Amadou Bakayoko makes Dundee debut in League Cup win

by FSL News | 31 Jul, 2023 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

Amadou Bakayoko makes Dundee debut in League Cup win

On Sunday, Sierra Leone International Amadou Bakayoko made his Dundee debut in their 1-0 win over Inverness CT in the Scottish Viaplay Cup qualifier.

Despite the win, they were knocked out of the Scottish Viaplay Cup at the Kilmac Stadium. Dundee’s Zach Robinson scored the winning goal after an hour.

The Dee’s new acquisition, Bakayoko, was introduced in the 46th minute to replace Scott Tiffoney. However, despite his presence, they were unable to find the second goal that would have taken them through to the last 16.

Bakayoko, however, thrilled the watch fans after his 18 yards shot that was saved by Ridgers prevented him from claiming a debut goal with a fierce rising shot.

The single-goal margin of victory meant the Dark Blues were pipped by Raith Rovers, who had the same goal difference but scored one more goal.

Inverness, who were already out of the running for the last 16, had been the better side for long spells and threatened through Billy Mckay and Austin Samuels.

THE DRAW FOR THE LAST 16 OF THE VIAPLAY CUP IS AS FOLLOWS:

Hibernian v Raith Rovers

Stirling Albion v Aberdeen

Airdrieonians v Ross County

St Mirren v Motherwell

Rangers v Greenock Morton

Kilmarnock v Celtic

Heart of Midlothian v Partick Thistle

Livingston v Ayr United

Ties are to be played the weekend of August 19/20 and are subject to TV selections.

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Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay raring to go

by FSL News | 30 Jul, 2023 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay raring to go

Sierra Leone International Osman Kakay returned to football action in July following his knee injury in March

Speaking to the Queen Parks Rangers website ahead of the 2023/24 season, Kakay has said the R’s squad are itching to get started as the countdown to the big kick-off continues.

“I can’t wait,” the R’s defender told www.qpr.co.uk. We’re all excited.

“It’s been a good pre-season. The boys have dug in well, and the gaffer has implemented the way he wants us to play. We’re all looking forward to getting cracking now.”

Pre-season has been particularly key for Kakay, who spent the end of 2022/23 on the sidelines after sustaining a season-ending injury in mid-March.

The 25-year-old has featured in each of our last two friendlies, is fighting fit once again and is determined to play his part this season.

“I’ve come out of my rehab well,” he said. “I feel much stronger.

Kakay will be hoping he is fit enough to start the English Championship campaign away to Watford on the 5th of August.

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

New boss Sebastian Bowles excited by Luawa challenge

by FSL News | 29 Jul, 2023 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

New boss Sebastian Bowles excited by Luawa challenge

British coach Sebastian Bowles has been speaking as head coach of Sierra Leone Premier side Luawa FC, on why he joined the project, building on the club’s achievement and his winning mentality.

Bowles is excited by the challenge presented to him at Luawa FC. CEO Luawa FC and Legal Practitioner Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai confirmed Bowles’s deal.

A holder of a UEFA A license with the Scottish FA will start his new task with the club hailing from the Eastern District of Kailahun. Luawa FC survived their first season in the top tier of the Sierra Leone football system after winning ten games from 34 matches.

“Indeed, I am excited as a winner who wanted to win everything possible that was why I chose the Luawa FC position ahead of several other opportunities because I was very interested in the project that Mr. Abdulai presented,” Bowless to Football Sierra Leone.

“It’s imperative during the preseason in September to start implementing the winning mentality. I am looking forward to meeting the staff. I’ll arrive two weeks before the commencement of preseason.

The former Haka U20 boss confirmed heading the Luawa Academy.

“As head coach of the First Team, I’ll be the Technical Director of the Luawa Academy. I am looking forward to experiencing the Sierra Leone culture and people. Doing my very best to bring glory to our fans and the Kailahun community. I have heard a lot of good things about Sierra Leonean people and hospitality and am looking forward to experiencing it first hand.”

“Sierra Leone has been through a lot of turmoil in the past 20 years from Civil War, Ebola and Covid. There is much that we can do together to improve the daily lives of the youth of Sierra Leone and help them develop not just as footballers but as human beings as well.”

Bowles, who has been without a club since his contract expired as Manager with Swedish Second Division side Ytterhogdals IK in 2022, acknowledges lots of potential in Sierra Leone – with the correct investment and people, achievement can be acquired.

On his previous coaching experience

‘Another good experience that helped me grow and mature as a Coach. The team was located in the middle of the Swedish forest with only 400 people living there, so we were really isolated and the travelling time for away games was anything from 8h to 16h one way. It was a good experience in resilience and professionalism.

We managed to secure our League status with a very thin squad of 10-17 players only. So player fitness management, injury prevention and mental health were vital. Before Sweden, I had the privilege of coaching FC Hakas U20’s and U17’s Academy teams. I got to work with various elite prospects and helped them improve and develop into players for the First Team. After my success with U20, it was time for First Team Management.’

CEO Saffa noted, “Sebastian Bowles is well known as an attack-oriented coach with fluent ball possession, which makes his teams entertaining to watch and extremely hard to play against.”

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Striker Amadou Bakayoko pens Dundee loan deal

by FSL News | 28 Jul, 2023 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

Sierra Leone International Amadou Bakayoko has joined Scottish Premiership side Dundee Football Club on loan until the end of the season.

A new adventure for the striker The Dee as they prepare for their first season back in the top flight of Scotland following promotion last season.

“I am delighted to be able to come and play for this club in the Scottish Premiership, and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead,” the striker told the club’s website.

“I am looking forward to working with the manager and coaching staff. It is always nice to be wanted. I will give my best to the club the fans and myself.”

Bakayoko, 27, featured 19 times for Forest Green Rovers last season following his move from Bolton Wanderers in January.

Dundee manager Tony Docherty on his new acquisition, “Amadou is someone that we feel we have been monitoring all summer and was someone that came to our attention through our contacts down South. At 27, he is a player that is hungry. He did really well in terms of his overall play and goal scoring whilst at Coventry and Bolton.”

Amadou Bakayoko pens @DundeeFC loan deal

Sierra Leone International Amadou Bakayoko has joined Scottish Premiership side Dundee on loan until the end of the season.

A new adventure for the striker as The Dee prepare for their first season back in the top flight of Scotland. pic.twitter.com/058c6WXF3c
— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) July 28, 2023

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

Striker Amadou Bakayoko pens Dundee Football Club deal.

Nigeria stun co-hosts Australia to top Group B

by FSL News | 27 Jul, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Nigeria stunned Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after coming from behind to claim a 3-2 at Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, on Thursday.

As a result, they top Group B on goal difference but the same four points as rivals Canada who defeated the Republic of 2-1 on Wednesday.

The significant victory makes the Super Falcons the only African country to have so far claimed maximum points at the tournament.

Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala were the scorers as the Super Falcons claimed a thrilling 3-2 win over the tournament co-hosts.

Emily van Egmond scored the 50th goal of this Women’s World, but the West Africans equalised in the sixth minute of added time at the end of the first half.

Egmond gave Australia the lead, only for Nigeria to equalise before the half-time whistle and then score twice in the second half to secure victory in Group B. Alana Kennedy pulled one back for Australia but was too late as the Nigerians held on to the win.

The Nigerians will reach the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup if they avoid defeat against the Republic of Ireland on Monday.

Australia 2 – 3 Nigeria | Group B

Goal scorers: Emily van Egmond (45+1′); Uchenna Kanu (45+6′); Osinachi Ohale (65′); Asisat Oshoala (72′); Alanna Kennedy (90+10′)

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