Orlando Pirates, as coach Nasreddine Nabi couldn’t travel to Angola, leaving assistant coaches in charge.

Results – First Preliminary Round (First legs)

16 September
Forestiers FC (Seychelles) 1–0 15 de Agosto (Equatorial Guinea)

19 September
Welayta Dicha (Ethiopia) 0–0 Al-Ittihad (Libya)
Aigle Royal (Cameroon) 0–1 San Pedro (Côte d’Ivoire)
USFA (Burkina Faso) 1–0 Gbohloe-su (Togo)
Nigelac (Niger) 0–0 Olympique de Safi (Morocco)

20 September
El Merriekh Bentiu (South Sudan) 0–2 Azam (Tanzania)
Flambeau du Centre (Burundi) 2–1 Al Akhdar (Libya)
Madani (Sudan) 1–0 Étoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia)
FC 105 Libreville (Gabon) 2–0 ZESCO United (Zambia)
Bhantal (Senegal) 0–3 Hafia (Guinea)
Singida Black Stars (Tanzania) 1–0 Rayon Sports (Rwanda)
Stade Tunisien (Tunisia) 2–0 SNIM (Mauritania)
Kabuscorp (Angola) 1–0 Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
NEC FC (Uganda) 2–2 Nairobi United (Kenya)

21 September
Generation Foot (Senegal) 1–1 Académie de FAD (Côte d’Ivoire)
Black Man Warrior (Liberia) 0–0 Coton FC (Benin)
Abia Warriors (Nigeria) 1–1 Djoliba (Mali)
Asante Kotoko (Ghana) 4–3 Kwara United (Nigeria)
15 de Agosto (Equatorial Guinea) 4–0 Forestiers FC (Seychelles)
Primeiro de Agosto (Angola) 1–2 Otohô d’Oyo (Congo)
Port (Djibouti) 1–2 KMKM (Zanzibar)
Dekedda (Somalia) 1–0 Zamala Ruwaba (Sudan)
Ferroviário Maputo (Mozambique) 1–1 AS Fanalamanga (Madagascar)
Mighty Wanderers (Malawi) 1–0 Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana)

Second-leg dates: 26–28 September 2025.

Stade d’Abidjan, Young Africans and Ethiopian Insurance register wins
by FSL News

Stade d’Abidjan, Young Africans and Ethiopian Insurance register wins

The 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League commenced over the weekend as clubs across Africa embarked on their first matches in the Preliminary Round.

The initial leg featured decisive victories and closely contested matches, creating excitement and laying the groundwork for crucial return fixtures next weekend. CAFOnline reviews some of the results from the first legs of the Preliminary Stage.

In Seychelles, Stade d’Abidjan established a strong position with a solid 2–0 away win against Côte d’Or. The Ivorian team’s composed display puts them in a favourable spot ahead of the home leg.

Benin’s Dadjè FC managed to hold Libyan powerhouse Al Ahly Tripoli to a goalless draw in a game with limited opportunities. With neither team gaining an advantage, the matchup remains delicately poised for the second leg in Tripoli.

Tanzanian champions Young Africans demonstrated their prowess on Angolan territory, winning 3–0 against Wiliete SC. Goals by Aziz Andabwile, Edmund Godfrey, and Prince Dube highlighted their attacking capabilities, granting the Tanzanian side a significant advantage before hosting the return match in Dar es Salaam next weekend.

In Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Insurance took advantage of their home field, achieving a 2–0 victory over Zanzibar’s Mlandege FC. The Ethiopians will travel confidently as they aim to complete the task next weekend.

Police FC scored a vital 3–1 away win at Mogadishu City Club, putting them in a strong position to advance to the next round. The Somali team now faces a tough challenge to overcome the deficit.

In one of the week’s key matchups, Zambian club Power Dynamos narrowly defeated ASEC Mimosas 1–0 in Ndola. An early goal from Innocent Kashita propelled the hosts to secure a slim but crucial first-leg lead against the Ivorian team.

Petro de Luanda of Angola displayed their experience on the continental stage with a 3–0 away victory over Cercle de Joachim in Mauritius. This result leaves them well-positioned to reach the Second Preliminary Round.

In another match in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Medhin achieved an important home win, defeating Mlandege FC 2–0. Capitalising on their dominance, the Ethiopian side scored twice to position themselves strongly ahead of the return leg, needing Mlandege to respond effectively on their home ground to keep their continental ambitions alive.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Orlando Pirates showcased their strength with a commanding 3–0 away victory over Lioli FC from Lesotho. A pair of goals from Tshegofatso Mabasa and a late strike by Oswin Appolis ensured the former African champions returned to Johannesburg with a solid advantage.

The return legs are set to take place from September 26 to 28, 2025, with aggregate victors progressing to the Second Preliminary Round. With a spot in the group stages ultimately on the line, clubs will aim to either safeguard their leads or launch determined comebacks in front of their home supporters.

First-leg results

19 September

  • African Stars (Namibia) 0–1 Vipers (Uganda)

  • Wiliete (Angola) 0–3 Young Africans (Tanzania)

  • Dadjè (Benin) 0–0 Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya)

  • Côte d’Or (Seychelles) 0–2 Stade d’Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

20 September

  • Al Hilal Benghazi (Libya) 1–0 Horoya (Guinea)

  • Gaborone United (Botswana) 0–1 Simba (Tanzania)

  • Fassell (Liberia) 0–0 MC Alger (Algeria)

  • Rahimo (Burkina Faso) 0–0 Mangasport (Gabon)

  • Bibiani Gold Stars (Ghana) 0–2 JS Kabylie (Algeria)

  • Aigles du Congo (DR Congo) 0–0 Rivers United (Nigeria)

  • Cercle de Joachim (Mauritius) 0–3 Petro Atlético (Angola)

  • Lioli (Lesotho) 0–3 Orlando Pirates (South Africa)

  • Mogadishu City (Somalia) 1–3 Police FC (Kenya)

  • Power Dynamos (Zambia) 1–0 ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire)

  • Ethiopian Insurance (Ethiopia) 2–0 Mlandege (Zanzibar)

21 September

  • Real de Banjul (Gambia) 0–2 FAR Rabat (Morocco)

  • Simba Bhora (Zimbabwe) 1–0 Nsingizini Hotspurs (Eswatini)

  • ASC Kara (Togo) 1–1 RS Berkane (Morocco)

  • East End Lions (Sierra Leone) 0–4 US Monastir (Tunisia)

  • Remo Stars (Nigeria) 4–0 US Zilimadjou (Comoros)

  • AS FAN (Niger) 0–3 Espérance Tunis (Tunisia)

  • Léopard (Congo) 0–0 Black Bulls (Mozambique)

  • Fundación Bata (Equatorial Guinea) 0–0 Nouadhibou (Mauritania)

  • Tempête MOCAF (Central African Republic) 0–5 Stade Malien (Mali)

  • Aigle Noir (Burundi) 0–0 ASAS (Djibouti)

  • Colombe (Cameroon) 0–0 Jaraaf (Senegal)

  • Jamus (South Sudan) 0–0 Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan)

  • Elgeco Plus (Madagascar) 1–1 Silver Strikers (Malawi)

Second-leg ties are scheduled for 26–28 September 2025.

Striker Alie Conteh nets to help Strømsgodset defeat Sarpsborg 08
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Alie Conteh nets to help Strømsgodset defeat Sarpsborg 08

Sierra Leone forward Alie Conteh scored in the 10th minute for his Norwegian team, Strømsgodset in their match against Sarpsborg 08 at the Marienlyst Stadium on Sunday.

Conteh, 20, made an impressive contribution in their 2-1 win, finding the back of the net to kick off the scoring for his Norwegian club, Strømsgodset, in their match against Sarpsborg 08 at the Marienlyst Stadium on Sunday.

The visitors managed to equalise in the 33rd minute when Jesper Taaje inadvertently directed the ball into his own net, much to the dismay of his teammates.

However, Strømsgodset quickly regained control when Gustav Valsvik netted a goal in the 61st minute, giving the home side the lead once again.

With solid teamwork and determination, Strømsgodset held on to secure a well-deserved victory in this thrilling encounter.

The victory holds significant importance for the Gulskogen team, based in Drammen, as they seek to escape the lower part of the Eliteserien standings.