Dreams FC reject FC Kallon’s Southern Arena request

by FSL News | 19 Sep, 2023 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Dreams FC reject FC Kallon’s Southern Arena request

Ghanaian club Dreams FC have rejected FC Kallon’s request to play their CAF Confederation Cup second round second leg at the Southern Arena in Bo City, Sierra Leone.

Dreams won the first leg by 2-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, and the return fixture was billed to be played at the Southern Arena in Bo City.

In a communique seen by this medium, Dreams emphasised that they will not grant FC Kallon its consent to played in Sierra Leone.

“Dreams FC wants to re-emphasis its position that it will not grant FC Kallon its concent to have the aforesaid match played at their preferred venue in Bo City.”

Consequently, we would be grateful for the confirmation of an alternate venue that meets the requirements and regulations governing this competition within the shortest possible time in order for us to finalise our plans for the match.”

It’s all to play for in the second round second leg as Kallon will look to surpass last season after they were eliminated in this stage by FC Future of Egypt.

Dreams reached this stage of the competition after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Milo FC of Guinea in August.

The second preliminary round of return fixtures is on 30 September 2023, as Karim Zito’s side faces an uphill task away from home. FC Kallon, Dreams will now played at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium In the Liberian Capital.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer on Twitter @bittar32, Contact bi****@ol*.net and African News.

Bo Rangers suffer Champions League home defeat

by FSL News | 18 Sep, 2023 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Bo Rangers suffer Champions League home defeat

Sierra Leone Champions Bo Rangers suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Algerian side CR Belouizdad in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Sunday at the Southern Arena.

Rangers started well and capitalised in the 11-minute as Abu Komeh opened his CAF Champions League account.

However, the Algerian side regrouped and started passing the ball with more agility. They levelled the scoreline in the 42nd minute through Ben Tahar Meziane to silence the home fans.

After the recess, It was an end-to-end affair as both teams rallied to get a second goal of the day. The visitors took the lead through Algerian forward Ousama Darfalou just seven minutes after the break.

Oussama Darfalou recorded his brace in the 80th minute as he gave his side a 3-1 away goal advantage.

As a result, Bo Rangers face a giant second-leg task. The return fixture is set to be played at the Oran Olympic Stadium in Algeria on September 30th 2023.

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.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer on Twitter @bittar32, Contact bi****@ol*.net and African News.

Bo Rangers suffer a heavy Champions League defeat

Middlesbrough debut defeat for Alex Bangura

by FSL News | 18 Sep, 2023 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

Middlesbrough debut defeat for Alex Bangura

On Saturday, Sierra Leone International Alex Bnagura made his Middlesbrough debut in their 2-1 defeat against Blackburn Rovers at Edwood Park.

The former Cambuur left-back started his first English Championship match for Middleborough but was not able to help his side avoid defeat.

Sammie Szmodics’ double strike gave Blackburn a vital win as they marked the 5,000th league game in their history.

The midfielder scored in either half to keep Boro anchored to the bottom spot with five defeats from six.

Matt Crooks gave Boro hope with a goal in an end-to-end game in which both teams missed a host of chances.

Rovers became only the seventh English club to play 5,000 league games and moved up to eighth.

Frustrated with yesterday’s result, but super proud to make my official debut for @Boro🔴⚪️

We move on together! 💪🏿#UTB #Bangs🌪️ pic.twitter.com/6Cvsp9IfXj
— Alex Bangura (@alexbanguraa) September 17, 2023

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and Players Abroad. The writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@ol*.net .

Stage set for Cote d’Ivoire Cup of Nations 2023 final draw

by FSL News | 13 Sep, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Stage set for Cote d’Ivoire Cup of Nations 2023 final draw

All twenty-four nations set to know their group opponents on October 12 after the final draw in the Ivorian Capital of Abidjan.

After the Indomitable Lions picked up their tickets to make it a 19th straight finals by thrashing Burundi 3-0 in Garoua to top Group C on Tuesday, the Confederation of African Football has announced the date for the official draw.

Continental goliaths like Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and Algeria are among the big guns waiting to know their fate.

The gigantic football events in the continent will kick off in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on 13 January 2024. CAF noted that the official draw will be held in Abidjan on 12 October 2023.

Next year’s (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire will be the 34th edition of the biennial African Association Football Tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football.

It will be hosted by Ivory Coast for the second time, having first hosted it in 1984. Senegal are the defending champions after beating Egypt in a penalty shootout last year.

Fifty-two (52) nations battle in the qualification phase, but only 24 will compete in the finals.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer on Twitter @bittar32, Contact bi****@ol*.net and African News.

Defender Alex Bangura in line for Middlesbrough debut

by FSL News | 13 Sep, 2023 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

Defender Alex Bangura in line for Middlesbrough debut

Middlesbrough travel to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday following the International break, and new acquisition Alex Bangura could make his debut for the English Championship side.

Michael Carrick’s side will be looking for a quick response following the defeat to Queens Park Rangers. Bangura was introduced in their 2-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers before the International break on September 2nd.

The Sierra Leone International joined the club on a four-year deal on 1st September as he became the club’s 12th signing of the summer. Bangura, who started his career in the Netherlands with DRL before joining Feyenoord at the youth level, wanted to get started.

“I cant wait to play in front of the Boro fans. It feels very good to be a Boro player like everyone was welcoming,” Bangura told the club’s website. “After a couple of charts with the club, i knew that I wanted to come here. I heard a lot about the club’s ambition and it has been a dream move for me to play in Egngland.”

Boro head coach Michael Carrick was delighted to welcome Alex to the club. “Alex is a really exciting signing,” he said. “He’s a left-back, and he’s captained his team. He’s a good character with a great personality and he won’t have any problem fitting into the group.”

He played for the Dutch club from U18 to U21 level before joining SC Cambuur permanently. He played a pivotal role in Cambuur’s promotion winner and has spent the last two seasons playing regularly in the Dutch top flight.

He has played the majority of his football at left-back but has also played on the wing. Alex is a five-time capped international for Sierra Leone.

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2023/september/01/alex-bangura-delighted-by-boro-switch/

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and Players Abroad. The writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@ol*.net .

FC Kallon set for Dreams Confederation Cup first leg

by FSL News | 12 Sep, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

FC Kallon set for Dreams Confederation Cup first leg

Sierra Leone CAF Confederation Cup representative for the 2023/24 competition, FC Kallon, departed Liberia for Ghana to face Dreams FC in the Second round first leg on Friday.

The Accra Sports Stadium is set to host this contest between the two West African clubs.

Having reached the competition’s second round without kicking a ball following the withdrawal of AS Douanes, Kallon will look to surpass last season when they were eliminated in this stage by FC Future of Egypt.

The club’s owner and head coach, Mohamed Kallon, confirmed their departure on Facebook; ” Kallon departs Liberia Airport for Ghana to engage Dreams FC on Friday, 15th September, 2023, in the CAF Confederations Cup Second Preliminary Round, first leg Qualifier fixture in Accra, for a spot into the group stage.”

The former Inter Milan and Monaco was the coach of his club (FC Kallon) in the CAF inter-clubs Confederation Cup last September when they progressed to the second qualifying stage of the competition.

Under his guidance, they eliminated Buffles de Borgou of Benin 4-0 on aggregate – but they suffered a heavy defeat to the Egyptian side FC Future over the two legs in the second preliminary round.

Dreams reached this stage of the competition with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Milo Fc of Guinea.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer on Twitter @bittar32, Contact bi****@ol*.net and African News.