Category: Sport News

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cape Verde’s World Cup pedigree faces Sierra Leone scrutiny

When Star Sport Academy of Sierra Leone takes on RS Berkane this Saturday in the first leg of the African Champions League second round in Monrovia, it will be a matchup filled with familiar faces, yet one side has a lot on the line.

Amidu Karim, the head coach of Star Academy, is set to go head-to-head with a friend, Pedro Leitão Brito—widely known as Bubista—who recently took the reins at Berkane after leading Cape Verde to an impressive World Cup run in the United States earlier this year.

Their paths crossed back in 2024 in Abidjan during a Confederation of African Football (CAF) coaching seminar, where they exchanged insights about coaching national teams in Africa, often discussing the challenges and sacrifices that come with it.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve faced their head coach. We met before at a CAF symposium, and we shared our thoughts on the intricacies of coaching national teams,” Karim reminisces.

Karim, a former striker for Sierra Leone and the ex-head coach of the Sierra Leone national team, who managed the opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, looks forward to squaring off with a friend in the opposing dugout.

“He’s a very experienced coach; we all admire what he accomplished with the Cape Verde national team. However, Saturday will be a different game, as we are fully prepared to take them on.”

During his playing career, Karim was a key part of the Sierra Leone squad in the 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations.

Now, at 56, Bubista has embraced the role of head coach at RS Berkane. He made headlines for leading Cabo Verde to their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2026, guiding the newcomers into the knockout stage without dropping a single group match.

The Moroccans have arrived safely and have already wrapped up their first training session at the SKD as they prepare for Saturday’s match.

by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone U20 Coach Mohamed Lamin Names Squad Ahead of Opener

Sierra Leone’s Head Coach, Mohamed Lamin Kamara, has unveiled a 25-man squad for this year’s WAFU A’ U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in Mali, where his side will begin their Group B campaign against Guinea-Bissau on Friday, October 16.

Coach Kamara’s side gets ready for a demanding group schedule that will see the “Shooting Stars” of Sierra Leone face their other Group B opponents, Mauritania and Senegal, as they pursue progress in the regional competition.

According to the WAFU A’ Zone organising committee, the Shooting Stars will meet Guinea-Bissau at the Mamadou Konate Stadium at 7:00 PM local time on Friday before taking on Mauritania at 4:00 pm on Monday, October, and Senegal on Thursday, October 22, at 4:00 PM local time at the same venue.

Coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara’s 25-man squad features three goalkeepers, namely: Amara Kamara, Steven Nyakeh Momoh and Abubakar Alhaji Kamara, alongside eight defenders, eight midfielders and six forwards.

The squad defenders are: Dauda Kamara, Mohamed Sahid, Abubakarr Nyakeh Massaquoi, Osman Tolo Sesay, Ivan Lawrence Jalloh, Mohamed Kallon, Santigie Abdulai Sesay and Ibrahim Sorie Z.G. Dumbuya, while the midfield group comprises: Alhaji Lerma Jalloh, Sampha Kamara, Mohamed Saidu Bah, Alhaji Abubakarr Jalloh, Mohamed Chernor Jalloh, Ben Benoit Henriette Loua, Nelson Fatorma Mbayo and Malik Ahmed Berray.

Up front, for the Shooting Stars of Sierra Leone, Head coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara has called on Abu Bakarr Sidibay, Randy Mike George, Papay Gumba Mansaray, Alpha Bedor Conteh, Abdulai Bangura and Old Edwardians goal-machine James Jusu Kanja to provide the attacking threat.

The three Group-B matches will test Sierra Leone’s depth, discipline and ability to compete against regional opposition, as the opening encounter with Guinea-Bissau will offer the Shooting Stars their first opportunity to establish momentum, while the subsequent meetings with Mauritania and Senegal could prove decisive in determining their chances of advancing.

Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars head coach Kamara and his players have avowed to translate their over two weeks of training and general preparations for the 2026 WAFU A’ Zone U20 qualifiers into strong performances to keep their ambitions alive in the race for a place at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations for the second consecutive time after their outstanding show in their debut AFCON appearance last year.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bitter-Sweet Moment for Assane Diao in Defeat to Feyenoord

Senegalese attacker Assane Diao had a night of highs and lows in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League 3-2 defeat to Feyenoord.

The Como striker got things rolling by scoring in the 18th minute, marking his first goal in the Champions League with a tidy finish set up by Jacobo Ramón.

However, his celebration was cut short when he was forced to leave the pitch in the 23rd minute due to a left thigh injury, leading to Jesús Rodríguez stepping in as his replacement.

Despite Diao’s early impact, Como ultimately fell short, losing the match 3-2 in the Netherlands.

It was a frustrating evening for the Senegalese international. Still, he can take pride in scoring his first goal in Europe’s elite tournament while waiting to learn more about the seriousness of his injury.

Feyenoord-Como 1907 3-2 | UEFA Champions League | Matchday 2 | 14/10/2026 | De Kuip Stadium

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Nicolas Jackson Delighted with Brace against Fenerbahçe

Nicolas Jackson was all smiles after his impressive brace helped Aston Villa secure a remarkable 6-0 victory against Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League.

The Senegal international scored twice in the first half, leading the Villans to their largest-ever win in European competition.

After the match, Jackson shared his thoughts on the significant three points earned. He remarked, “It’s a fantastic win today. It’s only the second day of the Champions League, and we’re thrilled to have achieved both the win and a clean sheet. I’m just focused on playing, trying to score in every game, and doing my part to help the team.”

He added, “Playing for the manager is crucial as well, and my focus remains on winning matches and performing well on the pitch—that’s what matters most to me. I’m really pleased, but the goal is to win, and hopefully next time I can grab a hat-trick!”

Along with Jackson, Johan Manzambi and Ibrahim Mbaye also made notable contributions to this memorable night in B6. The 25-year-old praised his teammates for their impressive link-up play. On Manzambi, he said, “He’s an outstanding player. I’m really glad we’re on the pitch together. I hope we can score plenty of goals and set each other up for many assists.”

Regarding his international teammate Mbaye, Jackson commented, “He’s another fantastic player. We play together on the national team, so we’ve developed a solid connection and communicate well. He’s progressing nicely, and I hope he gets more opportunities to shine. He’s incredibly fast, just like me, so it’s great to have him in the squad. Here’s to more starts and many goals for him in the future!”

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Momoh Kamara Scores as Elfsborg Thrash Halmstads BK

Sierra Leone international Momoh Kamara was on target as IF Elfsborg secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Halmstads BK in Week 16 of the Swedish Allsvenskan at Borås Arena.

Kamara opened the scoring in the third minute, giving Elfsborg an early advantage and setting the tone for an impressive team performance.

Pascal Gregor’s own goal extended the lead in the 41st minute before Leo Östman’s brace completed the win

The victory highlights Elfsborg’s attacking strength, while Kamara continues to make his mark in Swedish football.

IF Elfsborg – Halmstads BK 4–0 

Starting lineup: Isak Pettersson – Alexander Jensen, Rasmus Wikström (69′), Thomas Isherwood, Niklas Hult (87′) – Julius Magnusson, Julius Beck (77′) – Ari Sigurpálsson (69′), Momoh Kamara, Arber Zeneli (69′) – Leo Östman.

Substitutes: Theo Sander, Sebastian Holmén (69′), Viggo Elfström, Jonathan Esenga (87′), Ossian Nordvall (69′), Simon Olsson (77′), Simon Hedlund (69′), Taylor Silverholt, Dion Krasniqi.