Category: Sport News

Historic CAF Champions League Debut for Star Sport Academy
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Historic CAF Champions League Debut for Star Sport Academy

Star Sport Academy is poised to make history with its debut in the CAF Champions League, as they prepare to take on Gambian side Medina United following Thursday’s preliminary round draw in Cairo, Egypt.

This marks an exciting new challenge for the Academy as it gets ready to represent Sierra Leone on Africa’s premier club stage.

In the first week of September, we will host Gambia’s Medina United for the preliminary first leg, before travelling to the Gambia for the return match.

This two-legged tie offers Star Sport Academy a golden opportunity to make their mark in continental football while showcasing their skills against experienced opponents.

The Sierra Leonean top-flight side will continue with their training in Kenema, Sierra Leone. Meanwhile, they’ll compete in the West Africa Champions Cup in Guinea as part of their preparation.

“Our training has intensified, with players and coaching staff fully committed to a strong performance in this inaugural CAF Champions League campaign,” team Manager Musa Pokawa told this medium.

The winner over two legs will take on the Moroccan giants RS Berkane in the second round.

CAF has scheduled the first leg to take place in Sierra Leone from September 4th to 6th, 2026, while the return leg is slated for The Gambia between September 11th and 13th, 2026.

The second preliminary round qualifiers are planned for October, with the first leg matches scheduled for October 16th to 18th, and the return legs to be held from October 23rd to 25th, 2026.

Star Sport Academy Set for Historic CAF Champions League Debut
Star Sport Academy Set for Historic CAF Champions League Debut
by Football Sierra Leone

East End Lions Set to Face AF Amadou Diallo in CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Round

East End Lions will take on Ivorian outfit AF Amadou Diallo in the preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup following Thursday’s interclub draw in Cairo, Egypt.

The Sierra Leone representatives have been handed a challenging opening fixture against the Côte d’Ivoire side as they aim to progress to the next stage of Africa’s second-tier club competition.

The first leg is scheduled to be played during the opening weekend of September, with the return leg set for the weekend of 11–13 September. The two-legged encounter will determine which side advances to the next round of the competition.

East End Lions will now step up preparations for the continental assignment, with the technical team and players focused on producing strong performances and flying Sierra Leone’s flag with pride on the African stage.

They were dismantled in their last continental outing against  7-1 over two legs to Tunisian side US Monastir. 

East End Lions Set to Face AF Amadou Diallo in CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Round
East End Lions Set to Face AF Amadou Diallo in CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Round
Sierra Leone Interclub Representatives to Know Their Opponents Today
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone Interclub Representatives to Know Their Opponents Today

Today, Star Sport Academy and East End Lions Football Club will learn their continental opponents following the draw in Cairo.

Debutant Star Sport Academy has been chosen to represent Sierra Leone after the champions, Bo Rangers, withdrew from the competition. Meanwhile, one of Sierra Leone’s oldest clubs, East End Lions, secured victory in the Orange FA Cup, earning them a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup.

Football fans across the continent and beyond will be able to follow the draws live on CAF’s official YouTube channel, CAF TV.

The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup draw will begin at 14h00 Cairo time (11h00 GMT), followed by the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League draw at 15h00 Cairo time (12h00 GMT).

The draws will map out the route to the Group Stages of the two competitions, with 61 clubs entered in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and 56 set to compete in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

Colo-Colo unveil keeper Vozinha
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Colo-Colo unveil Cape Verde keeper Vozinha

Chilean club Colo Colo announced the signing of Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha on Tuesday. He helped his country reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was voted the tournament’s best goalkeeper by fans.

The 40-year-old, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, spoke at a news conference at Monumental David Arellano Stadium in Santiago.

“I expected something big because we are talking about Colo Colo, but I did not expect so many people,” Vozinha said. “I am happy to be received by so many people. I have to thank everyone.”

He last played for Portuguese team G.D. Chaves and said he feels fulfilled after the World Cup.

“I started playing professionally at 25. I come from a small country with few opportunities. I represent the Cape Verdean people, who work hard and never give up.”

Colo Colo is Chile’s most successful club and won the Copa Libertadores in 1991. They currently lead the Chilean Primera Division with 42 points from 17 matches, 12 points ahead of Universidad de Chile.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bubista resigns as Cape Verde coach to join RS Berkane

Pedro Leitão Brito, better known as Bubista, has stepped down as head coach of Cape Verde to take on a new challenge with Moroccan club RS Berkane. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast has brought back Herve Renard as their head coach.

Bubista led Cape Verde to the last 32 of the World Cup, where they lost 3-2 to Argentina after extra time. He also took the team to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. At RS Berkane, he signed a two-year contract, replacing Moin Chaabani, now coach of Tunisia.

Renard has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice, including with Ivory Coast in 2015. Ivory Coast decided not to renew Emerse Fae’s contract after their World Cup exit. Fae took over during the Africa Cup of Nations, where the team won the tournament.

Renard has coached Morocco and Saudi Arabia after leaving Ivory Coast in 2015. The length of his new contract is not disclosed, but he will arrive in Abidjan soon.

Bubista’s success with Cape Verde raised his profile to join RS Berkane, who, despite not being one of Morocco’s biggest clubs, has won a domestic league title and three Caf Confederation Cups.

Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup for the first time and was seen as an underdog story. The football federation thanked Bubista for his contributions and wished him well.

Bubista is one of several African coaches to leave post-World Cup. Vladimir Petkovic left Algeria after they lost to Switzerland, and Hugo Broos resigned as South Africa’s coach.

Senegal fired Pape Thiaw after losing to Belgium, considering Patrick Vieira as a replacement. The Ghana Football Association is discussing the future of Carlos Queiroz after his team’s World Cup exit.