Category: Sport News

Seven foreign-based players arrive for FIFA Series test against Azerbaijan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Seven foreign-based players arrive for FIFA Series test against Azerbaijan

Seven foreign-based players have joined the Leone Stars in Azerbaijan on Monday as they prepare to face host Azerbaijan on March 30 at the Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium.

Sullay Kaikia, Yayah Kallon, Juma Bah, Idris Kanu, Kamil Conteh, Daniel Kanu and Jay Tee Kamara were all spotted on Camera as the delegates arrived safely.

Meanwhile, FIFA has confirmed a format change and timing of the FIFA Series 2026 international tournament to be held in Azerbaijan have been altered following Oman’s national team’s withdrawal.

Because of rising military tensions in the Middle East, Oman won’t travel to Azerbaijan.

According to the new framework negotiated with FIFA, the competition will now be made up of two games instead of its intended schedule.

March 27 marks Azerbaijan’s contest against Saint Lucia; March 30 sees Sierra Leone. With a 7 p.m. local kickoff, both matches will take place at Sumgayit’s Mehdi Huseynzada Stadium.

Defender Alex Bangura returns to Middlesbrough action
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Alex Bangura returns to Middlesbrough action

Sierra Leone defender Alex Bangura, who was forced off early in their 4-0 victory over Southampton in January, has returned to full fitness.

On Saturday, Middlesbrough played to a goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers, and Bangura was subbed on in their remaining nine minutes after full recovery to replace Matt Targett.

The defender has struggled with injuries since joining Boro in September 2023. Hopefully, his latest recovery will see him enjoy a long spell on the pitch.

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg post-match:

“It was a very, very good first half. The first 15 to 20 minutes of the second half felt very good, but then it became open for us, trying to chase the game.

“We wanted it so much that we lost a bit of control and quality in terms of how we played, but it was a good performance in many ways.

“We’re doing our best, we kept a clean sheet away from home, we’re trying to score, we created a lot of opportunities, but it didn’t fall for us.

“Of course, we need to score goals. If we don’t, we won’t win games.”

Jaze Kabia nets a brace as Play-off contenders Grimsby thrash Barrow
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jaze Kabia nets a brace as Play-off contenders Grimsby thrash Barrow

Sierra Leone-native Jaze Jabia recorded his twelfth goal of the season as Grimsby eased past Barrow in their pursuit of promotion at Blundell Park, marking his twelfth goal of the season.

With a commanding 5–0 win at Blundell Park, play-off hopeful Grimsby inflicted more suffering on bottom-side Barrow. After Andy Cook’s opening, Kieran Green and Jaze Kabia each bagged a brace as the Mariners stayed in seventh place on goal difference.

Darragh Burns opened space on the right in the 17th minute to lash in an in-swinging cross onto Cook’s head, who nodded home off the foundation of the post.

Before the break, Grimsby doubled their advantage with a swift counter-attack as Kabia found Green in the middle of the box with a low cross, which the latter first-time finished in the 41st minute.

With Grimsby’s leading scorer Kabia joining in the action, the hosts made it three in the 61st minute by firing in under Wyll Stanway on the left side of the penalty box.

With Reece Staunton’s in-swinging corner in the 87th minute, Green scored his second and his team’s fourth with a fierce header. Still, Kabia had time to get a brace; in the 10th minute of extra time, she tapped Justin Amaluzor’s cross.

Sierra Leone's Daniel Kanu takes tally to 14 goals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Daniel Kanu takes his tally to 14 goals

Sierra Leone Daniel Kanu recorded his fourteenth of the season as Walsall fought back to beat League Two relegation battlers Newport County 2-1 and deepen the fears of the team from south Wales.

Midfielder Harrison Biggins put the Exiles ahead in the opening period, hammering in from close range as Newport took the game to the Saddlers.

Daniel Kanu replied midway through the second half, and Alex Pattison fired home from outside the box in added time to send Newport home with nothing to show for their efforts.

Walsall are 10th in the table, two points off the play-offs, while Newport are a point and one place above the relegation zone.

CR Belouizdad reach CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals
by Football Sierra Leone

CR Belouizdad reach CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals

CR Belouizdad has reached the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup for the first time in 30 years.

They secured their spot after a tense goalless draw against Al-Masry from Egypt in Algiers. The Algerian team advanced with an aggregate score, having drawn 1-1 in the first leg in Egypt.

The match at the Nelson Mandela Stadium marked a historic moment for the club, which last reached this stage in 1996.

Belouizdad started the match strongly, pressing high and quickly creating chances. In the first seven minutes, Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda’s shot lacked power, allowing Al-Masry’s goalkeeper, Essam Tharwat, to make an easy save.

Midway through the first half, defender Hussein Ben Ayada forced Tharwat into a strong save, and Ben Hammouda’s header skimmed just over the crossbar.

As the first half progressed, Al-Masry began creating opportunities, with a long-range shot testing Belouizdad’s goalkeeper Farid Chaal just before half-time. Despite the pressure, both teams went into the break level.

In the second half, both sides struggled to score, with Belouizdad focusing on defence. Al-Masry pushed hard for a goal, especially with forward Daghmoum becoming a threat late in the game. However, Chaal and the defence held firm.

The match ended in a goalless draw, sending Belouizdad to the semi-finals to face the winner between Zamalek and Otoho. For Al-Masry, this result marked the end of their campaign. Belouizdad celebrates a return to the last four of a continental competition after 30 years.