Category: Sport News

Mustapha Bundu suffers a collateral ligament injury
by Football Sierra Leone

Mustapha Bundu suffers a collateral ligament injury

Hannover will end the first half of the German Bundesliga 2 without two key players. Mustapha Bundu has a medial collateral ligament injury from the last match against Preußen Münster.

The 28-year-old left the game in the 72nd minute and missed Saturday’s home match against VfL Bochum and the away game against 1. FC Nürnberg on December 21.

This injury ends his first half of the season early. Husseyn Chakroun will also miss the rest of the year.

The 21-year-old had to leave the field in the 25th minute due to a hamstring injury after a long stride following a challenge.

Head coach Christian Titz commented on the injuries, saying, “That’s a real shame, but that happens in football. We have options in the squad, and we have confidence in our players.”

Despite these challenges, he remains hopeful about future matches, stating, “We’ve built the squad so that the players can respond well to any situation.”

FC Nürnberg part ways with  Crystal Palace youngster Hindolo Mustapha
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

FC Nürnberg part ways with Palace youngster Hindolo Mustapha

FC Nürnberg and Hindolo Mustapha have mutually decided to part ways after just six months, as the club announced this afternoon.

The 19-year-old’s loan spell with the 2. Bundesliga side has been cut short. Unfortunately, Mustapha did not make any professional appearances during his time at Nürnberg and will be returning to Crystal Palace for now.

“Hindolo clearly possesses talent, but things didn’t play out as we had all hoped at 1. FC Nürnberg. It was also important for the player’s future to clear things up early on and reach a solution that suited everyone,” stated sporting director Joti Chatzialexiou.

The Sierra Leone international had previously faced criticism from coach Miroslav Klose back in November, which is believed to have strained their working relationship.

Sierra Leone's Sullay Kaikai helps Cambridge draw with MK Dons
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Sullay Kaikai helps Cambridge draw with MK Dons

Sullay Kaikai returned to haunt his old club, MK Dons, by scoring a brilliant equaliser that helped Cambridge secure a point in a League Two clash.

The hosts took the lead in the 42nd minute thanks to Callum Paterson, but Kaikai struck back midway through the second half, allowing Cambridge to extend their unbeaten league streak to six games.

Cambridge’s Ben Knight was denied by keeper Craig MacGillivray, while Kelland Watts narrowly missed in a chaotic goalmouth scramble.

Just before half-time, the Dons took the lead with Paterson scoring from a pass by Liam Kelly. Cambridge had chances too, including Liam Bennett’s close-range miss.

In the 66th minute, former MK Dons winger Kaikai equalised with a powerful shot from outside the box. In the final moments, Aaron Collins nearly won it for Cambridge but hit the side-netting, resulting in a draw.

The Sierra Leone International joined Cambridge United in League One on a one-year deal on 28 June 2024. On 10 June 2025, the club announced that he had signed a new two-year contract.

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet includes Yves Bissouma in Mali final AFCON squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Tom Saintfiet includes Yves Bissouma in Mali’s final AFCON squad

Bissouma plays for Tottenham Hotspur and has not played this season yet, but Saintfiet values his role in Mali’s midfield ahead of the tournament starting on 21 December.

Mali will begin their Group A campaign on 22 December against Zambia in Casablanca. They will also face the hosts, Morocco, and Comoros, in a very competitive group.

Bissouma’s return is the most significant part of the squad announcement. He last played in August and had ankle surgery after getting injured during a World Cup qualifier.

Even without recent matches, the coach believes Bissouma’s experience and smart play can be important in the midfield, which has a mix of strength and skill.

Saintfiet has assembled a balanced squad for Mali, featuring experienced players alongside promising talent from Europe and Africa. Defensively, Hamari Traoré leads, supported by Sikou Niakaté, Mamadou Fofana, and Woyo Coulibaly, while Djigui Diarra, Ismaël Diawara, and Mamadou Sawassa man the goal.

Mali’s midfield is robust with Amadou Haidara, Aliou Dieng, Lassana Coulibaly, Ibrahima Sissoko, Bissouma, and Mohamed Camara.

In attack, options include Nene Dorgeles, Kamory Doumbia, and Gaoussou Diarra for creativity and speed, while Moussa El Bilal Touré and Lassine Sinayoko are poised to score.

With a strong squad and the return of key players, Mali aims to advance far in the tournament in Morocco.

FULL MALI SQUAD FOR AFCON 2025 

Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Young Africans), Ismaël Diawara (Sirius) and Mamadou Sawassa (Laval)

Defenders: Ousmane Camara (Angers), Woyo Coulibaly (Sassuolo), Amadou Dante (Arouca), Abdoulaye Diaby (Grasshoppers), Fodé Doucouré (Le Havre), Mamadou Fofana (New England Revolution), Nathan Gassama (Baltika), Sikou Niakaté (Sporting Braga) and Hamari Traoré (Paris FC)

Midfielders: Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur), Mohamed Camara (Al Sadd), Lassana Coulibaly (Lecce), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly), Mahamadou Doumbia (Al Ittihad), Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig), Mamadou Sangaré (Racing Lens) and Ibrahima Sissoko (VfL Bochum)

Forwards: Mamadou Camara (Laval), Gaoussou Diakité (Lausanne Sports), Gaoussou Diarra (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Nene Dorgeles (Fenerbahçe), Kamory Doumbia (Stade Brestois), Mamadou Doumbia (Watford), Lassine Sinayoko (Auxerre) and Moussa El Bilal Touré (Beşiktaş)

Senegal named a strong squad for AFCON in Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal named a strong squad for AFCON in Morocco

In a significant move, interim coach Pape Thiaw has announced his 28-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, including the debut call-ups of FC Metz striker Cheick Tidiane Sabaly and US Gorée midfielder Ibrahima Seck.

Also making a return is goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who missed the last gathering due to injury. Additionally, AS Monaco winger Krepin Diatta is back in the fold, marking his first Senegal call-up in 10 months.

El Hadji Malick Diouf, a defender for Hammers, has cut Senegal’s 28-man roster for the upcoming CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

The 20-year-old has made quite an impression since joining West Ham United last summer, recording three assists in 16 appearances. He has already earned 12 caps for his nation and netted his first senior international goal against Kenya during the November international break.

Senegal will play their group matches at Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, starting with a clash against Botswana on Tuesday, December 23, at 3 PM GMT.

Senegal will open Group D against Botswana on the 23rd before facing DR Congo on Saturday, December 27, and they will conclude their group-stage games against Benin on Tuesday, December 30, with a match set for 7 PM GMT.

The tournament is set to kick off on Sunday, December 21, culminating with the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, January 18.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Seny Dieng, Cheikh Lo Ndoye

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhate, Abdou Diallo, Seydou Sano, Ismail Jakobs, Abdoulaye Seck, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Abdou Aziz Ndiaye, Formose Mendy

Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pathe Ciss, Habib Diarra, Pape Matar Sarr, Pape Gueye, Krepin Diatta, Ibrahima Seck

Forwards: Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Boulaye Dia, Nicolas Jackson, Habib Diallo, Cherif Ndiaye, Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly