Category: Sport News

U-17 Cup of Nations set to kick off in Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

U-17 Cup of Nations set to kick off in Morocco

The CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 begins on Wednesday, featuring 16 teams vying for continental glory and a chance to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.

The tournament runs from May 13 to June 2, following a festival-style format that combines matches, training, and team activities in one location.

Most matches will take place at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, while the opening match, semi-finals, and final will be held at an alternative venue. The eight quarter-finalists will qualify automatically for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, while the four third-placed teams will compete in playoffs for the last two spots.

Defending champions Morocco lead Group A, facing Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Under coach Tiago Lima Pereira, Morocco aims to defend their title, relying on players like Adam Bougazir and Rami Loukmani. Their first match against Tunisia will be crucial. Tunisia’s coach, Nadjeh Toumi, will focus on strong defence and quick counterattacks.

In the other Group A game, Egypt takes on Ethiopia. Egypt, a former champion, seeks to reclaim its status, while Ethiopia returns to the tournament for the first time since 2003, having qualified with a 3-0 win over Kenya.

Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, along with Uganda and debutants DR Congo. Côte d’Ivoire, recent WAFU B champions, rely on technical skills and key players like Bema Doumbia. Cameroon, led by Alioum Saidou, boasts physical strength and solid defence.

With a mix of past champions and newcomers, the opening day will set the stage for a tournament showcasing Africa’s rising football talents. Each team aims to reach the knockout stage and compete for the title of African champions.

TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026:

GROUP A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia

Groupe B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroun, Ouganda, RD Congo

GROUP C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique 

GROUP D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana 

The link to the full tournament schedule 

League One promotion-chasing Lincoln City sign Sierra Leone's Kamil Conteh
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kamil Conteh returns to Bristol Rovers after the end of his loan deal

Sierra Leone international Kamil Conteh, who joined Lincoln City on loan from Bristol Rovers until the end of the season, is set to return to his parent club after his loan spell.

The former Grimsby player could not join the high-flying City Imps squad next season after their promotion to the English Championship. Lincoln City secured promotion to the Sky Bet Championship after a 2-1 win over Reading in early April.

Conteh, 23, has played almost 150 competitive career matches after starting at Premier League side Watford. He has also played for EFL clubs Middlesbrough, Grimsby Town, and Bristol Rovers.

Conteh’s arrival completed City’s transfers for the January window, but he only managed a couple of appearances for the Lincoln-based team.

Mustapha Raji is poised for third term as President Liberia Football Association without opposition
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Raji is poised for a third term as President Liberia FA without opposition

The current President of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), Mustapha Raji, is set to extend his leadership for another four years as he is the only candidate for the upcoming elections on May 15, 2026.

Raji’s chance for an unchallenged third term emerged after the LFA Elections Committee disqualified his sole opponent, Cassell A. Kuoh.

The committee determined that Kuoh was not eligible to run due to stipulations in the LFA Statutes that prevent individuals with previous criminal convictions from engaging in electoral processes.

This ruling effectively eliminates any competition from the election, leaving Raji as the sole candidate to guide the federation into a new term.

Having already completed two consecutive terms, Raji has overseen substantial advancements in Liberian football throughout his leadership, including administrative reforms and initiatives aimed at bolstering the domestic game.

In addition to his national responsibilities, he wields influence on a continental scale, having served as a two-term member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee.

His standing within CAF has further enhanced his reputation in the governance circles of African football.

The forthcoming election is now anticipated to be a mere formality, with focus shifting to Raji’s plans for what would be his third successive term as the leader of Liberian football.

Ascentonians FC, Malema Queens Relegated From Sierra Leone Women’s Top Flight
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Ascentonians FC, Malema Queens relegated from Sierra Leone Women’s top flight

As the league season wrapped up over the weekend, two Sierra Leone women’s football clubs, Ascentonians Football Club and Malema Queens Football Club, have been relegated from the 2025/26 Marampa Mines Women’s Premier League following their disappointing campaigns that saw both sides finish at the bottom of the standings.

The relegations confirmed on Monday, May 11, 2026, mark a bitter end to the season for the two clubs, whose struggles on both ends of the pitch ultimately proved costly in Sierra Leone’s top-tier women’s football competition.

Ascentonians endured a difficult promotion to elite football, collecting just nine points from 22 matches, the lowest tally among the league’s 12 clubs.

The Freetown-based side, which catapulted into the league two years ago, managed only two victories and three draws while suffering 17 defeats during the campaign, which they blamed on their defensive vulnerabilities after they were heavily exposed, with the club conceding 70 goals, the second-highest total in the league.

Their fellow strugglers, Malema Queens from the Eastern region, also failed to escape the drop after finishing with 15 points, after the side recorded four wins, three draws and 15 losses, while conceding a league-high 73 goals. Malema Queens’ total left them below the safety zone and a staggering 51 points behind unbeaten champions Mogbwemo Queens Football Club.

On the other hand, Mogbwemo Queens’ latest title triumph further strengthens the club’s growing dominance in Sierra Leone women’s football. However, the achievement places the two-time champions and Bonthe based club’s ahead of regional rivals Ram Kamara Football Club of Bo, last season’s league title holders.

While Ascentonians and Malema Queens now turn their focus toward rebuilding and securing an immediate return to the top flight through the Women’s First Division, Mogbwemo Queens are intensifying preparations for the upcoming WAFU A-Zone Clubs Competition.

Meanwhile, the reigning champions are set to make their second appearance in the WAFU A-ZONE regional tournament after debuting in 2024, with club officials describing the upcoming campaign as an opportunity to reaffirm Sierra Leone’s growing presence in women’s football across West Africa.

Kallum Cesay scores as Salford City win the first leg of their playoff tie at Grimsby
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kallum Cesay nets as Salford City win first leg of semi-final tie at Grimsby

Sierra Leone International Kallumm Cesay scored as Salford City came from behind to beat Grimsby Town 2-1, taking an advantage into the second leg at the Peninsula Stadium on Friday night.

Grimsby scored quickly, with Reece Staunton netting just 34 seconds in. However, Salford equalised within three minutes when Kallum Cesay scored with a low shot past Jackson Smith.

Salford took the lead late in the first half when Ade Oluwo headed in a corner from Luke Garbutt. After a slow start, the match became exciting when Staunton scored for Grimsby. Salford quickly responded, with Dan Udoh assisting Cesay, who found the net.

Salford pushed forward, creating chances, while Grimsby threatened with headers and shots that were blocked or saved.

In the final minutes of the first half, Salford took the lead for the first time this season against Grimsby, with Oluwo heading in from a corner delivered by Nmai.

The second half had fewer chances, with a free kick from Staunton going straight to Matty Young. Grimsby had a late chance to equalise, but Green’s shot was also saved.