Category: Sport News

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

EE Lions, Bhantal to kick start Leone Rock League second phase

On Friday, the Killers will start their hunt for the title against newly promoted and in-form Bhantal FC in the second-round Premier League run at the SLFA Secretariat renovated playing ground at Kingtom, Freetown.

Both teams drew 1-1 at the Parade Field in Freetown, in March. A win for the Killers means they will close the gap on their match-day rival to one point, while Bhantal will move up to second place, at least for a day, with maximum points.

Under the supervision of Head Coach Isaac Kofi Sarfo Castro, East End Lions have turned their season around, winning their last two matches and being unbeaten in their last six games.

In their last matches, they defeated league leaders Bo Rangers, Diamond Stars, and Luawa FC, which was part of their impressive run.

However, Bhantal, with their impressive stats, will be a tough side to defeat.

Bhantal had an impressive first half of the season, achieving eight wins, seven draws, and two defeats in seven games.

Throughout the entire phase, they only conceded six goals, which speaks volumes about the meticulous planning and training of the coaching staff.

Assistant Coaches Musa Jalloh and Ibrahim Sorkey Kamara have worked diligently with Head Coach Abdulai Kaloga Bah, ensuring the team remains competitive in every match.

Ports Authority set for FC Kallon cracker as improved Luawa hosts Real Republicans and Kholifa Stars takes on Bai Bureh Warriors in Saturday’s fixtures.

The Bhantal team that suffered an away defeat to Bo Rangers to conclude the first round.
The Bhantal team that suffered an away defeat to Bo Rangers to conclude the first round.
Amara Nallo named to Liverpool first team squad in City draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amara Nallo named to Liverpool’s first-team squad in the City draw

On Sunday, Liverpool’s young centre-back Amara Nallo was named to the Premier League squad by Jurgen Klopp in their 1-1 draw against City at Anfield.

Liverpool and Manchester City played to a thrilling draw at Anfield, leaving Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

This was Nallo’s second appearance for Liverpool’s first team, having been named to the bench in the FA Cup tie against Southampton. 

Klopp selected several academy players, including Lewis Koumas, James McConnell, Bobby Clark and Amara Nallo. 

The 17-year-old joined Liverpool’s Under-18s team under Marc Bridge-Wilkinson this season and has played five games, including three in the FA Youth Cup.

That number would have been higher, had it not been for the teenager impressing so much that he has been called up to the club’s Under-21 squad.

Liverpool signed Nallo from West Ham in September last year when he was 16 years old.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – Players Abroad News.

Augustine Williams & Buya Turay make official Indy & Legion debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustine Williams & Buya Turay make official Indy & Legion debut

On Saturday, two Sierra Leonean strikers, Augustine Williams and Buya Turay, started for their respective clubs in the USL Championship.

Williams’s Indy Eleven suffered an opening defeat in the USL Championship on Saturday despite the inclusion of Augustine Williams in the starting eleven.

They lost 2-1 to Oakland Roots SC, their Western Conference opponent, in their only matchup for the 2024 season.

Indy continues its road swing next Saturday at Memphis 901 FC at 4 p.m. ET before returning home on March 23 for their home opener against Sacramento Republic FC.

In the meantime, Mohamed Buya Turay started for his new side, Birmingham Legion FC, who won 1-0 against Phoenix Rising at Rising Park, marking the start of the new USL Championship season.

Legion took the lead thanks to Diba Nwegbo’s strike, which deflected off an opponent before finding its way into the back of the net.

Striker Turay was substituted in the 62nd minute of the game due to an injury. Their next away game is scheduled on March 23 against Hartford Athletic.

Emmanuel Samadia was present as an unused substitute for Hartford Athletic in their recent game against El Paso Locomotive, which they won 1-0.

El Paso Locomotive FC had a disappointing start to their 2024 season as they lost 1-0 to Samadia’s Hartford Athletic on Saturday night at Southwest University Park.

Striker Daniel Kanu nets in Charlton win over Carlisle
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Daniel Kanu nets in Charlton’s win over Carlisle

Sierra Leone’s Daniel Kanu scored yet again, while Alfie May scored twice to ensure Charlton’s victory.

Charlton secured their second consecutive League One victory this season with a 3-2 win over Carlisle United. 

Despite an unexpected lead from Luke Armstrong’s 20th-minute volley, Charlton managed to turn the game around with goals on either side of half-time. May scored the first, following up a deflected shot from Kanu in the 37th minute, and Kanu himself scored the second, crashing home from close range in the 54th minute.

Carlisle’s manager, Paul Simpson, had urged his players to show pride, and they did so by equalising from the penalty spot through Taylor Charters after Macaulay Gillesphey fouled Armstrong.

However, Charlton’s superior quality eventually showed, and May scored the decisive third goal. He latched onto a loose back-pass from former Addick Sam Lavelle and rounded the keeper to claim his fourth goal in four games, after only scoring one goal in the previous 13 games.

Charlton’s first home victory since November has now placed them comfortably in mid-table, with a 10-point lead over 21st-placed Cheltenham, and has quickly eliminated any relegation concerns. 

Unfortunately, Carlisle’s 10th loss in 11 games means they will almost certainly be relegated.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – Players Abroad News.

Al Ahly beat rivals Zamalek to lift Egyptian Cup in Riyadh
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly beat rivals Zamalek to lift Egyptian Cup in Riyadh

In the Egyptian Cup final held in Riyadh, Al Ahly beat Zamalek 2-0 to win the cup for a record 39th time.

The match was tightly contested, with no goals scored until the 84th minute when Imam Ashour scored for Al Ahly. Mohamed Afsha sealed the victory for Al Ahly in stoppage time.

The match was played in front of a capacity crowd at Al Waleed Park Stadium, which highlights African football’s popularity beyond the continent.

Al Ahly’s win continues their period of success, having won 11 of the last 13 domestic cup competitions.

Zamalek has suffered yet another disappointment in their ongoing effort to end Al Ahly’s dominance in football.

They have not won the cup since 2019, and this latest setback is particularly significant because they lost the Egyptian Premier League title to Ahly last season.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African Football News.