Category: Sport News

Malawi referee Godfrey Nkhakananga will officiate Sierra Leone & Djibouti
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Malawi’s Godfrey Nkhakananga will officiate Sierra Leone & Djibouti

Malawi referee Godfrey Nkhakananga has been appointed to officiate the upcoming match between Sierra Leone and Djibouti’s Sharks at El Jadida, Morocco.

He will be supported by fellow Malawian Clemence Kanduku and Lucky Kegakologetswe from Botswana as Referee One and Referee Two, respectively, for Group A matchday three.

The match commissioner will be Sekou Konneh from Liberia, with Dintaw Keabetswe from Botswana as the fourth official and Bimbyo Patrick James from Gabon as the referee assessor.

Nkhakananga gained attention when he controversially allowed a goal for Silver Strikers against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers on 23rd September 2023, despite blowing his whistle before the goal.

As a result, he received a four-month ban but returned to officiate matches in the Four Nations tournament, including a game between Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Coach Amidu Karim speaks on Sierra Leone and Djibouti qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Karim speaks on Sierra Leone and Djibouti qualifier

Sierra Leone’s head coach, Amidu Karim, is confident about his team’s chances as they gear up for the World Cup qualifier against Djibouti.

Karim’s 24-man team is currently in Morocco, undergoing intensive training and preparation for their crucial match on June 5th against Djibouti. This match holds immense significance as it is a crucial step in their journey to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Their ambition is to secure a spot in this prestigious global tournament, and they are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to achieve this goal.

Karim has opted for consistency by maintaining the same squad for the upcoming matches against Djibouti and Burkina Faso. He is relying on the experience of players like Steven Caulker and Curtis Davies to guide the younger members of the team.

Expressing his optimism, Karim stated, “I am confident that we will achieve the desired results. The players are highly motivated and ready to give their best on the field.”

“We need their experience and expertise in guiding the younger players because they have gone through that stage at some point in their career.”

He emphasized the importance of winning for qualification and highlighted the players’ readiness to deliver their best performance.

The coach also noted that many players have had a successful season with their respective clubs, which adds to the team’s strength from a technical standpoint.

In the latest standings, Egypt is leading Group A, followed by Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau. Both Sierra Leone and Ethiopia have managed to secure one point each. Regrettably, Djibouti hasn’t yet earned any points after losing their first two games.

Sierra Leone World Cup Match Day Three Opponent

Group A – Djibouti is ranked 192, 66 places below the Leone Stars. After losing their first two Group A matches, Djibouti is currently at the bottom of the standings.

They suffered a 6-1 defeat to Egypt and a 1-0 home loss to Guinea-Bissau in November 2023.

In their preliminary AFCON qualifier against Liberia in March, Lone Star captain Murphy Dorley scored one of two first-half goals as the Lone Stars defeated hosts Djibouti 2-0 in the opening leg in Marrakech.

Mohammed Sangare opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute, followed by Dorley calmly converting Sebastian Teclar’s cross 12 minutes later. The match ended in a goalless draw in Liberia, leading to their elimination.

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 during their third training session in Morocco ahead of taking on Djibouti's Shoremen of the Red Sea clash.
Sierra Leone during their third training session in Morocco ahead of taking on Djibouti's Shoremen of the Red Sea clash.
In the current standings, Egypt leads Group A, followed by Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau. Sierra Leone and Ethiopia are tied with one point each, while Djibouti has no points after losing their first two games.
In the current standings, Egypt leads Group A, followed by Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau. Sierra Leone and Ethiopia are tied with one point each, while Djibouti has no points after losing their first two games.
SLFA and CAF come together to Empower Women in Football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

SLFA and CAF come together to Empower Women in Football

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), with support from CAF, is organizing a week-long training program for female football administrators and coaches at the Police Hall in Kingston.

This ground-breaking initiative encompasses an administrative training course and a License D Coaching course designed to empower women in football.

The event’s opening was graced by distinguished personalities including Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh, CAF Female Coaching Instructor Mrs. Majidah Nantanda from Uganda, Female Administrative Instructor Thubaelihle Bridgette Sibanda from Zimbabwe, SLFA Technical Director Ibrahim Bah, and other esteemed individuals.

This program marks a significant milestone for CAF in Sierra Leone, achieved through the dedicated efforts of SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima and his Executive Committee. It represents a pivotal moment for women involved in football administration and coaching.

The enthusiasm demonstrated by both CAF experts and SLFA leaders underscores the importance of this initiative in enhancing the confidence and skills of women in football.

Collectively, there is a steadfast commitment to ensuring that women have a prominent role in the development of football in Sierra Leone.

This groundbreaking initiative encompasses an administrative training course and a License D Coaching course designed to empower women in football.
This groundbreaking initiative encompasses an administrative training course and a License D Coaching course designed to empower women in football.
AFCON top scorer Emilio Nsue was Ineligible for Equatorial Guinea
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

AFCON top scorer Emilio Nsue was Ineligible for Equatorial Guinea

FIFA has determined that Equatorial Guinea captain Emilio Nsue was never eligible to represent the African nation during his 11-year international career.

Nsue won the Golden Boot as the top goalscorer at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year, scoring five goals in four appearances, but has been banned by FIFA for six months from national team games.

In December 2013, FIFA ruled that Nsue was not eligible to play for Equatorial Guinea after he had made several appearances for Spain’s youth teams. Despite this ruling, he continued to represent Equatorial Guinea.

FIFA has published a detailed verdict explaining its decision to strip two wins from Equatorial Guinea in the 2026 World Cup qualifying games played in November.

In March, FIFA opened a new investigation into Nsue’s eligibility. Despite being given a six-day deadline to respond, no response from Nsue arrived.

A 15-page FIFA document from May 10, 2024, detailed the difficulties faced by the Equatoguinean federation in attempting to get Nsue approved a decade earlier.

As a result of his ineligibility, Emilio Nsue will not be able to retain the 2023 AFCON Golden Boot. Additionally, Equatorial Guinea was ineligible to participate in the last AFCON, and therefore, they are no longer entitled to maintain their appearance fee.

The versatile forward holds the record for most international goals for Equatorial Guinea, with 22 goals in 43 appearances. FIFA has acknowledged this feat as a significant achievement.

Otto Addo’s face the Eagles of Mali test in Group I
by FSL News

Otto Addo’s Ghana face tricky Eagles of Mali test

In November 2023, Ghana Black Stars kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Madagascar. However, their unexpected loss to Comoros has increased the pressure on them as they prepare to face Mali in Bamako.

The Black Stars currently hold the fourth spot in World Cup 2026 qualifying Group I, which includes Mali, Chad, and the Central African Republic.

On Thursday, Otto Addo’s team will face Mali in what is expected to be a challenging match. Four days later – they’ll host the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Key players to watch include Tariq Lamptey in defence, Mohammed Kudus and Thomas Partey in midfield and Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in the attack.

Kudus is expected to play a crucial role. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has provided six assists and scored eight goals for West Ham in the league this season.

The team will introduce two new players: Thomas-Asante from West Brom and Sulemana from Cagliari. Both players have yet to make an appearance for the national team.

Comoros led Group I with six points, followed by Mali with four, Madagascar and Ghana with three each, and Central African Republic and Chad at the bottom with two points after playing two matches.

Ghana’s Black Stars Scheduled matches

  • Mali v Ghana (Group I) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali
  • Ghana  v Central African Republic  (Group I) | 1900 | Kumasi, Ghana