Category: Sport News

Sierra Leone U20 beat Mauritania in the WAFU opener
by FSL News

Sierra Leone U20 beat Mauritania in WAFU women’s opener 

In Group B, the Sierra Leone national U20 women’s team secured a 2-0 win over Mauritania on Tuesday in the WAFU Women’s Tournament in Senegal.

Sierra Leone dominated the game at the Stade Lat Dior, with goals from Kadiatu M Kamara and Juliet Brima in the 41st and 43rd minutes, respectively. 

Mauritania held on until the 41st minute when Sierra Leone won a corner kick. Fatmata Turay took a short kick to skipper Kamara, whose volley ended at the back of the net.  

Sierra Leone continued to dominate and scored their second goal through Juliet Brima’s header, securing their win.

In another match, Liberia recorded an opening 2-0 win over Guinea at the same venue.

In Group A, Mali drew with Guinea Bissau, while host Senegal defeated Gambia 2-0 in their opening matches.

The competition continues today, with Mali taking on Gambia and Guinea Bissau playing against Senegal at 4 pm and 7 pm, respectively.

Sierra Leone dominated the game at the Stade Lat Dior, with goals from Kadiatu M Kamara and Juliet Brima in the 41st and 43rd minutes, respectively. 
Sierra Leone dominated the game at the Stade Lat Dior, with goals from Kadiatu M Kamara and Juliet Brima in the 41st and 43rd minutes, respectively. 
Ex-Sierra Leone coach Jonathan McKinstry appointed as new Gambia boss
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Jonathan McKinstry appointed as new Gambia boss

The Gambia Football Federation has confirmed the appointment of Jonathan McKinstry as their new head coach of the national team. 

The UEFA PRO License holder, who has previously led Gor Mahia to clinch the Kenyan Premier League title, is set to take over from Tom Saintfiet after Gambia’s exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. 

Jonathan, aged 38, has previously coached Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Rwanda. He is currently the manager of Gor Mahia FC in Kenya and will assume the role with the Scorpions from June 1, 2024.

In the August 2014 FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, the Leone Stars ranked 50th in the world and also broken into the top 10 teams on the continent. They were in seventh place under the management of the Irish coach.

The Northern Irish coach has signed a two-year contract and has been tasked with qualifying The Gambia for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Jonathan previously coached the Uganda national team, Saif SC in Bangladesh, and the Lithuanian club Kauno Zalgiris, with early career roles in youth development at Newcastle United, New York Red Bulls, the Right to Dream Academy, and the Craig Bellamy Foundation.

Augustus Kargbo happy to help Cesena lift the Super Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo happy to help Cesena win the Super Cup 

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo expressed his delight at helping Cesena win the Italian Serie C Super Cup on Sunday.

Kargbo, 24, scored for Cesena in the 61st minute to reduce the deficit after Juve Stabia went ahead through Nicola Mosti and A. Adorante in the 20th and 27th minutes, respectively.

“It was a tough match – we knew it would be. They are an aggressive team that tries to disrupt our game. We were prepared for this. We kept pushing regardless of the result,” Kargbo stated on the club’s website.

“We finally won. I’m happy to have helped the team. It doesn’t matter whether I score or provide an assist – what’s important is contributing to the team. On that occasion, assisting Robi was more important than trying to score alone.

After Ramadan, I experienced a decline, which may happen, but it’s unnecessary. The most important thing was having confidence in myself because the support of my teammates and the club has always been there. This enabled me to work hard and strive for improvement to help the team in the best possible way.”

The attacker will join the Sierra Leone National team for the third and fourth matchdays of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.  The Leone Stars will play on 5 June against Djibouti at the Stade El Abdi in El Jadida (Morocco), while on the 10th, they take on Burkina Faso at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako (Mali).

Zamalek upset Berkane to capture the CAF Confederation Cup crown
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zamalek upset Berkane to capture the CAF Confederation Cup

Zamalek clinched the African club football’s secondary competition with a thrilling 1-0 victory over RS Berkane in the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final, securing the trophy on aggregate on Sunday.

The Egyptian giants entered the second leg at the Cairo International Stadium behind 2-1 from the first leg in Morocco a week ago.

The Zamalek team, backed by their passionate home crowd, made a remarkable comeback to win the continent’s title for the second time. Striker Ahmed Hamdi scored the winning goal in the 23rd minute, levelling the aggregate score. 

However, Hamdi had to leave the game due to an injury just before halftime. The second half saw Zamalek defending fiercely against Berkane’s attacks. 

Senegalese midfielder Ibrahima Ndiaye played a crucial role in Zamalek’s strong defence. Berkane’s frustration resulted in a red card for one of their players, leaving them with 10 men. Despite the pressure, Zamalek’s defence remained solid, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory.

This win represents a remarkable comeback for the Cairo-based club, which previously claimed the title in the 2018/19 season. On the other hand, Berkane came very close to winning the CAF Confederation Cup for the third time in four years but fell short in the end.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1792484721861005680

Striker Augustine Williams is thrilled with Indy Eleven's current form
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Augustine Williams is thrilled with Indy Eleven’s current form

Indy Eleven secured an impressive 4-1 victory over Hartford Athletic at Carroll Stadium. Sierra Leone International Augustine Williams was happy with his performance and the team’s spirit.

Augi Williams scored his sixth goal of the season, Indy’s final goal, with an assist from Younes Boudadi, placing him at the top of the team’s scoring alongside Blake.

The first goal was scored in the third minute by Jack Blake from a penalty kick, giving him a team-leading five goals this season. Benjamin Ofeimu doubled the lead with the match-winning goal, scoring off one of Indy’s season-high 12 corners.

The team has scored 12 first-half goals this season, the second-highest total in the league. Aedan Stanley assisted Douglas Martinez for an insurance goal in the 54th minute.

Hartford managed to score in the 80th minute with a goal from Michael Ngalina.

“It has been a great season so far. We started a little bit slow, but as time went on, the team was able to find chemistry and started to click,” Williams told Football Sierra Leone.

“It’s been a good journey for me with the team – I have been able to put myself in a great spot to be able to get the chance to score. It’s one game at a time, but I am pleased with everything so far.”

On meeting his national teammate Emmanuel Samadia, who was introduced in the 46th minute for Hartford:

“It was great to meet Samadia, my teammate from the national team. But for now, I will stay focused and determined, and I hope we can continue on this path because there’s no better feeling than winning.”

Indy Eleven is on a seven-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, including a five-game unbeaten streak in the USL Championship. 

The team has scored in 11 straight USL matches, totalling 21 goals. They will host Detroit City FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday at 7 pm.