Category: Sports

Sierra Leone's Hindolo Mustapha pens Wigan Athletic loan deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Hindolo Mustapha pens Wigan Athletic loan deal

Wigan Athletic has signed Sierra Leone international Hindolo Mustapha on loan from Crystal Palace, pending approval from the Premier League, EFL, and FA.

The 20-year-old will join Gary Caldwell’s team for the entire 2026/27 Sky Bet League One season.

Mustapha has been with Palace since age nine, progressing through their Academy and scoring 16 goals with 17 assists in 57 appearances for their U18 and U21 teams.

He was named Palace’s U21 Player of the Season for 2024/25, netting 11 goals and providing seven assists. He has also had loan spells at 1. FC Nürnberg and West Bromwich Albion.

On the international stage, he has played three times for Sierra Leone, including a debut against Chad in 2024.

Mustapha expressed excitement about joining Wigan, stating he believes he can grow and make an impact. Head coach Gary Caldwell praised Mustapha’s skills and potential, emphasising the importance of support from staff and fans.

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

Race heats up as Caf invites bids for three Afcon finals

Even before the invitation for official bids for the next three Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals after 2027 was announced, interested hosts had already been in the race.

A total of seven countries have already placed their names in contention for either the 2028 Afcon or the 2032 and 2036. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has moved the tournament from bi-annual to every four years.

After Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania co-host in 2027, another East African nation, Ethiopia, had already filed to bid for the 2028 edition, according to the state broadcaster EBC, which announced it back in January.

However, the Ethiopian bid is not without challenge, as a joint campaign from four Southern African countries, led by South Africa, is also underway, along with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

This bid could pose a threat to Ethiopia, potentially preventing a back-to-back East African hosting. However, with four countries in a joint bid is a first, and its size could also be a weakness.

Senegal and Egypt have both shown an interest in the 2032 event, but the Egyptians have also hinted at being keen to stage the 2036 finals.

Defending champions Argentina escape Cape Verde upset to reach the last 16
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defending champions Argentina escape Cape Verde upset to reach the last 16

Cape Verde’s coach, Edro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista, expressed pride after their narrow 3-2 loss to the World Champions, Argentina, in extra time at the Miami Stadium.

“We showed what our country stands for. We drew with the world champions twice and brought the game to extra time. I’m proud of our players who represented us well in the World Cup. We displayed our identity,” said Bubista.

Argentina faced a strong challenge from Cabo Verde in a thrilling match. Despite leading twice, Argentina needed extra time to secure their win, which sends them to face Egypt in the Round of 16.

The match lasted the full 120 minutes, with Argentina taking the lead first through Lionel Messi, who scored after 29 minutes. This was Messi’s 20th World Cup goal, putting him ahead in the race for the adidas Golden Boot.

Cabo Verde responded after halftime. Deroy Duarte scored in the 59th minute, equalising the game. Argentina regained the lead when Lautaro Martinez scored in the 92nd minute. However, Cabo Verde’s Lopes Cabral scored again in the 103rd minute to tie it once more.

The match turned in the 111th minute when a corner kick from Messi led to an own goal by Diney Borges, sealing the victory for Argentina.

Final score: Argentina 3-2 Cabo Verde (AET)

Argentina goals: Messi (29), L. Martinez (92), Borges (OG, 111)

Cabo Verde goals: Duarte (59), Lopes Cabral (103)

England leave it late to beat DR Congo, set up Mexico showdown
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

England leave it late to beat DR Congo, set up Mexico showdown

It’s co-hosts Mexico v England at the great Estadio Azteca on July 5th in the round of sixteen after Harry Kane’s brace rescued Thomas Tuchel’s side at the Atlanta Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Harry Kane scored a header in the 75th minute, assisted by Anthony Gordon, to equalize for England after DR Congo took the lead with a goal from Brian Cipenga in the 7th minute.

DR Congo defended well and controlled the game until Kane’s equalizer. However, Kane struck again with another perfect shot, giving England a 2-1 lead.

Historically, England’s Three Lions have not come from behind to win a World Cup game after trailing at halftime since the 1966 final against West Germany.

But under coach Thomas Tuchel, things feel different. Kane scored again, hitting the ball into the roof of the net after receiving a pass from Anthony Gordon and moving into the area. This goal marks Kane’s 13th in World Cup finals and his fifth in this North American campaign.

England’s next match is against co-hosts Mexico at the stadium where legends like Pele and Diego Maradona once played.

Bo Rangers Clinch Fourth Sierra Leone Premier League Title
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Bo Rangers Clinch Fourth Sierra Leone Premier League Title

Sierra Leone’s Southern regional city-based soccer giants, Bo Rangers Football Club, have secured their fourth national top-flight title after edging Diamond Stars FC 1-0 on Sunday at the Southern Arena Mini Stadium in Bo.

It was defender Lamin Kargbo who emerged as the hero for the hosts after scoring the decisive goal in the 75th minute to seal the championship and earn the Man of the Match award.

The victory confirms Bo Rangers as champions of the 2025/26 Leone Rock Premier League with two matches still remaining.

This means, “The Elephants ” now hold an unassailable seven-point lead over the league’s current second-place side, Star Sport Academy FC.

Haven displayed remarkable consistency, team discipline, and resilience throughout the campaign. In five seasons 2021-2026, Bo Rangers FC have once again underlined their dominance in Sierra Leonean football.

Impressively, Head coach Alhaji “Abedi” Foray also etched his name into the club’s history books by guiding the Bo-based side to another league crown, with his tactical discipline and effective squad management proving crucial to the team’s success.

According to League board, Bo Rangers are scheduled to conclude their league campaign against Abacha City FC and Mighty Blackpool FC before being officially presented with the league trophy following their final fixture.

As reigning champions, the Elephants will represent Sierra Leone in the 2026/27 edition of the CAF Champions League, where they will seek to improve on their previous continental campaigns.

Meanwhile, the recent triumph makes Bo Rangers the first club from outside the capital, Freetown, to win Sierra Leone’s top-flight title four times, having previously lifted the trophy in the 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2025/26 seasons.

While their recent achievement further cements their status among Sierra Leone’s most successful clubs, it also shows the ambitious leadership of Bo Rangers Executive Chairman Joe Thomas, under whose stewardship the club has evolved into a dominant force in the national game.