Category: Sport News

Debutant Sierra Leone draw reigning champions Senegal in U20 AFCON
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Debutant Sierra Leone draw reigning champions Senegal in U20 AFCON

Sierra Leone will face a tough challenge in this year’s CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). A draw held on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt, placed them in Group C with Senegal, Zambia, and Kenya.

The Shooting Stars from Sierra Leone are preparing to compete against the reigning champions, Senegal, as well as Zambia and Kenya. This championship is scheduled to take place from April 26 to May 18 in Côte d’Ivoire.

Kenya will represent the CECAFA region with Tanzania, as both teams reached the qualifiers final in Dar es Salaam last October. Tanzania won that match 2-1, but both teams qualified for the tournament.

Tanzania is in Group A, where they will compete against the hosts Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Ghana, and one more team from the UNIFFAC region, which has not yet been confirmed.

The second team from the UNIFFAC Zonal Union is still to be announced because of Congo’s FIFA suspension.

Group B includes three-time champions Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, and 1997 winners Morocco.

The top two teams from each group will move on to the quarter-finals, along with the two best third-placed teams. The tournament will then proceed in a knockout format.

The four best teams will qualify for the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, which will take place in Chile from September 27 to October 19, 2025.

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/1890026891752652915

Mustapha Bundu nets as Plymouth Argyle thrash Millwall
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu nets as Plymouth Argyle thrash Millwall

Sierra Leone international Mustapha Bundu contributed to Millwall’s 5-1 defeat against Plymouth Argyle in the Sky Bet Championship on Wednesday night.

Plymouth took an early lead with an own goal and a penalty scored by Ryan Hardie. In the second half, Hardie and Bundu quickly added two more goals. Joe Bryan scored a late consolation for Millwall before Nikola Katic made it 5-1.

Head Coach Alex Neil changed the starting lineup from the last game, bringing in Camiel Neghli for Ra’ees Bangura-Williams.

Plymouth scored first after six minutes when an accidental deflection went in off Joe Bryan. Hardie then converted a penalty following a foul in the box, making it 2-0.

Millwall nearly scored immediately after, but Mihailo Ivanovic’s header was saved. Neghli had a long-range shot tipped over, and moments later, Plymouth scored again. Bundu scored the third goal for Plymouth by turning and shooting past the goalie.

After substitutions, Azeez’s free-kick was deflected wide. In the 80th minute, Millwall finally scored when Azeez set up Bryan. However, Katic rounded off Plymouth’s scoring with a goal in the last minutes of the match.

Goals: Bryan og 6, Hardie pen 10, Bundu 53, Hardie 56, Katic 87

Millwall Goal: Bryan 80

Osman Kakay raring to go with Primeira Liga side Boavista
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Osman Kakay raring to go with Primeira Liga side Boavista

The former Queens Park Rangers academy graduate Osman Kakay has signed with the Portuguese Primeira Liga team Boavista as a free agent and says he can’t wait to get back on the pitch after a long absence. 

“I’m happy to be back playing football after a long break. Joining a big club like Boavista is a great honour,” said the excited Sierra Leone international.

He added, “I can’t wait to get started and enjoy playing football again.” Boavista is a well-known club, and even though it’s been a long time since I last played, I’ve had the chance to reflect and I believe now is the right time to return.”

He made his first appearance for QPR in August 2016. He played out of position on the right side of midfield during an EFL Cup second-round win over Rochdale and was substituted after 73 minutes, earning applause from the QPR fans.

On January 31, 2017, Kakay signed a loan deal with Chesterfield until the end of the 2016–17 season. In November 2018, QPR offered him a contract extension, keeping him at Loftus Road until 2021.

On September 2, 2019, Kakay went on loan to Partick Thistle until January 2020. He mainly played as a right back there but often as a right winger.

On September 5, 2020, Kakay scored his first professional goal in an EFL Cup match against Plymouth Argyle and signed a contract extension until 2024. He netted his first Championship goal on May 1, 2021, in a 2–0 win over Stoke City. QPR announced on May 6, 2024, that Kakay would leave the club when his contract expired that summer.

  • On the International stage

Kakay made his international debut for Sierra Leone on September 9, 2018, in a match against Ethiopia during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

In December 2021, he was named in the Sierra Leone squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. This marked the country’s first participation in the tournament since 1996.

Kakay played the entire ninety minutes in his team’s opening match, where they managed to draw 0-0 with Algeria, the defending champions and one of the favourites to win.

Read related – Sierra Leone’s Osman Kakay to Boavista is Imminent.

Sierra Leone appoint ex-striker Mohamed Kallon as head coach
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone appoint ex-striker Mohamed Kallon as head coach

Sierra Leone has appointed former Inter-Milan and Monaco striker Mohamed Kallon as the new Leone Stars head coach.

His first task will be leading the Leone Stars against Guinea-Bissau and Africa powerhouse Egypt in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The SLFA announced that they will officially unveil the Sierra Leone legend on a date to be determined later.

Kallon, 45, has signed a contract to replace Amidu Karim, who left after the team did not qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

This is Kallon’s first major coaching job. His first task will be to lead the team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt in March.

Before this, he managed his club, FC Kallon, in CAF competitions, but they were eliminated by Dreams FC from Ghana in September 2023.

Kalon’s Background

Kallon became the youngest player to debut for the Leone Stars at just 15 years old in April 1995. He played in a qualifying match for the 1996 African Cup of Nations against Congo and scored the winning goal.

At 16, Kallon played at the 1996 African Nations Cup in South Africa. He scored one of the two goals that led Sierra Leone to a 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso in their first group match.

Kallon has been an important member of the Leone Stars, participating in World Cup qualifying campaigns in 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010. His last game with the national team was on February 9, 2011, in a friendly against Nigeria. Kallon was the team captain but resigned after the team failed to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2010 African Cup of Nations.

https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/medical-update-kamil-conteh
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bristol Rovers medical update on midfielder Kamil Conteh

Bristol Rovers has provided an update on Sierra Leone international Kamil Conteh following a diagnosis of bone infection.

The midfielder has been unavailable for the Gas since playing in the Sky Bet League One match against Exeter City on Boxing Day due to a minor knee injury.

“After developing an unusual swelling in his foot, the 22-year-old underwent several tests and was diagnosed with a bone infection. It is unknown how Kamil picked up the infection,” the club noted.

That the infection was diagnosed early meant Kamil was able to receive quick and effective treatment, avoiding potential long-term problems.

We are pleased to share that Kamil is now back at The Quarters Training Facility after a short recovery period, working closely with the Club’s medical team to ensure his strength and conditioning rehabilitation is completed in the safest manner possible.

While the Club is unable to put a timeframe on Kamil’s return to action, all at Bristol Rovers look forward to seeing him back in the blue-and-white quarters as soon as he receives the all-clear to do so.