Category: Football Africa

Ivorian giant outfit Asec Mimosas pick quarter-final ticket
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivorian giant outfit Asec Mimosas pick quarter-final ticket

From Group C, ASEC Mimosas reached the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals with a 4-0 win over Orapa United, with Celestine Ecua scoring twice. USM Alger topped Group C by defeating ASC Jaraaf 2-0, thanks to late goals from Ismail Belkacemi and Saadi Redouani.

In Group B, Renaissance Berkane made a strong statement by beating Stellenbosch 5-0 in their last group match. Berkane’s performance featured two goals from Pape Bassène and early strikes from Omar Lamlioui and Youssef Mehri, securing them a total of 14 points as group winners.

Lamlioui scored first just seven minutes in, followed by Mehri eight minutes later. In the second half, Bassène added two goals, and Youssef Zoughdi completed the rout.

Despite this loss, Stellenbosch advanced to the quarter-finals as runners-up with nine points. They succeeded thanks to Deportivo Luanda-Sul’s 1-0 victory over Stade Malien.

These results marked a significant achievement for Stellenbosch in their first continental tournament, though they will need to improve before the knockout stages.

CF Group in discussions to acquire Sierra Leone teenager Juma Bah
by Football Sierra Leone

CF Group in discussions to acquire Sierra Leone teenager Juma Bah

City Football Group (CFG) is in talks to sign young African center-back Juma Bah, sources have informed ESPN.

CFG, the parent company of Manchester City, also owns several top-flight football clubs in countries such as Australia and the United States.

Juma, an 18-year-old defender born in Sierra Leone, joined Real Valladolid on loan last summer from AIK Freetong, which competes in his country’s top division.

The Spanish club initially planned for him to progress through the youth ranks before moving up to the first team. However, this plan changed after he made an impressive LA Liga debut against Real Sociedad In September. Since then, Juma has made 13 additional first-team appearances, catching the attention of several European clubs.

Valladolid recently exercised their option to sign him on a permanent basis, and sources have indicated that CFG is working diligently to add him to their roster during the January transfer window.

Inter Milan has also shown interest, but a source informed ESPN that CFG is currently in the best position to secure his signature. However, it remains to be seen whether Bah would stay on loan at Valladolid or continue his career at one of CFG’s clubs.

Ivorian descent Romain Esse speaks after joining Crystal Palace
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivorian descent Romain Esse speaks after joining Crystal Palace

Ivorian descent Romain Esse has spoken for the first time since completing a club record £14.5 million transfer from Millwall to join South London rivals Crystal Palace.

The Lambeth-born winger was officially announced as a Palace player on Saturday morning, signing a five-and-a-half-year deal at Selhurst Park.

Esse, who made 66 appearances for Millwall after progressing through their youth system, will be eligible to play for Palace in their Premier League fixture next weekend against Brentford.

Eagles sporting director Dougie Freedman is known for discovering top young talent in the Championship, with notable successes including Adam Wharton, Michael Olise, and Eberechi Eze. Olise, who plays in the same position as Esse, left for Bayern Munich in the summer for £50 million.

“I’m very much looking forward to it – I’m really excited,” Esse told PalaceTV. “It’s a great project and opportunity – I can’t wait to get started. It’s been a long process, but I’m just happy it’s finally done. The club is heading in a fantastic direction.

“The next step in my development is very important. I believe this is the best place for me. I can’t wait to start playing under the manager.

“This is the perfect environment for opportunities and to elevate my game to the next level to advance my career. I’m eager to play in the Premier League, and most importantly, for Crystal Palace.”

International

On 22 March 2023, Esse debuted for England U18 in a 2-1 victory over Croatia in Medulin. Then, on 6 September 2023, he made his debut for England U19 during a 1-0 loss to Germany in Oliva.

Alhassan Crespo Kamara set for a return to Superettan football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alhassan Crespo Kamara set for a return to Superettan football

Alhassan Kamara, who unexpectedly retired from professional football due to warnings about the risk of ending up in a wheelchair, has begun training with Swedish Superettan club Varbergs BoIS, and a contract is expected to be finalized soon, Football Sierra Leone understands.

Four years after he announced his retirement, the former AIK striker looks certain to continue in the second-highest level of Swedish football.

After suffering an injury early in the 2014 season, Kamara scored his first goal on August 9 against Mjällby AIF. He went on to score 14 goals in the last 12 games of the season, despite often being substituted in the second half.

Notably, he played the full 90 minutes in only 7 out of 19 games. Kamara, 31, began his career with FC Kallon and joined Bodens BK, competing in Division 1 Norra, on July 29, 2011.

During his five-month loan at Boden, he scored five goals in 10 games. He then signed a contract with AIK on October 5, 2011. In the first half of the 2012 season, he made 11 appearances for AIK. After the summer, he was loaned out to Örebro SK, where he scored four goals in eight appearances.

On January 24, 2013, it was announced that he would again be loaned to Örebro SK for the remainder of the 2013 season. After that season, Örebro SK opted to purchase him from AIK, where he had struggled to make an impact, failing to score in 14 league appearances.

On September 2, 2018, the Greek Super League club Panetolikos officially announced the signing of Sierra Leonean international Alhassan Kamara Crespo until the end of the 2019-20 season.

The striker was released from Häcken after two successful seasons in the Swedish Allsvenskan. After a stint with IFK Värnamo, Kamara announced his retirement from football on September 23, 2021, following several years of issues related to a knee injury.

Alhassan Crespo Kamara trains with Varbergs Bois
Alhassan Crespo Kamara trains with Varbergs Bois
Sierra Leone U17 girls set for Central African Republic qualifying decider
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone U17 girls set for Central African Republic qualifying decider

The Sierra Leone U17 girls’ team will compete against the Central African Republic in the second leg of the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifiers for Morocco on Saturday, January 18, at the Multi-Purpose Japoma Stadium in Cameroon.

Coach Fatmata Turay’s squad has arrived safely and is preparing for what promises to be an exciting match, following a goalless draw in their first encounter in Sierra Leone. The team is in high spirits and ready to represent Sierra Leone with pride. They completed their first training session on Thursday in preparation for this crucial game.

The winner of this match will advance to face another formidable opponent in the second round, meeting the winner of the match between Guinea and Togo.

The 2025 African U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification represents the 10th edition of this tournament, which is open to players born on or after January 1, 2008. The four winners from the third round will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

On Saturday, Sierra Leone U17 Girls played to a goalless draw at the Southern Arena in the first leg of the CAF World Cup qualifier
On Saturday, Sierra Leone U17 Girls played to a goalless draw at the Southern Arena in the first leg of the CAF World Cup qualifier