Category: Sports

Sulaiman Kargbo's last-gasp header inspires Lions to Orange FA Cup victory
by Football Sierra Leone

Sulaiman Kargbo’s last-gasp header inspires Lions to Orange FA Cup victory

Sulaiman Kargbo’s last-minute header proved to be the difference in a close 1-0 victory over Mighty Blackpool FC at the Southern Arena in Bo City on Saturday. East End Lions claimed the 2026 Orange FA Cup.

Kargbo’s goal came in the 89th minute after continuous pressure from Mighty Blackpool, but it was Lions who nicked the victory from a corner kick. 

East End Lions Chairman Anthony Junior Navo acknowledged the team’s work. “On behalf of the Executive, Technical Team, Players, and the whole East End Lions family, I extend congratulations to everyone linked with this great club for our historic FA Cup triumph over Mighty Blackpool.

This win demonstrates the tenacity, discipline, and effort our team showed throughout the tournament. Our players and coaching staff deserve great praise for their hard work in bringing this honoured award back to Freetown.

Special gratitude to Sulaiman S. Kargbo (SS) for the goal-winning FA Cup title and qualifying East End Lions for the CAF tournament football. This success proves our team’s drive and might.”

As a result of this triumph, Lions is expected to represent Sierra Leone in the second-tier CAF Interclub competition – The CAF Confederation Cup. 

Côte d’Ivoire Receives Boost as Striker Elye Wahi Is Cleared to Enter Canada
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Côte d’Ivoire Receives Boost as Striker Elye Wahi Is Cleared to Enter Canada

The Ivory Coast’s football federation announced that striker Elye Wahi has been permitted to enter Canada, therefore providing a major boost before their FIFA World Cup match against Germany.

On Thursday, the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) said that the forward’s travel administrative problems had been solved so he could keep playing in the competition.

The federation said in an official statement that Wahi’s arrival into Canadian territory had been duly authorised, therefore clearing the path for him to accompany the Elephants’ mission.

Elye Wahi’s administrative status has improved. The statement read, “The required clearances for his admission into Canadian territory have now been sought.”

Thus, the Ivorian international is permitted to accompany the Elephants team to Canada and will keep competing alongside his colleagues as usual.

The statement ends days of doubt regarding the 23-year-old striker, who had apparently struggled getting into Canada, given an investigation in France over claimed match-fixing infractions now underway.

French authorities are presently looking into Wahi over claims that he purposefully sought a yellow card during a May Ligue 1 game against Metz, playing for Nice. Still qualified for selection, the striker has not been accused of any offence.

Having played in Cote d’Ivoire’s World Cup opener against Ecuador, the ex-France youth international helped the Elephants win a prized 1-0 match.

Before Saturday’s pivotal Group E match against Germany in Toronto, his availability is projected to give coach Emerse Faé a significant boost.

Additionally , thanking everyone engaged in resolving the problem, the FIF welcomed the good result.

Wahi is scheduled to rejoin the team in Canada as Cote d’Ivoire pursues a berth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stages with the travel problem fixed.

Hugo Broos Praises Bafana Bafana’s Determination After Draw with Czech Republic
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Hugo Broos Praises Bafana Bafana’s Determination After Draw with Czech Republic

South Africa battled diligently to maintain their FIFA World Cup hope, drawing 1-1 with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday. Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty guaranteed this crucial point after their first loss to Mexico.

Coach Hugo Broos said he was proud of how his team responded after the game. Though the ultimate result made one a little depressed, he pointed out that the squad played aggressive football and produced good opportunities.

Broos underlined the attitude they displayed following the defeat to Mexico and underlined the fact that the players determine their own fate. He said that the emphasis now turns to defeating South Korea to boost their prospects for progress.

Broos also responded to outside criticism by saying he will maintain his strategy and the team’s results speak for itself.

The Story of Bafana Bafana Goes On

One point from two games puts South Africa tied with the Czech Republic in Group A. With two victories, Mexico leads the group; South Korea still has to play their second game.

Along with some of the best third-placed teams in this year’s enlarged World Cup with 48 teams, the top two teams from every group advance to the round of 32. Every stage is important, and this draw offers Bafana some breathing room.

South Africa now heads into the must-win game against South Korea knowing that a win will secure their qualification possibilities. A draw or loss will make advancement considerably more difficult and may rely on other match outcomes.

Lionel Messi's First World Cup Hat-Trick Sinks Algeria
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Lionel Messi’s First World Cup Hat-Trick Sinks Algeria

Veteran attacker Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick as Algeria’s return to the FIFA World Cup ended in sadness as they fell 3-0 to Argentina in their Group J opener in Kansas City.

Even though the score seems good for Argentina, Algeria played well against one of the favourites before Lionel Messi’s amazing hat-trick, which tied him for the all-time World Cup goalscoring record.

Though they lost, Algeria demonstrated a good football mentality. Coach Vladimir Petkovic’s team showed courage and structure.

The game got off to an exciting start. Though a VAR review determined it offside, Messi believed he scored in the fifth minute. Algeria rapidly answered Fares Chaibi’s pass from Ibrahim Maza, but another offside call ruled out that goal as well.

Algeria played solid defence, and goalie Luca Zidane came up with numerous crucial stops. Messi scored in the 17th minute with an amazing left-footed attempt. Though behind, Algeria kept fighting, and Chaibi presented a continual threat.

Argentina dominating the ball defined the second half as well. Reacting swiftly to a rebound, Messi scored once again; his hat trick followed in the 76th minute with a curved shot.

Algeria concentrated on lost opportunities and lessons acquired while Argentina rejoiced. On June 22 in San Francisco, winning is essential to keep their chances of reaching the knockout rounds alive as they will next meet Jordan.

Though they lost, Algeria’s skill and tenacity reveal that their World Cup path is still on.

Amad nets late winner as Côte d'Ivoire claim dramatic victory
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amad nets late winner as Côte d’Ivoire claim dramatic victory

In an exhilarating game where the woodwork was struck four times, Amad Diallo scored a goal in the 90th minute to help Côte d’Ivoire defeat Ecuador 1-0. 

The game seemed like it would result in a tie until Diallo, who came in as a substitute, shot into the bottom corner and sparked celebrations.

The first part was quite active. With a strong shot from outside the box, Ecuador’s John Yeboah struck the crossbar. Soon after, Alan Minda curled his shot off the bar, missing a fantastic opportunity when he got a perfect pass from Pedro Vite, and Côte d’Ivoire’s goalkeeper Yahia Fofana couldn’t stop it.

Côte d’Ivoire also made opportunities. While Bazoumana Toure had a low shot that needed a fingertip save from Ecuador’s goalie Hernan Galindez, Yan Diomande was extremely active on the right side, generating hazardous runs.

Enner Valencia’s shot from a difficult angle connected with the crossbar in the latter half. Elye Wahi of Côte d’Ivoire then hit the bar with a decent first-time shot he could not hold down.

Having more possession while Ecuador defended, Côte d’Ivoire began to manage the game. Their hard work was rewarded when Amad’s goal moved them to the lead in Group E.

Key Stat -Important number: Yan Diomande, then 19 years and 212 days old, was the first youngster to compete for Côte d’Ivoire in a FIFA World Cup match.

Diomande committed his prize to his mother, still mending from surgery. Said: We were desperate for that. We came here to write history. We still have two more games to play and need to concentrate and strive to win. them. Though Ecuador has excellent players, we kept calm as we knew this game would be challenging.

– Côte d’Ivoire Amad Diallo, goalscorer: We worked diligently, we won, and now we are all happy. It is honourable to speak for our country. It’s difficult as we stand for about 33 million individuals. Every game, we want to win and create history together.

– Yan Diomande, Côte d’Ivoire winger and Better Player of the Match: “We changed our strategy in the second half and dominated the game enough to at least earn a draw. Against a good team, we worked hard. Though it’s not what we hoped for, it’s only the start, and we will keep striving.”

Sebastian Beccacece, Ecuador’s coach: “In the second half, we made the necessary adjustments and were in control enough to secure at least a draw. We put in a tremendous effort against a strong opponent. The final result wasn’t what we wanted, but it’s just the beginning, and we have to keep working.”