Category: Sport News

Sierra Leone's Augustine Williams nets hat trick in 13 minutes
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Augustine Williams nets hat-trick in 13 minutes

Sierra Leone International Augustine Williams, a forward for Indy Eleven, scored three goals in their triumph over Miami FC, helping his team win 4-0 at Carroll Stadium.

Williams’ hattrick came in the second half, within 13 minutes. This brought his total goals for the season to eight, ranking him second on the team behind Jack Blake.

Williams is now tied for sixth all-time in the USL Championship Top Ten list with 74 career goals with this performance.

He is just one goal behind his teammate Sebastian Guenzatti. Williams is the third player in the team’s history to achieve a hat trick, following Manuel Arteaga and Eamon Zayed.

This game also saw the team tie a franchise record by scoring four goals in one half. The game’s first goal was a penalty kick by Jack Blake in the 62nd minute, making his total 6-6 on penalty kicks this season. Goalie Hunter Sulte made one save, earning his seventh clean sheet of the season.

Ivory Coast named a strong squad for the Sierra Leone doubleheader
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivory Coast named strong squad for Sierra Leone doubleheader

Ivorian coach Emerse Faé has selected a strong 25-man squad for two matches against Sierra Leone in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Striker Sébastien Haller returned after missing the last two qualifiers. He joined La Liga club Leganés on loan for the 2024–25 season on August 30, 2024.

The Laurent Pokou Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for the first match between Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone on October 11. The game is a crucial one for the 2025 qualifier.

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced that the second leg of the doubleheader will be held on October 15 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia.

Ivory Coast has had a perfect start in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, winning their matches against Zambia and Chad, securing the top position in Group G with six points.

The Leone Stars will aim to bounce back from their recent loss to Zambia and revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Here is the squad selected by Ivory Coast for the upcoming matches.

Ivory Coast named a strong squad for the Sierra Leone doubleheader
Ivory Coast named a strong squad for the Sierra Leone doubleheader
Sierra Leone League Board Chairman Victor Lewis calls for calm
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone League Board Chairman Victor Lewis calls for calm

Football administrator Victor Lewis has urged the football fraternity and stakeholders to work in peace after being re-appointed as Premier League Board Chairman.

The Sierra Leone Football Association has confirmed that Lewis will continue as the Board Chairman for the 2024/2025 season, along with Daniel S Momoh, Brima S Turay, and Abu Manley Conteh as FA’s representatives.

Talking to Football Sierra Leone, Lewis expressed his commitment, passion, and dedication to sacrificing and serving the beautiful game. He deeply appreciates every appointment as a recognition of his contribution to the development of the game in Sierra Leone.

“Now, it’s time to develop the game, and I need everyone on board to support the process. We need total peace in changing the narrative – I am calling on all factions to achieve a successful season.”

We have to keep developing talents like Juma Bah, who made his Spanish La Liga debut with Valladolid a few days ago. We must unite in building the game for the clubs and players to be the beneficiaries.”

Football is the only thing that unites us as a nation, and the league last season generated some positives, like the Shooting Stars qualifying for the African Cup of Nations U20 and Juma Bah making headlines in Spain.

It’s time we build on this achievement moving forward – we must work together to make the league much more efficient and successful.”

The season is set to begin in October as the reigning champions Bo Rangers prepare to defend their title.

AS Pikine Ligue 1 challenge excites midfielder Saidu Fofanah
by Football Sierra Leone

AS Pikine Ligue 1 challenge excites midfielder Saidu Fofanah

Saidu Fofanah, one of the top midfielders in the Sierra Leone Premier League, has signed with AS Pikine – Ligue 1 (Senegal) for two seasons and has described his move as an exciting challenge.

He expressed his excitement about joining the Association Sportive de Pikine based in Pikine – their home venue is the Stade Alassane Djigo, with a capacity of 5,000.

Saidu, 27, made his international debut with the Sierra Leone national team in a 1–0 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification win over Benin on 15 June 2021.

He stated that his decision to move to Senegal was to try a new challenge in his football career and experience a different style of football in one of the best countries in West Africa and the continent.

He expressed his eagerness to compete in a new league outside Sierra Leone and help his new teammates, just as he did with FC Kallon.

“The season will start next month on 19th October, but there will be a four-team tournament starting on Friday. I’m looking forward to showing what I can do on the pitch.”

Saidu was part of the Sierra Leone squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Saidu Fofanah was playing for the Senegalese team in a warm-up friendly.
Saidu Fofanah was playing for the Senegalese team in a warm-up friendly.
Ismael Kabia makes Arsenal's senior debut in the Carabao Cup win over Bolton
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ismael Kabia makes Arsenal’s senior debut in Carabao Cup win over Bolton

Ismael Kabia, a native of Sierra Leone, made his senior debut for Arsenal as they secured a 5-1 victory over League One side Bolton in the Carabao Cup at Emirates Stadium.

As a result of this win, the London side advanced to the fourth round after a convincing performance against League One side Bolton.

Declan Rice opened the scoring, followed by two goals from Ethan Nwaneri on either side of half-time, making it 3-0. Although the visitors managed to score one goal, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz added to the scoreline, securing a strong victory for Mikel Arteta’s men.

In addition to the first starts for Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter and right-back Josh Nichols made their full debuts, with substitute appearances for Maldini Kacurri and Ismael Kabia.

Kabia expressed his excitement on his Instagram page, stating, “A dream come true to make my professional debut for Arsenal. Proud moment for me and my family and everyone that has helped me in my journey,” Kabia noted on his Instagram. 

The youngster, 18, signed his first professional contract in July and was impressive after he was subbed on in the 81st minute to make his senior debut.