Category: Sport News

CAF Champions League, Al Hilal through to the knockout stage
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF Champions League, Al Hilal through to the knockout stage

Al Hilal of Sudan became the first team to advance to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League knockout stage. Here are some round-up of weekend group matches.

  • Group A

Al-Hilal Omdurman became the first team to reach the knockout stage. They earned this by drawing 1-1 with MC Alger. Young Africans boosted their chances for the quarter-finals with a 3-1 comeback win over TP Mazembe in Dar es Salaam.

Although Mazembe initially took the lead with a penalty from Alioune Faty, Clement Mzize scored two goals, and Aziz Ki added another in the second half. This win was crucial for the Tanzanian champions.

Al-Hilal now has 10 points, five points ahead of second-placed MC Alger. They are guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015.

  • Group B  

FAR Rabat secured first place in Group B with a 2-0 victory over Maniema Union. Khalid Aït Ouarkhane and El Amine Zouhzouh scored the goals. In Casablanca, Raja won 1-0 against Mamelodi Sundowns in a match that had three red cards. Benaissa Benamar scored the winning goal for Raja. FAR Rabat leads the group with eight points, followed by Sundowns with five, Raja with four, and Maniema Union with three.

  • Group C

Orlando Pirates took the top spot in Group C with a strong 3-0 win against Stade d’Abidjan. Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Deon Hotto scored the goals. CR Belouizdad ended Al Ahly’s unbeaten run with a late 1-0 victory in Algiers. This win moved them to second place with six points, just two points behind the Pirates.

  • Group D

In Photo, Pyramids won 2-1 against Esperance in Cairo, tying them at the top of the group. Meanwhile, Sagrada Esperança beat Djoliba 1-0, keeping their chances for the knockout stage alive. Both Pyramids and Esperance have seven points, while Sagrada is close behind with five points.

Clinical Orlando Pirates ease past Stade d’Abidjan to top Group C
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Clinical Orlando Pirates ease past Stade d’Abidjan to top Group C

Orlando Pirates defeated Stade d’Abidjan 3-0 at Orlando Stadium, moving to the top of Group C in the CAF Champions League at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The first goal came in the 22nd minute when Mohau Nkota set up Relebohile Mofokeng for an easy score. Just five minutes into the second half, Maswanganyi doubled the lead.

Deon Hotto added a third goal in the final minutes. Despite some attempts from Stade d’Abidjan, the Pirates maintained control and secured a vital win, putting them one point ahead of Al Ahly and two points behind CR Belouizdad, with two games left.

Elsewhere, Raja Casablanca won 1-0 against Mamelodi Sundowns in a tough match that saw three players receive red cards. This victory keeps Raja’s hopes alive for qualifying in Group B of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

The match took place at Stade Larbi Zaouli. Benaissa Benamar scored the only goal in the 45th minute after a corner kick from Youssef Belammari.

Even after losing Marouane Zila to a second yellow card in the 80th minute, Raja’s defence remained strong despite being down to 10 players.

Nac Breda, NEC Nijmegen present Loan Opportunities for PSV Talent Isaac Babadi
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nac Breda, NEC Nijmegen present Loan Opportunities for PSV Talent Isaac Babadi

Dutch top-tier side PSV Eindhoven reportedly prepared to permit 19-year-old midfielder Isaac Babadi to leave on loan this month.

Recent reports from Eindhovens Dagblad indicate that five Eredivisie clubs have expressed interest in acquiring Babadi’s services.

The interested clubs include NAC Breda, Heerenveen, NEC Nijmegen, Heracles Almelo, and PEC Zwolle, all of which are eager to secure the young talent.

Isaac Babadi has demonstrated considerable promise, particularly at the beginning of last season, where his outstanding performances at the youth level earned him a regular place on the first team. However, he has recently seen reduced playing time and has primarily participated in matches for Jong PSV.

Both the player and the club have mutually agreed that a loan arrangement is the most beneficial path forward. PSV Eindhoven does not intend to pursue a permanent transfer or include an option to purchase in any loan agreement.

The club remains committed to Babadi’s development, considering him a valuable asset for the future, and believes that regular match experience will significantly contribute to his growth. Given the interest from multiple clubs, it is anticipated that he will find a new destination by the end of the month.

The Sierra Leone native agreed on a four-and-a-half-year contract in March 2024 after impressing the club’s management.

Striker Abu Kamara helps Hull City earn a point in six-goal thriller
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Abu Kamara helps Hull City earn a point in six-goal thriller

Abu Kamara scored twice as struggling Hull City came from behind to earn a point at home against Championship leaders Leeds United in a thrilling six-goal match.

Kamara opened the scoring early, but Ao Tanaka equalized for Leeds right after halftime. Dan James then put Leeds ahead in the 62nd minute, followed by Joel Piroe capitalizing on a mistake by Hull goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, making it 3-1.

Hull kept fighting, and Joao Pedro gave them hope with a goal nine minutes from the end. Kamara completed the comeback in the 89th minute, firing home after a corner was cleared to the edge of the area.

This marked Kamara’s third goal of the season since joining Hull City from Norwich City, showcasing his impact in a game that many did not expect Hull to contest given Leeds’ strong form at the top of the table.

Hull City head coach Ruben Selles told BBC Radio Humberside: “It’s a lesson for all of us for team building and the dressing room over the last 48 hours.

“Abu’s an honest kid and we can all have bad days, and we needed to protect him and we did that and it paid off.

“Sometimes you can misunderstand people – it’s important for the club and the dressing room to be able to support him and show we are strong together.

“We’ve shown we can compete against anyone today.”

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds: “Disappointed is probably the right word. In the first half, we were not sharp enough in both boxes and if we are 2% less on it then it’s difficult to win points.

“It was a good reaction in the second half. We were in control at 3-1 and could have scored a fourth, fifth or sixth goal, especially with Daniel James having a one-on-one chance.

“It’s then difficult to accept how we conceded two late goals without them really having a chance in the half, but somehow they were able to score.

“To drive away with one point is heartbreaking and disappointing.”

Mohamed Sankoh returns to join Stuttgart's U21 side in Spain
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mohamed Sankoh returns to join Stuttgart’s U21 side in Spain

Sierra Leone native Mohamed Sankoh has returned to parent club VfB Stuttgart and will join the German side U21 training camp in Spain. The striker joined the Italian Serie B side in Cosenza Calcio in August 2024, where he made nine appearances for the rossoblù.

Before Cosenzo’s move, Sankoh spent the last two seasons on loan in the Netherlands, first with Vitesse Arnhem and then with Heracles Almelo.

“The 21-year-old striker, who joined Serie B club Cosenza Calcio on loan at the end of August 2024, will travel to Spain with VfB’s U21 team for a training camp,” the German side confirmed.

Sports director Christian Gentner: “It is important for young players like ‘Mo’ to play regularly, so the early return is the right decision. ‘Mo’ will travel to the training camp with our U21 team to prepare for the second half of the season in the 3rd division.”

In his previous season, Sankoh scored six goals in 28 appearances for Heracles. He played 81 minutes in VfB U21’s opening third-division match against F.C. Hansa Rostock, which ended in a 1-1 draw.