Attacker Mustapha Bundu set to join new teammates next week

by FSL News | 9 Sep, 2023 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

Attacker Mustapha Bundu set to join new teammates next week

English Championship side Plymouth Argyle have confirmed their new acquisition, Mustapha Bundu, to join new teammates next week.

The Sierra Leone International joined subject to international clearance and the approval of a work visa. Mustapha will wear squad number 15.

Speaking to Plymouth Live, Director of Football Neil Dewsnip has said all process to secure a work permit for the 26-year-old Sierra Leone international is going according to plan.

Bundu, a graduate of the Craig Bellamy Academy, signed from Belgian club Anderlecht for an undisclosed fee on a contract until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The attacker, who has played 14 times for the Sierra Leone national team and recorded three goals, is waiting on his work permit.

Dewsnip told Plymouth Live: “We are hoping by Monday Bundu will be with the team. Everything has gone to plan so far.

“We are just waiting for the visa now to be processed and to get the green light. Hopefully, that’s still on course – that is my understanding anyway.”

Argyle Manager Steven Schumacher, said: “I am thrilled that we have managed to bring Mustapha to the club.”

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Southern Arena to host Bo Rangers, Belouizdad first leg

by FSL News | 8 Sep, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Southern Arena to host Bo Rangers, Belouizdad first leg

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, have granted second approval to Southern Arena in Bo City, Sierra Leone, to host Bo Rangers Champions League second-round preliminary first leg this month.

Sierra Leone champions will host their CAF Champions League second preliminary first leg against Algerian side CR Belouizdad on 17 September 2023 before travelling for the return leg two weeks later.

Kickoff time is at 4:00 pm local time in Bo city as the match will be officiated by a quartet of Nigerians led by Joseph Odey Ogabor as Centre man.

Vice President of The Gambia Football Association, Bakary K Jammeh, will serve as Match Commissioner, with Togolese former international referee Kokou Djaoupe as the referee assessor.

Having engraved their name in the Sierra Leone top-flight history books after a back-to-back title, they will be hopeful to relive that moment this time on the continental stage.

The Southern Province progressed to this stage after eliminating Liberian side LISCR FC 2-1 on aggregate over two legs in the first preliminary rounds.

It’s going to be the third and fourth meetings between the two sides. However, Bo Rangers was eliminated by Algerian giants CR Belouizdad in their maiden continental appearance 3-0 on aggregate last September following a goalless first-leg encounter in the Liberian capital.

Egypt’s Al Ahly are the current holders of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after their fiercely contested victory over Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca on a 3-2 aggregate victory in June.

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Southern Arena to Bo Rangers, CR Belouizdad second round first leg

AFCONQ wrap-up: Guinea-Bissau open camp for Sierra Leone

by FSL News | 7 Sep, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

AFCONQ wrap-up: Guinea-Bissau open camp for Sierra Leone

Federação de Futebol da Guiné-Bissau have confirmed that the National will open camp on Wednesday, 6th September, ahead of their final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.

The Wild Dogs of Bissau will host Sierra Leone on Monday at the Estádio 24 de Setembro to wrap up the qualifiers.

Already qualified alongside the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the home team will be using the Leone Stars tie as preparation for their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in November.

“National coach Baciro Cande has selected his sqaud for the match of the last Group A journey of the final stage of CAN2024 qualification, with the exception of goalkeeper Djonas Mendes, who is due to arrive in Bissau tomorrow, Wednesday, to join the group at the stage of the CAN2024 selection.,” the Bissua FA announced.

“The first training session was attended on the stadium benches by the president of the Guinea-Bissau Football Federation, “Caito Teixeira”, and the members of the executive committee and other football lovers.”

TotalEnergies AFCON qualifiers: Fixtures & kick-off times

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Steven Caulker out as Sierra Leone confirm Guinea-Bissau Squad

by FSL News | 7 Sep, 2023 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Steven Caulker out as Sierra Leone confirm Guinea-Bissau Squad

Sierra Leone skipper Steven has been left out for the trip to Guinea-Bissau as coach John Keister named his squad for the African Cup of Nations final Group A contest in Bissau.

The Djurtus Wild Dogs of Bissau will host Sierra Leone on Monday at the Estádio 24 de Setembro to wrap up the qualifiers.

There is a first-time call-up for midfielder Mamadu Saidu Sow, based in Spain.

Other notable inclusions are Queens Park Rangers right-back Osman Kakay, Al Shahaniya midfielder Alhassan Koroma, AEL Limassol attacker Jonathan Morsay, Amadou Bakayoko, who is on loan to Scottish side Dundee FC from Forest Green Rovers, Charleston Battery‘s striker Augustine Williams, Augustus Kargbo from Cesena, Rodney Michael and Emmanuel Samadia.

Nine foreign-based players listed for the trip as Sierra Leone will want to end the qualifiers on a high note by winning in Bissau after both teams played to a 2-2 draw in their first meeting in June 2022.

Guinea-Bissau, on the other hand, will aim to win a fourth match in the group stage for the first time when they host the Leone Stars.

Guinea-Bissua, alongside the Super Eagles of Nigeria, have already secured qualification to next year’s AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire from Group A.

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Steven Caulker out as Sierra Leone confirm Guinea-Bissau Squad

New Cesena acquisition Augustus Kargbo to wear No 10 Jersey

by FSL News | 6 Sep, 2023 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

New Cesena acquisition Augustus Kargbo to wear No 10 Jersey

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo set to wear No. 10 jersey after the Italian side Cesena confirmed on the website on Monday.

Kargbo, 24, joined the Serie C side from Crotone on a three-year deal until June 30, 2026, the club said in their statement.

After the International break, the attacker is expected to make his Cesena debut against Pontedera on Friday, September 15.

“I strongly wanted to join Cesena; when I learned of the possibility of coming here, I immediately said yes to the Artico. I like to take responsibility,” he told the club’s website in his first interview.

“I will find the optimal condition by playing with my teammates. I can play multiple roles and am available to the coach.” Then he continues: “Cesena was in my destiny; when I injured my knee, I did rehabilitation here. I always passed in front of the stadium and imagined coming to play in this city.”

Finally, he concludes with a thought about his new teammates: “Even if I have only been here for two days, I have seen a nice group. There is everything to do well, and we must work day and night to achieve a single goal.”

The attacker, who started his professional career when he debuted in Serie D with Campobasso in the 2017/18 season, recorded 20 appearances and six goals before his move to Croton.

A loan move followed to Roccella for the 2018/19 season and Reggiana in 2019/20.

Kargbo was a pivotal figure in Crotone’s Serie A promotion from Serie B by scoring the decisive goal in the final play-off against Bari.

After making his debut in Serie A with Crotone on September 20, 2020, he returns to Reggiana in Serie B.

He has returned to play for the Calabrian club in the last two seasons, scoring six goals in 64 games.

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