Category: Sport News

by @football_sierra

Egypt’s Omar Marmoush joins Tottenham on a season-long loan

Tottenham has signed Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush on loan until the end of the season, with a commitment to buy him for £60 million next summer.

The 27-year-old Egyptian international will join former City teammate Savio, who moved to Spurs for £75 million. Marmoush said, “Tottenham Hotspur is one of the biggest clubs in England, and the project was very attractive to me.”

He joined City from Eintracht Frankfurt for £59 million in January 2025 and scored 16 goals in 62 games. Last season, he came off the bench in 13 of his 21 league appearances, as Erling Haaland was the preferred striker.

This summer, Spurs have spent over £312 million, also signing Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, and Jan Paul van Hecke. They brought in defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka for free.

De Zerbi praised Marmoush, saying, “He has incredible attacking quality and a desire to improve and win. He can take our attacking play to another level.”

by Alusine Rehme Wilson

SLFA Raises Coaching Bar Amid CAF A-Licence Questions

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has announced a rise in the minimum coaching qualification standards for the 2026/2027 domestic football season, setting tougher requirements for coaches and technical directors across the country’s football pyramid.

Under the new framework announced by the local football federation, Premier League head coaches must hold at least a CAF A, B or C Licence, while their assistants are required to possess a CAF B or C Licence.

On the other hand, top-flight technical directors of male and female football clubs must possess a CAF A Licence or equivalent PRO/A qualification.

However, the requirements are progressively adjusted for Division One, Division Two and the TDS League, with coaches expected to hold relevant CAF or SLFA qualifications.

In addition, TDS coaches must also have FIFA Safeguarding Essentials certification. Although the SLFA says the reforms are aimed at improving technical standards and establishing clearer professional benchmarks for clubs, the announcement of the new coaching policy has raised a key implementation question.

How will Sierra Leone enforce CAF A-Licence requirements at the highest level when the country has gone ages without conducting a CAF A-Licence coaching course?

The gap, some local coaches say, will open a box of struggling to meet the new standards while most clubs face another mounting pressure to comply.

The SLFA has yet to clarify when the next CAF A-Licence course will be conducted in Sierra Leone, prompting calls for the association to provide a clear pathway for local coaches to acquire the qualifications now required.

Ultimately, the success of the new framework will depend not only on enforcement but on whether the SLFA creates realistic opportunities for Sierra Leonean coaches to meet its elevated standards.

Egypt International Emam Ashour extends Al Ahly's contract
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt International Emam Ashour extends Al Ahly’s contract

Al Ahly SC has confirmed that midfielder Emam Ashour has signed a contract extension, keeping him with the team until 2030. This agreement comes after both sides reached a final decision.

In an official statement, Al Ahly announced that Ashour’s new contract adds four more seasons to his time with the club. This means he will stay for two extra seasons beyond his current contract.

The contract extension was finalised during a meeting between Emam Ashour and Essam Serag El-Din, the club’s head of contracts. Essam took care of all the necessary paperwork and financial details, working with Wael Gomaa, the director of football.

The club noted that Ashour expressed his appreciation for the Al Ahly fans in the meeting. He also shared his goal of continuing his career with the team and achieving more success in the coming years.

Ashour has been an important player for Al Ahly since joining, and extending his contract helps keep the team strong.

Race heats up as Caf invites bids for three AFCON finals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ethiopia submits bid to host 2028 Cup of Nations

Ethiopia has officially applied to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) believes this government-backed proposal shows the country’s readiness for Africa’s biggest football event.

Ethiopia has hosted Afcon three times (1962, 1968, and 1976), but its football facilities are less developed than those in other African nations.

Currently, only the Bahir Dar Stadium is approved for use by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). A new stadium in Addis Ababa is set to open soon, but it is uncertain if Ethiopia has enough suitable venues for a 24-team tournament.

Many existing facilities do not meet FIFA or CAF standards. Ethiopia played its home World Cup qualifiers for 2026 at neutral sites in Morocco and Rwanda, although it hosted some matches in Dire Dawa earlier this year.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe mentioned that there are exciting bids for the 2028, 2032, and 2036 Afcons. Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe have submitted a joint bid for the 2028 finals. Reports suggest that Morocco, which will host the 2025 edition, is focusing on co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup instead.

Ethiopia won the Afcon title in 1962 but has qualified only three times since, with their last appearance in 2021. They recently advanced in the qualifiers for next year’s Afcon and will compete in Group J with Senegal, Mozambique, and Sudan.

Some critics question Ethiopia’s readiness to host Afcon. While the Bahir Dar Stadium is approved, the new stadium in Addis Ababa and other facilities need improvements.

Hosting the tournament will require good training spaces, accommodations, urban transport, and security. Although Addis Ababa is relatively safe, parts of Ethiopia face issues with conflict and unrest. Addressing security and infrastructure concerns is vital for a successful bid to host Afcon 2028.

Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba joins Manchester United
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba joins Manchester United

Manchester United has signed Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton for £70 million, paying an initial £65 million with an extra £5 million in add-ons. Brighton included a sell-on clause in the deal.

United strengthened their midfield after signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans this summer. Baleba signed a five-year contract with an option for a sixth year. He expressed his excitement, stating, “It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams.”

Baleba’s move follows United’s 2-0 defeat to Hull City in the Premier League opener. He is currently sidelined with an ankle injury from pre-season training and has made 112 appearances for Brighton, scoring four goals.

In a farewell video, Baleba thanked Brighton fans, saying, “Last season was hard. I will be looking for your result every week for the rest of my life.”

This transfer raises United’s summer spending to £153 million as they prepare for the Champions League. Baleba brings strength and experience to the midfield, addressing the team’s need for more physicality and power. His defensive capabilities and speed could significantly impact the team’s performance this season.