Category: Sport News

New Bournemouth deal for Ghana's Antoine Semenyo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

New Bournemouth deal for Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo

Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo has signed a new five-year contract with AFC Bournemouth until summer 2029. The 24-year-old defender had an excellent season at the Vitality Stadium.

Semenyo joined Cherries from Bristol City for around £ 9 million in January 2023. CEO Neill Blake said, “It’s clear to see Antoine’s growth since joining 18 months ago.

He’s made great progress and had a fantastic first full season with us. Signing a long-term contract was important for us to recognize his role on our team, and we look forward to more success in the years to come.”

Semenyo had a terrific season, helping the club achieve their record-breaking Premier League points total of 48.

He played 33 matches last season, scoring eight goals and providing two assists. His standout performance led to AFC Bournemouth winning the Premier League’s Most Improbable Comeback award for 2023/24.

He also earned the club’s Player of the Month award for November. Since joining in January 2023, he has played 47 times for the Cherries in all competitions.

He made his International debut for the Ghana national team during a 3-0 victory in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Madagascar on June 1, 2022. On November 14, 2022, Semenyo was selected for Ghana’s 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

 Togolese descent Lilian Brassier joins Marseille
by FSL News

 Togolese descent Lilian Brassier joins Marseille

Togolese descent Lilian Brassier has joined Olympique de Marseille on loan from Stade Brestois. The 24-year-old defender has signed with an option to buy after passing a medical examination.

 The centre-back began his professional career at Stade Rennais and made his debut in Ligue 2 in the 2019-2020 season. He was then loaned to Valenciennes FC, where he played 27 matches.

He was spotted by Stade Brestois 29 and joined them in the following season in Finistère. His skills in duels and heading were noticeable from the start in Ligue 1.

Lilian Brassier is a versatile and adaptable defender known for his quality recovery with his left foot. He played 30 matches, scored 3 goals, and helped Stade Brestois 29 finish on the podium and secure a place in the Champions League during the 2023-24 season.

With over 100 matches and 5 goals in Ligue 1, he has become a reliable central defender at the age of 24.

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma extends Al Shahaniya's deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma extends Al Shahaniya’s deal

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma has signed a contract extension with Qatari Super League sports club Al Shahaniya until 2026.

The 24-year-old Sierra Leone international had initially signed a two-year deal last summer but has now agreed to a one-year extension after helping the club secure promotion.

Koroma was pivotal in Al Shahaniya’s promotion to the Qatar Super League for the upcoming season. In his first season at the club, Koroma made significant contributions, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in the league campaign.

The team secured a 3-1 victory over Al Markhiya at the Al Thumama Stadium in May, confirming their promotion to the Qatar top-tier league.

This victory secured their place in the 2024-2025 season’s First Division after a Play-Off match that pitted the 11th-placed team (Al Markhiya) in the final standings of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League against the second-placed team (Al Shahaniya) in the Second Division championship.

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma has signed a contract extension with Qatari Super League sports club Al Shahaniya until 2026.
Midfielder Alhassan Koroma has signed a contract extension with Qatari Super League sports club Al Shahaniya until 2026.
Tyrese Fornah joins Derby's pre-season ahead of Real Valladolid friendly
by FSL News

Tyrese Fornah joins Derby’s pre-season ahead of Real Valladolid friendly

Sierra Leone International Tyrese Fornah has joined Championship team Derby County for pre-season training in preparation for their friendly match against Real Valladolid.

Tyrese Fornah, 24, is looking to make a good impression on his new boss before the upcoming Championship campaign.

Derby County is set to host Real Valladolid in their final pre-season friendly before the 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship campaign next month.

The match will take place at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, with a kick-off time of 3 pm.

Real Valladolid, who is 82% owned by former Brazil international striker Ronaldo, will be competing in La Liga for the 2024/25 season after finishing second in the Segunda Division last season.

They secured automatic promotion by winning 21 of their 42 league matches and finished just two points behind champions Leganes.

In November 2023, Fornah made his international debut for Sierra Leone in the World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and then went on to start in a 2-0 defeat to Egypt.

Sierra Leone to open AFCON 2025 campaign against Chad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone to open AFCON 2025 campaign against Chad

Sierra Leone will begin their 2025 Afcon qualifying campaign by playing their first match against Chad at home, followed by a match against Zambia’s Chipolopolo in September for match-day two.

The Leone Stars will compete against Chad and Zambia in the first week of September, between the 2nd and the 10th. They are aiming to qualify for the continental tournament in Morocco next year, which would be their fourth time participating in the tournament.

In 2015, Sierra Leone and Chad played two matches, with Chad winning 1-0 at the Idriss Mahamat Ouya Omnisports Stadium during the FIFA World Cup Africa 1st round 1st Leg and Sierra Leone winning the second leg 2-1 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta in Port Harcourt the same year.

These matches were for the first round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Preliminary. 2–2 on aggregate. Chad won on the away goals rule and advanced to the second round against Egypt.

In each group of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, only the top two teams will qualify for the final tournament. However, in Group B, which includes hosts Morocco, only one other team will be eligible.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.