Category: Sports

SLFA Launches Global Search for Leone Stars Coach Amid Kallon Fallout
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone targets a fourth AFCON appearance as 2027 dates confirmed

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has set June 19 to July 17, 2027, for the next Africa Cup of Nations, launching a qualification race that could see Sierra Leone secure a historic fourth appearance at the continental showpiece.

The tournament, branded as “PAMOJA 2027” which means “together”, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the first time AFCON will be staged across three nations. The dates recently announced by the tournament organisers were approved by the FIFA Council, with venues for the opening match and final yet to be announced by CAF.

However, the focus now shifts to qualification, which will feature 48 teams, including Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars, who will compete for 24 places across 12 groups of four, with only the top two totalling 24 nations to advance in what is tipped to be a tightly contested campaign running from September 2026 to March 2027.

For Sierra Leone, the stakes are high, but a successful campaign would mark the country’s fourth AFCON qualification and reinforce its re-emergence in African football following its return to the tournament in 2021 after a long absence.

The 2027 edition will also mark AFCON’s return to East Africa for the first time since the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations, as CAF seeks to expand the competition’s global reach and growing audience.

With the draw set for May 19, 2026, Sierra Leone faces a defining path, one which many sports enthusiasts and supporters of the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone believe could cement the West African football-loving nation’s slot among the continent’s rising football nations.

Ibrahim Fullah is over the moon to receive young Player of the Year award
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ibrahim Fullah is over the moon to receive young Player of the Year award

Ibrahim Fullah has expressed his delight after he received the Charlton Athletic’s Valley Gold Young Player of the Year award following the Addicks’ 2-1 victory over Hull City at The Valley on Saturday.

After accepting the honour, the 19-year-old academy graduate expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s definitely unexpected, but I’m really thankful for this award! So many incredible names have won it before me, and just being listed among them is amazing. I’ve grown up with Tyreece Campbell, who is also on that list, so it feels special to be recognised like this,” he told his club website.

The 2025/26 season marks a pivotal year for Fullah as he makes his mark as a player for Charlton. He has already made 13 appearances in all competitions, finding the back of the net twice during the Carabao Cup.

“There have been plenty of ups and downs; it’s part of football. You can only control what you can control, and that’s what I focused on until my chance came. When it did, I knew I had to make the most of it,” he noted.

“I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to be a first-team footballer. It has required a great deal of hard work and sacrifice, but I’ve also grown a lot along the way.

Having confidence, patience, and a solid support network from coaches, staff, and teammates has been crucial.

This whole group is fantastic, and my family has played a big role in my journey as well. I’m truly grateful for all of it. As a team, we know what we’re capable of achieving together. Capable of, and we can achieve it. It’s been a really good season.”

Upsets, Big Wins in Sierra Leone FA Cup Last-16 as Quarter-Final Race Intensifies
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Upsets, Big Wins in Sierra Leone FA Cup Round of 16 as Quarterfinal Race Intensifies

The 2026 Orange Sierra Leone FA Cup moved into a decisive stage on Saturday, delivering a mix of commanding victories and dramatic upsets as the Round of 16 fixtures began to shape the quarter-final lineup.

Freetown-based outfit FC Kallon produced the most dominant display of the day, thrashing Ram Kamara FC of Bo 4–0 to secure a convincing passage into the last eight. In one of the competition’s biggest moments, Bo Rangers FC held their nerve to defeat Bhantal FC 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in regulation time, a result that stunned many followers of the tournament.

Elsewhere, Star Sport Academy edged Bai Bureh Warriors 1–0, while Old Edwardians FC also progressed with a narrow 1–0 victory over Bullom Stars, as all four sides booked places in the quarter-finals.

The nationwide Round of 16 fixtures have drawn heightened attention, pitting established clubs against emerging challengers in a competition renowned for its unpredictability.

Attention now turns to the remaining ties, with East End Lions set to face Diamond Stars FC, while Mighty Blackpool and Kabala City take on Marampa Stars and Abacha City FC, respectively, on Sunday, April 19. Meanwhile, this year’s Orange Sierra Leone FA Cup final round of 16 fixture will see Ports Authority FC meet Freetown City FC on Monday, April 20.

The tournament, organised by the Sierra Leone Football Association and sponsored by leading telecommunications company, Orange Sierra Leone, remains vital to clubs as they hunt for domestic glory and continental qualification, while continuing to offer smaller clubs a platform to challenge elite opposition.

With quarter-final places nearly decided, the competition is gathering momentum, promising more drama and defining moments on the road to the final.

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson

FC Kallon scored four as they thrashed Ram Kamara FC in their Orange FA Cup round of 16
FC Kallon scored four as they thrashed Ram Kamara FC in their Orange FA Cup round of 16
South Sudan ease past Djibouti in AFCON preliminary first leg
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Sudan ease past Djibouti in AFCON preliminary first leg

South Sudan delivered an impressive performance, securing a dominant 4-0 victory over Djibouti in the first leg of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 Preliminary Round in Juba on Thursday.

Keer Majak shone brightly, contributing a goal and two assists, as South Sudan firmly took control of the tie ahead of the return leg, which will also take place in the same venue.

This result provides South Sudan with a substantial edge in its quest to advance to the group stage of the qualifiers, leaving Djibouti with a significant challenge ahead in the second leg.

Right from the start, South Sudan made their intentions clear and found the back of the net in the 31st minute. Justin Bangasi laid off a perfect pass for Teng Kuol, who opened the scoring.

This goal boosted the hosts’ confidence, prompting them to maintain relentless pressure, while Djibouti struggled to keep up with South Sudan’s speed and attacking flair. Despite this initial onslaught, Djibouti managed to hold on until halftime, maintaining a glimmer of hope at 1-0 going into the break.

However, any hopes Djibouti had of mounting a comeback were swiftly dashed after the halftime break, as South Sudan kicked their intensity up a notch. Just four minutes into the second half, in the 49th minute, Bangasi struck again, finishing off a well-crafted move with Majak playing a key role throughout the match.

Majak continued to make his mark, turning provider once more in the 66th minute, setting up Peter Manyang to extend the lead to 3-0, effectively sealing the outcome. To cap off an outstanding individual performance, Majak scored South Sudan’s fourth goal in the 81st minute, confirming a comprehensive win.

This defeat leaves Djibouti facing an uphill battle in the return leg, where they will need a stellar performance to overcome the deficit. With both legs being hosted in Juba, they will look to leverage their familiarity with the conditions to turn things around in the second encounter.

Seychelles and Lesotho Play to a Standstill in Bloemfontein

In a separate match on Thursday in Bloemfontein, Seychelles and Lesotho finished goalless at the Free State Stadium. The two teams will meet again for the return leg at the same neutral venue in the South African city on Sunday.

These matches are part of the opening round of qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027, featuring the lowest-ranked teams vying for six spots in the next stage.

Augustus Kargbo features for Blackburn Rovers U21 side as part of recovery process
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo features for Rovers U21 side as part of recovery process

Sierra Leonean international Augustus Kargbo featured in Blackburn Rovers U21's recent match as they suffered a 3-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion at Damson Park.

Kargbo, age 26, last appeared for the first team in October of the previous year, during which he was substituted.

In a positive development, Kargbo started and played for 45 minutes, marking his return following a hamstring injury. Additionally, Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews also returned to action during the first half.

West Brom took the lead early in the match, with captain Muhamed Diomande scoring a header from an Alfie Maughan corner just 11 minutes in. Blackburn responded quickly, with Joe Boggan equalising through a long-range effort that struck the post before finding the net.

This goal was a result of strong Rovers’ pressure, highlighted by Aodhan Doherty hitting the post and Kargbo narrowly missing moments before the equaliser.

Just after the half-hour mark, Doherty curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box, granting Rovers a halftime lead.

The second half was relatively uneventful until Hindolo Mustapha levelled the score with 17 minutes remaining.

The situation deteriorated for Rovers shortly thereafter, as Harry Whitwell scored from close range, ultimately securing the victory for West Brom and leaving Blackburn Rovers with a disappointing result.