Category: Football Africa

Coach Amidu Karim is pleased with Leone Stars' friendly results
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Amidu Karim reflects on first two games in charge

Amidu Karim says he was pleased with his opening two matches as head coach in charge of Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars for friendly games in Morocco.

On Tuesday, his preparation continued following a 2-0 win over Somalia in a tier-two friendly in Casablanca, Morocco. His first task was a 1-1 draw with Benin.

Leone Stars secured a pass mark unbeaten in their Morocco camp, a start to life the coach was pleased about. 

Under Karim’s guidance, Odense Boldklub striker Mohamed Buya Turay scored his first three International goals for Sierra Leone.

“Generally, the experience was a unique one, as a technical team, we are pleased with the outcome of both matches. I am pleased also because it is my first time as head coach – hence, starting well in charge was precisely the target.”

“In the competition proper, two games and four points will be immense for us. However, this is just a start – we remain focused and working on the areas to strengthen ahead of difficult matches in November. 

I was a bit disappointed not to win against Benin as we came very close. I must commend the players for their commitment as well. In Football, it’s not easy to get 100 per cent, but they’ve shown me a lot. We still have to make decisions for the success of Sierra Leone.”

The World Cup 2026 qualifiers will see Sierra Leone battle Ethiopia and Egypt in Group A doubleheader in November – these games will be the ultimate test in Karim’s reign. 

Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, powerhouse Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau and Djibouti all makeup Group A in the race to the 2026 World Cup.

The continental journey to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023. 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.com. National News.

Sierra Leone ease past Somalia Blue Stars in Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone ease past Somalia in Morocco

On Tuesday, Sierra Leone continued their World Cup preparation with a pass mark after securing a 2-0 win over Somalia in a tier-two friendly in Casablanca, Morocco.

Cheltenham defender Curtis Davies, 38, and HSV Hoek center-back Augustine Loof, 27, both made their debut for Sierra Leone in the win as they played the full throttle of the contest.

Having secured a 1-1 draw against Benin in coach Amidu Karims’s first outing with the Leone Stars on Saturday, striker Mohamed Buya Turay opened the scoring for Sierra Leone from the spot.

Coach Karim’s side was awarded a penalty after the Somalia keeper Bilaal Njie brought down the Odense Boldklub striker in the box in the 24th minute.

Turay comfortably converted the spot kick for his second Leone Stars goal in Morocco before completing his brace after a scintillating pass from the right wing in the 58th minute.

Tuesday’s win was the first for the new Leone Stars technical as they continue preparation for World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Somalia were not a threat to Sierra Leone for most of the game. However, they’ll face a much tougher test against Ethiopia and Egypt in the November World Cup doubleheader.

Sierra Leone in Group A against Ethiopia, powerhouse Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau and Djibouti are the others in the race to the 2026 World Cup.

The continental journey to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023. 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.com. National News.

Sierra Leone ease past Somalia Blue Stars in Morocco.
Sierra Leone ease past Somalia Blue Stars in Morocco.
Sierra Leone had a successful camp in the International window in Morocco
Sierra Leone had a successful camp in the International window in Morocco
2023 Cup of Nations final draw produced intriguing contest
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

2023 Cup of Nations final draw produced intriguing contest

The groups for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023, were confirmed on Thursday in Abidjan, with some intriguing contests awaiting exciting fans.

Brand-new Parc Des Expositions venue in Abidjan hosted the event on Wednesday with hosts Ivory Coast among 24 nations – including Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Cameroon, Algeria, South Africa and holders Senegal – who have qualified.

Hosts Cote d’Ivoire to face regional rivals Nigeria as defending champions Senegal drew African giant Cameroon. Record winners Egypt renewed hostilities with Ghana. 

“It’s a really difficult group,” Senegal’s Mane said at the end of the presentation.

“Cameroon is going to be really tough but we will give our best to go through in the first round.”

Africa’s World Cup semi-finalists and 2025 hosts Morocco will face DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania.

The continent’s showpiece event is set to run from 13 January to 11 February 2023.

Despite now being played in 2024, it has kept 2023 as part of its official title. The Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan will host the final on 11 February.

Groups:

Group A: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau

Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde Islands, Mozambique

Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia

Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola

Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia

Group F: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News, and AFCON 2023. 

Curtis Davies first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Work underway for Amidu Karim with International friendlies

Images of Sierra Leone as they continue groundwork ahead of friendlies against Benin and Somalia as part of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Sierra Leone to face Benin on Saturday before tackling Somalia on Tuesday in Casablanca, Morocco.

Head Coach Amidu Karim has described his first training as “vibrant, exciting, reassuring and most importantly full-blown”. It gives the team a clear and positive vision of what lies ahead.

Israeli-based defender Abdulai Jajue Kabia is the only absentee from the squad named by coach Karim due to the availability of flights from his location.

The Leone Stars journey to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone – Players Abroad News  & National News on Leone Stars. 

Head Coach Amidu Karim focus on duty in Casablanca
Head Coach Amidu Karim focus on duty in Casablanca
Curtis Davies's first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco along side Queens Park Rangers Osman Kakay
Curtis Davies's first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco along side Queens Park Rangers Osman Kakay
First-time call-up for former Dutch U20 defender now playing for HSV Hoek in the Netherlands Derde Divisie, the fourth tier of Dutch football
First-time call-up for former Dutch U20 defender now playing for HSV Hoek in the Netherlands Derde Divisie, the fourth tier of Dutch football
Sullay Kaikai from English League One side Cambridge United working hard in this session
Sullay Kaikai from English League One side Cambridge United working hard in this session
Alpha Bedor Conteh from Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the Bulgarian efbet Liga works on his pace
Alpha Bedor Conteh from Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the Bulgarian efbet Liga works on his pace
Attackers: Amadou Bakayoko and Mohamed Buya Turay go up against each other in training
Attackers: Amadou Bakayoko and Mohamed Buya Turay go up against each other in training
Caf 'A' licensed coach Victoria Conteh set for SFEF sport education program
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Caf A licenced coach Victoria embraces empowerment role  

CAF A Licence female trainer Victoria Conteh, the first woman to coach a top-tier men’s football club in Sierra Leone, is set to hit the road running – on a quest to educate the next generation of coaches across Sierra Leone.

Coach Conteh to join hands in the Sport For Empowerment Foundation Grassroots coaches and management training to be rolled out from the 14th of October 2023 across Sierra Leone for up to three weeks.

Over the years, she has been working with the SFEF foundation across Sierra Leone to promote grassroots education programs for young coaches in rural areas.

In May of 2022, she led their first-ever grassroots coaches management and education training program in Kono. In August of the same year, a follow-up training program was organized in Kono, with coaches from various areas across the country participating in the training.

This month, she will lead a group of expert coaches who will be travelling from Lungi, Bo, Kenema, Mattru Jong, Kono, Kamakwie, and Makeni to continue educating grassroots coaches with the theme Building Better Communities Through Education and Sport.

Conteh is the only female CAF Instructor in Sierra Leone and holds a CAF ‘A’ License. She has served as under 20 women’s team coach. 

She now serves as coordinator for the Sierra Leone national female team. Victoria Conteh was a member of the first Sierra Leone Women’s International in 1994.

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