Category: Football Africa

Striker Kei Kamara helps Los Angeles secure US Cup last 16 spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Kei Kamara helps Los Angeles secure US Cup last 16 spot

Los Angeles secured their place in the Round of 16 in the US Open Cup by defeating Las Vegas Lights 3-1 at Cashman Field on Wednesday night. 

Sierra Leone’s Kei Kamara recorded his first goal for the Black & Gold with a header – just two minutes into the second half. Timothy Tillman crossed the ball from the left wing, and Kamara’s finish found the back of the net.

In the 56th minute, Shawn Smart scored a goal for Las Vegas to level the score. However, LAFC continued to create chances, and in the 70th minute, Cristian Olivera broke the tie by tapping Omar Campos’ deflected cross into the goal.

Olivera then secured LAFC’s win with his second goal in the 91st minute, making it 3-1.

Despite head coach Steve Cherundolo receiving a straight red card in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, LAFC maintained their composure throughout the match.

LAFC will host Loudoun United, a Division II team in the USL Championship, in two weeks at BMO Stadium. 

 

https://twitter.com/LAFC/status/1788430121189384336

Brighton's Carlos Baleba set to boost Cameroon squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba set to boost Cameroon squad

Cameroon’s national football team, the “Indomitable Lions,” is set to add Carlos Baleba to its squad after his recent agreement to represent the team.

Football Sierra Leone understands that the announcement of the squad will provide insight into Brys’s vision for Cameroon’s footballing future.

Baleba is one of Africa’s most promising talents and has emerged as an exceptional midfielder since his transfer to Brighton from Lille last summer.

Baleba, 20, joined Albion in August 2023 from Lille, signing a five-year contract.

Baleba’s absence from Cameroon’s squad during the last Africa Cup of Nations caused controversy, but he has now agreed to play for the team.

Head coach Marc Brys is expected to be named Brighton’s player for the World Cup 2026 upcoming matches against Cape Verde and Angola.Africa’s 

Sébastien Haller eyes in UEFA Champions League final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivorian Sébastien Haller could join Uefa Champions League elite

 
The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final will take place at London’s historic Wembley Stadium. This is the 69th season of Europe’s elite club competition and the 32nd since it was renamed the UEFA Champions League.
 
 
 
 
 
Sierra Leone FA Cup final abandoned as rival fans clash
by FSL News

Sierra Leone FA Cup final abandoned as rival fans clash

On Saturday, at the newly renovated Port Loko field, the Sierra Leone FA Cup final was marred by unruly fan behaviour, leading to chaos and the match being abandoned. 

The Bo Rangers, the defending champions and East End Lions were set to compete in this year’s FA Cup tournament. However, even before the game could commence, fans from both sides started fighting. Law enforcement officials had to intervene by using tear gas to restore order.

The violence began while the FA President, Thomas Brima, was delivering his pre-match speech. Stones were thrown from one side of the stadium to the other. It was unclear who started it, but the police had to intervene to quell the violence. Fortunately, the FA President was unharmed.

Despite fans’ disturbance, the FA Cup final was allowed to proceed until it was halted midway through the second half due to a stone that hit East End Lions player Abdul Nymekye, causing injury. The score was 0-0 at the time. But before the incident, the referee disallowed Bo Rangers’ goal for offside, accumulating more fans’ dissatisfaction.

The Sierra Leone Football Association asks for calm and patience as they await match officials’ reports ahead of the pending Investigation. 

The National Sports Authority has condemned all forms of violence in sports and urges authorities to investigate the violent incident during the final. 

‘Sports should unite people, not incite violence. The game should be won on the pitch, not through violent means. Therefore, the SLFA should find a neutral venue to conclude this year’s FA Cup.’

NFF appointed Finidi George as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Finidi George appointed as new Head Coach of Nigeria

The Nigeria Football Federation Board has given the green light to Finidi George as the new Head Coach of the Senior Men National Football Team, Super Eagles. 

George had previously worked as an assistant to José Santos Peseiro for 20 months before taking over as interim coach for two friendly matches in Morocco last month. 

During his time as interim coach, the team managed to beat Ghana 2-1 but lost 0-2 to Mali. George is a former player who has represented Nigeria in 62 matches and was part of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament-winning squad.

As the new head coach, George’s immediate task will be to guide the Super Eagles to victory in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic. 

The matches are must-win encounters, with the Super Eagles currently in third place in Group C of the African campaign behind Rwanda and South Africa.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1785015390650950031