Wrap-up: Chalobah nets on debut, Kaikai, Kakay sides register wins

Wrap-up: Chalobah nets on debut, Kaikai, Kakay sides register wins

Sierra Leone-born Trevoh Chalobah scored on his debut as Chelsea showed their Premier League title credentials with 3-0 over Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace.

Chalobah, 22, smashed home their third from 25 yards on his Premier League debut in front of a noisy Stamford Bridge.

“He scored a fantastic goal, and we are all so happy for him. It’s amazing how these things work out in football. It was very enjoyable and well-deserved,” Tuchel on Chalobah.

CHAMPIONSHIP. MATCHDAY 2

Queens Park Rangers enjoyed a 3-0 away Sky Bet Championship triumph at the MKM Stadium as goals from Chris Willock, Lyndon Dykes and Rob Dickie completed a comprehensive Mark Warburton’s first win of the season.

  • Right-back Fankaty Dabo was in action in 1-0 defeat to Barnsley as the home side welcomed their fans back to Oakwell with a home win over Coventry City. Dominik Frieser scored the only goal of the game.
  • Sierra Leonean natives Sorba Thomas and Josh Koroma were in action as Fulham thrashed Huddersfield 5-1 to move top of the early season Championship table.

League One

  • Wycombe Wanderers registered a back to back in their opening two English League One matches of the new season.

Wycombe defeated Cheltenham Town 3-1 with a goal from Sam Vokes and a brace for Oliver Pendlebury. 

Sullay Kaikai started his first for the club from the right wing-back while Anis Mehmeti lined up behind Sam Vokes.

The Sierra Leone winger played 74th minute of the contest before he was subbed off. 

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, John Bangura.

Fankaty Dabo features in Coventry City opening win over Forest

Fankaty Dabo features in Coventry City opening win over Forest

Sierra Leone native Fankaty Dabo played the full throttle of the game as Coventry City defeated Nottingham Forest 2-1 in their Championship opener on Sunday at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

The Sky Blues captain Kyle McFadzean scrambled in a late winner as they sensationally came from behind to overcome their visitors.

Forest took the lead through Lyle Taylor’s first-half strike fired, but the host rallied twice second half to ensure they start their campaign with a win.

Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres 81st-minute equaliser spark the beginning of their comeback before Kyle McFadzean finally gave them the much need lead to send fans into ecstasy.

Dabo has been an established right-back earning plaudit for his impressive performances. 

He was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year and won the Sky Blues 2019/20 Player of the Season as they secured the League One title to return to the Championship.

Next Saturday, they will be away to Barnsley at the Oakwell Stadium.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net

Amadou Bakayoko nets for Bolton in season opener

Amadou Bakayoko nets for Bolton in season opener

Striker Amadou Bakayoko scored his first for his new club to open his Sky bet League One season account in the 67th minutes assisted by Declan John. However, it was Alex Baptise last-gasp equaliser for Wanderers that served the home side.

A thrilling 3-3 draw against MK Dons in their first game of the new season.

Mo Eisa had put the visitors ahead in the 22nd-minute with his first goal for his new club. The former Peterborough striker also set up a great chance for Troy Parrott, who almost doubled their lead.

Midfielder Josh Sheehan and new signing Bakoyoko scored in the 30th and 67th minute respectively to give the home side lead before MK Dons leveller from Scott Twine. A brilliant 71st-minute free-kick to make it 2-2.

After Boateng put the visitors ahead, it looks as if they will be taking home all three points, but Baptiste came to Bolton’s rescue with his first goal since January 2014.

The 25-year-old started his career at Walsall’s academy to make their first team before spells with AFC Telford United, Southport and Worcester City.

Elsewhere, Sullay Kaikai’s Wycombe Wanders beat Accrington Stanley 2-1, but the Sierra Leone international was an unused substitute.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net

Thomas Tuchel hails Sierra Leone born Trevoh Chalobah

Thomas Tuchel hails Sierra Leone born Trevoh Chalobah

Thomas Tuchel says young defender Trevoh Chalobah has been impressive since returning from his loan spell in France.

The German was given his verdict to the club’s website on individual players ahead of whittling his squad down to a manageable number for the coming season.

Chalobah, who made 29 appearances for Ligue 1 side Lorient took his opportunity well early in pre-season and retained his place as the more senior players returning.

He showed agility and maturity during the club matches in The Mind Series against the Gunners and Spurs. But competition in the team is only getting tougher as more players arrive back at Cobham from holiday. 

“I knew him of course from Lorient, and Chalo did very well in the pre-season,’ Tuchel told the club’s website. “We wanted to continue with the back three, so there was some space in the back until Zouma and Toni arrived, and now there was one space left.”

“With the arrival of Thiago, Andreas, Reece, and Azpi, there’s huge competition for him, but he did very well in both games. Now, and it’s within his potential and his limits. It was nice to see, and it was a good match for him.”

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net

Busy season ahead of Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay

Busy season ahead of Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay

Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay is relishing a busy season combining the English Championship, EFL Cup and next year’s 2021 African Cup of Nations.

Kakay, 23, English Championship side Queens Park Rangers will kick-off their new campaign against Millwall at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Saturday before taking on Leyton Orient in the EFL cup on Wednesday.

QPR finished strongly last season, winning five of their last six games, and they look a decent side during preseason matches against Manchester United, Cambridge United and Leicester City. 

The right-back has been a key player under boss Mark Warburton after he featured in 29 games in all competition last season.

Speaking ahead of their season opener, Kakay is excited and ready to go. “Preseason has been good. I am feeling fit, strong, and ready for the upcoming season,” Kakay to FSL News UK.

“We had a good preseason, and I played in all three of our test games, including the 4-2 win against Manchester United. I am raring to go. I want to continue where I left off last season as an established player for my club and country.”

“I am full of confidence after the qualification to the Nations Cup. I want to be in the best form possible. So, I can’t wait to start.”

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, John Bangura.

Mustapha Bundu named on the bench for Anderlecht tie in Albania

Mustapha Bundu named on the bench for Anderlecht tie in Albania

Mustapha Bundu has been named on the bench for Anderlecht Thursday’s inaugural Europa Conference League play-offs against Albanian club Laçi at the Elbasan Arena.

The UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round draw was conducted at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, on Monday, 2nd August.

Bundu, 24, played in the last 15 minutes of their home-opening pro-league 3-1 defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise on Sunday, July 25, July 15, but was left out of their next 1-1 draw with KAS Eupen the following Saturday.

The Sierra Leone international will be hoping he can play some part to impress the Belgian top-tier side technical and has not been a regular since his move from AGF on 7 August 2020.

The Belgian Jupiler pro side must overcome their Albanian counterparts in the doubleheader. The first leg is slated for 5th August in Albanian before the second leg on the 12th in Brussels.

A win for Anderlecht will set up a potential meeting with Dutch outfit Vitesse or Dundalk FC in the last preliminary round.

The first leg of the final preliminary round will then be played on August 19 in Brussels, and the return leg away on August 26.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer John Bangura.