Category: Sport News

Sierra Leone's head coach Karim reflects on victory over Djibouti
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s head coach Karim reflects on victory over Djibouti

Sierra Leone’s head coach, Amidu Karim, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s 2-1 win against the Sharks of Djibouti in their match-day three 2026 World Cup qualifier in Morocco – on Wednesday.

It was his first win in the group. The victory marks a significant step in Sierra Leone’s quest to secure a spot in the global tournament. However, Karim also urged his players to remember that African football is rapidly improving.

Following their departure from Morocco, the team is set to continue their preparations for the upcoming match against the Les Étalons of Burkina Faso in Bamako, Mali, on Monday.

Karim’s squad is set to receive a substantial boost with the acquisition of Huddersfield Town’s attacker, Josh Koroma. His arrival is poised to provide essential momentum for the team as they gear up for a challenging match against Burkina Faso.

“I was pleased with the victory as it was much-needed. However, as I’ve always said, teams in African football are rapidly improving,” Karim told Football Sierra Leone.

“I understand that fans were expecting more goals from the team, but the determination from the players was evident. Djibouti proved to be a tough side, but we fought back and secured the win.

“In today’s African football landscape, there are no underdogs. Djibouti’s recent performance exemplifies this shift. As we prepare to face Burkina Faso, we recognize the need for a revised game plan, and we are committed to beginning our preparations as soon as we arrive in Mali.”

Monday – 10 June 2024

  • Burkina Faso v Sierra Leone (Group A) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali

 

Huddersfield Town's Josh Koroma could make Sierra Leone's debut in Bamako
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Josh Koroma could make Sierra Leone debut in Bamako

The English League One attacking player is on the verge of making his debut with the Sierra Leone National team in Bamako, marking a significant moment in his career.

Koroma, with Sierra Leonean heritage, hails from Peckham, South London, and has been honing his football skills since the tender age of 3. His inclusion is set to provide a vital lift for coach Amidu Karim’s squad as they prepare for a challenging match against Burkina Faso.

This follows Sierra Leone’s recent victory in Group A, where they secured a win against Djibouti with notable goals from Curtis Davies and Augustus Kargbo.

Mon June 10th 2024

  • Burkina Faso v Sierra Leone (Group A) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali

Background

Huddersfield Town signed forward Josh Koroma from Leyton Orient ahead of the 2019/20 campaign. Born on 9 November 1998, Josh joined the Leyton Orient Academy at 15 years old.

He made his First Team debut for Orient in April 2016 and signed his first professional contract five months later.

Koroma played a key role in Orient’s championship-winning campaign and later moved to Rotherham United on loan.

The former Leyton Orient attacker scored important goals upon his return to Huddersfield Town, securing their place in the Sky Bet Championship. With Neil Warnock’s return, re-signing Josh became a top priority for the team.

Nine goals were scored as African teams resumed their CAF FIFA World Cup African qualifiers on Wednesday,
by FSL News

Recap of Wednesday’s Africa World Cup qualifiers

On Wednesday, June 5th, African teams returned to the CAF FIFA World Cup 2026 African qualifiers to secure a spot at the global event. A total of nine goals were scored in the intense matches.

Togo and South Sudan shared the spoils in Lome, while the Central African Republic defeated Chad 1-0 in Morocco. Namibia played a 1-1 draw against Liberia in Johannesburg, while Tunisia narrowly defeated Equatorial Guinea 1-0 and Sierra Leone rallied to a 2-1 victory over Djobouti’s Sharks.

Sierra Leone 2-1 Djibouti

Goals: C. Davies 12’, Augustus. Kargbo 51’ / G. Dadzie (penalty) 35’

Sierra Leone faced a tough match against Djibouti, ultimately securing a 2-1 victory. The game saw goals from Curtis Davies and Augustus Kargbo for Sierra Leone and a penalty goal by Guirehanta Dadzie for Djibouti.

Togo 1-1 South Sudan

Goals: K. Narey 61’ / R. Aholou (own goal) 68’

Togo was held to a 1-1 draw at home by South Sudan. Khaled Narey gave Togo the lead in the 61st minute, but Roger Aholou’s own goal in the 68th minute levelled the score, earning South Sudan a point. With this result, Togo is fourth in Group B, with South Sudan in fifth.

Central African Republic 1-0 Chad

Goal: V. Baboula 29’

Geoffrey Kondogbia’s goal in the 29th minute secured a 1-0 victory for the Central African Republic over Chad, moving them to third place in the group, while Chad remains at the bottom.

Namibia 1-1 Liberia

Goals: T. Karuuombe 8’ / T. Sackor 65’

Namibia’s early lead, courtesy of Tijpe Karuuombe’s goal in the 8th minute, was cancelled out by Tonia Tisdell Sackor’s goal in the 65th minute, resulting in a 1-1 draw between Namibia and Liberia.

Tunisia 1-0 Equatorial Guinea

On Wednesday, Tunisia continued their perfect start to the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Tunis

In a closely contested Group H match at the Hammadi Al-Aqrabi Stadium, Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan’s 82nd-minute penalty made the difference as the Carthage Eagles secured their third consecutive win.

Debutant Curtis Davies nets as Sierra Leone register first win In Group A
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Curtis Davies nets as Sierra Leone register first win

Curtis Davies made history as the oldest international debutant to score for a national team in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. This happened after a tense 2-1 victory against Djibouti at Stade El Abdi on Wednesday night.

The Leone Stars started the brightest as they took the lead in the 12th minute, capitalizing on their early pressure with a goal scored by 39-year-old Curtis Davies, marking his competitive national team debut.

Following a defensive blunder by coach Amidu Karim’s side, Djibouti was awarded a penalty just after the half-hour mark when Emmanuel Samadia was handballed inside his penalty area. Gabriel Dadzie stepped up to take the penalty and successfully sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

The game entered a scrappy period towards the end of the first half, with neither side creating clear goal-scoring chances.

In the 51st minute of the match, the Leone Stars increased their lead when Augustus Kargbo successfully found the back of the net.

Despite this, Djibouti persisted in their efforts to score a second goal, while Sierra Leone responded by making defensive substitutions in an attempt to control the game.

Sierra Leone managed to maintain their lead and achieved a much-needed 2-1 victory in Morocco, confidently navigating the remaining minutes of the game.

Sierra Leone: Kamara, Davies, Kabia, Kakay, Alusine Koroma, Samadia, Kaikai (D Kanu 67’), Bakayoko (A Conteh 67’), Bundu (Dumbuya 79’), Alhassan Koroma (Sillah 88’), Kargbo (Michael 79’)

Djibouti: Luyima, Farada, Siad, Abdi (Omar 72’), Hamadou, Mohamed, Elabeh (Elmi 90’), Aden (Ramadan Abillahi 73’), Akinbinu, Dadzie, Abdillahi

Sierra Leone managed to maintain their lead and achieved a much-needed 2-1 victory in Morocco, confidently navigating the remaining minutes of the game.
Sierra Leone managed to maintain their lead and achieved a much-needed 2-1 victory in Morocco, confidently navigating the remaining minutes of the game.
Debut for Curtis Davies, Bakayoko, Kaikai leads the attack against Djibouti
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Debut for Curtis Davies as Bakayoko & Kaikai lead attack


Curtis Davies, a seasoned player who first represented the England under-21 team in 2006, is on the brink of making his official international debut for Sierra Leone, where he is expected to showcase his skills and experience as a central defender.

“If I make my international debut for the team, it will be a great honour. My father will fly out for the games, and he is as excited as I am. If I am selected, it will be a significant moment for my family,” Davies stated confidently to Football Sierra Leone a few days ago.

Sierra Leone’s head coach, Amidu Karim, is confident about his team’s chances for today’s World Cup qualifier against Djibouti.

Forest Green striker Amadou Bakayoko and Cambridge United attacker Sullay Kaikai will lead the Leone Stars.

Augustus Kargbo, a key player in Cesena’s successful Serie B promotion campaign, and Mustapha Bundu from Plymouth Argyle are set to take the field at the El Hadija Stadium this afternoon.

Coach Karim has underlined the crucial importance of securing a victory for qualification and has spoken highly of the players’ preparedness to showcase their best performance.

Sierra Leone’s Last three Games L-L-L

Djibouti’s Last Three Games D-L-D

Wednesday – 05 June 2024

  • Sierra Leone v Djibouti (Group A) | 1600 | El Jadida, Morocco
Sierra Leone first team for Djibouti's Sharks
Sierra Leone first team for Djibouti's Sharks