Category: Sport News

Semifinal defeat for Daroma's Tacoma Defiance
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Semi-final defeat for Daroma’s Tacoma Defiance

Frank Daroma’s Tacoma Defiance suffered Western Conference semifinal 1-0 defeat to Austin FC II on Sunday night at Starfire Stadium.

The Sierra Leone-born, who has been a pivotal player for Tacoma Defiance, played the full throttle of the match.

Valentin Noël’s game-winning goal was the decider in an intense affair at Starfire Stadium. Austin FC II advanced to meet Rapids 2 in the Western Conference Final.

Noël found the end of a David Rodriguez cross in the 82nd minute, directing his shot powerfully into the back of the net. Austin FC II took control after a Defiance red card in the 69th minute. Austin FC II goalkeeper Damian Las made three saves to preserve a clean sheet.

The result concludes the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro campaign for Defiance, who won the Pacific Division and finished second in the Western Conference during the regular season.

Signed on January 27, 2023, Daroma, 22, started 57 of 64 appearances for Las Vegas Lights FC over the 2021-2022 USL Championship campaigns before joining Tacoma Defiance.

“It’s been quite a journey,” said Defiance Assistant Coach Michael Morris In a pre-match interview. 

“We haven’t been beaten in the last seven games,” said Morris. “We’ve been really consistent with the chances we’re trying to create and finishing in those specific moments.”

Last season, they were beaten in the same stage of the MLS NEXTPro conference semifinals of launched. The team closed out last season in a 2-1 Western Conference Final loss against St. Louis CITY 2, preventing them from advancing to the Final.

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Augustine Williams name Man of the Match after defeat to Miami
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustine Williams named MOTM in defeat to Miami

A goal and Heineken Man of the Match honours for Sierra Leone striker Augustine Williams in their 2-1 defeat to Miami on Saturday.

The goal was Williams’ 14th of the year across all competitions as Charleston Battery were defeated in front of a sold-out crowd at Patriots Point. 

Augi Williams recorded the opener in the 7th minute, but a pair of goals in the second half for Miami proved to be the difference. 

The Battery get off to a flying start to the night to get the packed house on their feet. Augi Williams scored the opening tally in the 7th minute to put the Battery ahead 1-0. 

Tristan Trager forced the issue by driving down the left flank with a cross to Williams. Goalkeeper Jake McGuire saved Williams’ first effort, but the save went back to the striker, who sent it to the back of the net in his second attempt. 

Charleston will not turn focus to the regular season finale next Saturday against Birmingham Legion FC before kicking off their playoff run. 

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A goal and Heineken Man of the Match honors for Augi Williams
A goal and Heineken Man of the Match honors for Augi Williams
Sierra Leone to start World Cup prep with Niger, Benin friendlies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Benin confirm World Cup qualifying prep Sierra Leone friendly

Beninese Football Association (BFA) have confirmed a friendly with Sierra Leone in Casablanca as part of their World Cup preparation this month.

Provisional boss Amidu Karim to start his groundwork against Benin in Casablanca, Morocco.

A second friendly is expected to be announced by the Sierra Leone Football Association. Niger was supposed to face Leone Stars, but they have rescheduled to play Somalia and Libya instead.

The Leone Stars defeated Benin 1-0 in their last meeting through a Kei Kamara spot kick during the AFCON race to Cameroon in Guinea in June 2021 as Sierra Leone secured a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1996.

Ranked 124 in the global standings, Leone Stars’ journey to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023. 

Coach Karim and the technical team will use these friendlies in the North African region to assess his squad ahead of his first major task against Ethiopia and powerhouse Egypt in November.

The others in Group A are Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau and Djibouti in the race to the 2026 World Cup.

Benin is in Group C against Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho in the race to the 2026 World Cup. 

Leone Stars last outing in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying, Group Stage A final match ended in 2-1 defeat to Guinea-Bissua at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in September.

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Striker Daniel Kanu makes Southern United debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Daniel Kanu makes Southern United debut   

Charlton Athletic on loan striker Daniel Kanu made his Vanarama National League SOUTHEND United debut in their 2-0 win over Woking on Saturday.

Southend eased themselves up the National League table with a 2-0 win at Woking as Kanu substituted in the 57-minute for Jack Wood. As a result, they registered back-to-back wins in the process.

The prolific striker enjoyed a hugely successful 2021/22 season as a first-year scholar, scoring 31 goals before the end of January in all competitions for the U17s, U18s and U23s.

Kanu, 18, scored three goals for the Addicks this campaign. And he is excited to be teaming up with the Shrimpers.

Upon signing, he said: “I’m excited to join such a massive club with massive history.

“I was here on Tuesday night to watch the 2-0 win against Oxford City, and it was so good to see the atmosphere that the fans created and how well the team played.

“When I saw how hard the lads were working, it pulled me in. I had a couple of conversations with some coaches beforehand, and they told me Southend was the place to come to.

“I think I’ve made the right decision and I’m really excited to join a good project here.”

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East End Lions appoint Charlie Wright as head coach
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

East End Lions appoint Charlie Wright as head coach

One of Sierra Leone’s most decorated clubs, East End Lions, has appointed the former FC Kallon coach as their new head coach ahead of the new premier league campign.

The former national U20, U23 and homebased coach comes with a lot of Sierra Leone Premier League experience following his twelve-year spell with FC Kallon in the country’s highest tier of club football.

East End Lions finished last top-tier campaign third, but they’ll be looking to better that this campaign. The Sierra Leone Premier is set to kick off on the 3rd of November, the League Board have confirmed.

PLB say the winner of this year’s league will receive 500 million old leones and runners-up 250 million old leones 

“We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Class A Coach Charlie Wright as our new Head Coach. Coach Wright is set to lead our charge & develop the youth team. He will work with Coach Raymond Hunter and other coaches. Welcome, Coach Wright!,” The Eastern Giant Club confirmed this on Twitter.

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