Category: Sport News

Southern Arena ready to host San Pedro as Rangers bolster squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Southern Arena ready to host San Pedro as Rangers bolster squad

Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone’s reigning champions, have bolstered their team with the season’s top scorer, Musa Noah Kamara, and six new players.

In addition, the Confederation of African Football has approved the Southern Arena to host next month’s Interclub first-leg match against Ivorian side San Pedro, Football Sierra Leone Understands.  

The new additions to Bo Rangers’ squad include young left-back Idrissa Sesay from Freetonians SLIFA, versatile defender Edmund Momoh, Lamin Conteh from FC Johansen, goalkeeper Abubakarr Kamara from Wusum Stars, George Mattar, who was in Sweden and Michael Brima from Alpha Lions in Kenema, making the squad stronger – as they prepare for the upcoming CAF Champions League campaign in August.

Musa, the leading goal scorer this season, scoring 15 goals and winning the Golden Boot, has re-joined his former club and is the first player to achieve this award with three different clubs.

Bo Rangers will face the Ivorian team San Pedro in a crucial match during the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League next month for a place in the next round.

The tie will occur between the 16th and 18th of August, followed by a trip to Ivory Coast the following weekend.

It’s worth noting that since 1989, when Mighty Blackpool reached the Quarterfinal stage of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, no Sierra Leonean team has progressed to the group stages of Interclub competitions.

These upcoming competitions will provide a chance for Rangers and East End Lions to make a significant impact in continental football and rewrite history.

Mali will play their first match against Israel in the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday, July 24th - kick off at 6:00 PM CAT.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali ready for Israel in Olympics football showdown

Mali will play their first match against Israel in the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday, July 24th – kick off at 6:00 PM CAT.

The match will be at Parc des Princes in Paris, France. Mali had a 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan in a friendly match on June 10th. They haven’t lost in their last four matches, winning three and drawing one.

“As coach, my objective is to do better than our quarter-final finish at Athens 2004,” Badra Diallo told FIFA. The well-travelled Malian is sure to have lofty ambitions for his troops when the action gets underway in France, not least because the Olympic movement holds a special place in his heart.

Keep an eye on midfielder Boubacar Traoré, who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League.

Israel lost 2-0 to Germany in the 2025 UEFA Under 21 Euro qualifiers in March 2024 and hasn’t played since. They have lost their last six matches. Oscar Gloukh, an attacking midfielder for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga, is a key player for Israel.

This will be the first time Mali and Israel meet at the under-23 level. The match will be officiated by referee Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh from New Zealand.

Olympics history – Previous participations: 1 (Athens 2004) – Best result: Quarter-finals (Athens 2004)

Mali headed to Athens in 2004, eager to emulate the exploits of African heavyweights Nigeria and Cameroon, who had reigned supreme in the previous two editions of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament.

Les Aigles Espoirs got their campaign up and running with a scoreless stalemate against Mexico before making their mark against the hosts with a 2-0 win. Well placed to advance to the next round, the tournament first-timers shared the spoils with the Korea Republic in a thrilling tussle that ended 3-3, a result that was enough to see them progress as group winners.

The West Africans then took Italy to extra time in the quarter-finals following a goalless draw after normal time, only for Cesare Bovo’s 116th-minute header to crush Malian dreams of an Olympic medal.

Mali’s Group D fixtures – All kick-off times are local

Wednesday, 24 July – Mali v Israel | 21:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris

Saturday, 27 July- Japan v Mali | 21:00 | Stade de Bordeaux

Tuesday, 30 July – Paraguay v Mali | 21:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris

Women's Olympic - Nigeria to open against Brazil as Zambia meet USA
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Women’s Olympic: Nigeria face Brazil as Zambia meet USA

Africa’s representatives, Nigeria and Zambia, will kick off their campaigns on the opening day of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 on Thursday, alongside ten other teams.

Nigeria vs. Brazil Venue: Stade de Bordeaux, Kick-off: 19:00

Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.

Nigeria is the most experienced African nation at the Games, having competed three times in the past. Brazil has won both previous meetings against Nigeria.

They won 4-3 after extra time in the 1999 Women’s World Cup quarter-final and 3-1 in the group stage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

USA vs. Zambia Venue: Stade de Nice, Kick-off: 21:00

The U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team starts their 2024 Summer Olympics journey on July 25 against Zambia at Stade de Nice in Nice, France. The game will be at 9 p.m. local time / 3 p.m. ET.

The USA’s only previous Olympic match against an African team was a 3-1 victory against Nigeria at Sydney 2000.

During Tokyo 2020, Zambia’s captain Barbra Banda made history by becoming the first player to score hat-tricks in back-to-back Olympic matches.

She scored three goals in each of the group-stage matches against the Netherlands and China PR.

Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Meanwhile, host nation France will play against Colombia, while World champions Spain will face Japan in a rematch of their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 group-stage meeting, which Japan won 4-0.

Germany will compete against Australia from Group B as Canada takes on New Zealand.

See the link for full Women’s Olympic matches.

Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.
Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.
Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Senegal's defender Mamadou Fall joins Barcelona
by FSL News

Senegal’s defender Mamadou Fall joins Barcelona

Senegal’s defender Mamadou Fall has officially joined Barcelona, as confirmed by Major League Soccer side Los Angeles.

Fall, 21, spent last season on loan at Barça and featured in 22 matches for their reserves. Previously, LAFC loaned the Senegalese centre back to Villarreal CF.

LAFC initially signed Fall in June 2021. His profile quickly grew, and now he has 11 goals and two assists in 101 professional appearances, including five goals and one assist in 36 regular-season games with the Black & Gold.

“Fall is a player with incredible potential and exceptional talent,” said LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington.

“He began his professional journey at LAFC, and we are excited to see him join not only one of the top clubs in the world but also a great environment for his continued development. We wish him nothing but the best in his career at Barcelona.”

Sierra Leone-born Trevoh Chalobah out of Chelsea US pre-season trip
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone-born Trevoh Chalobah out of Chelsea pre-season trip

Trevoh Chalobah has not been included in Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the USA, where the team is scheduled to play five matches ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

The defender is among the players that Chelsea is looking to sell this summer and has garnered interest from Crystal Palace.

With several players vying for positions, Chelsea has chosen to leave Chalobah at home, indicating the club’s willingness to part ways with the player.

Among the selected centre-backs for the Stateside tour are Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, and summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo.

The decision to exclude Chalobah was not made lightly, highlighting the club’s careful consideration of its squad composition.

Chalobah has been with Chelsea for 17 years and is currently under contract until 2028, making it harder to transfer him.

Chelsea’s USA Tour 2024

  • Chelsea vs Wrexham – Wednesday 24 July at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
  • Chelsea vs Celtic – Saturday 27 July at Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana.
  • Chelsea vs Club America – Wednesday 31 July at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Chelsea vs Manchester City – Saturday 3 August at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
  • Chelsea vs Real Madrid – Tuesday 6 August at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Chelsea confirmed USA trip 28-man squad
Chelsea confirmed USA trip 28-man squad