Sports
Sierra Leonean Keeper Wants To Break Barriers
A young Sierra Leonean goalkeeper, who dreams of playing in the English Premier League, says it is much easier for an outfield African player to make it in Europe than it is for a goalkeeper.
Al Hadji Sesay recently signed a professional football contract with English championship side Bristol City, and the 19 year-old believes that a lack of prominent African goalkeepers in European leagues has made it difficult for younger players to be recognised.
“It’s been tough for someone like me who is from Africa to come to a championship club,” said Sesay who was spotted by Bristol City while playing for a social club in London.
“Deeply inside it worries me a lot. There was a time when I thought I was not going to make it.”
Sesay’s journey to the top has been like that of many other young African players.
He started his career in Sierra Leone with Kallon FC, a team owned by former Sierra Leone and Inter Milan star, Mohammed Kallon.
He then moved to London to join his mother who wanted him to work in a shop and help out with family expenses rather than pursue a football career.
Sesay impressed the Bristol City scouts and earned himself a two-year contract with Lee Johnson’s team as he chases his dream to play in the Premier League and the European Champions League, but he argues that it is harder if you play in goal.
“There are black goalkeepers in other leagues but in the Premier League there are no black African goalkeepers.
“I am always thinking, am I going to make it or not,” Sesay said.
Despite the difficulties, he says his mother is now on board with his chosen career and has become a big fan.
“Everything has changed. When I came to this country my mother wanted me to work to help her.
She wanted me to work for a Nigerian shop which sells African food. I went there for one day and said I am not doing that,” said Sesay.
“When she found out that Bristol City wanted to sign me she was so happy. Now I take care of her and everything is good.”
Sesay is yet to make his first team debut for Bristol City but trains with the first team while playing regularly for the under 23 side.
Other African goalkeepers in Europe include Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama who plays for Ligue 1 side Lille, Cameroon’s Andre Onana who is with Ajax Amsterdam, Morocco’s Yassine Bounou of Spanish La Liga side Girona and Nigeria’s Carl Ikeme of English Championship side Wolves.
Sesay says the Brazilian goalkeeper Marcos and former Spain and Real Madrid star Iker Casillas are his main inspiration and that his dream is to follow in the footsteps of his idols and win the European Champions League and the World Cup despite the difficult road ahead.
Sesay has a chance of realising his dream of becoming a Premier League player if Bristol City can clinch promotion at the end of the season.
Sports
Amusan places third in Diamond League opener
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
Sports
Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Sports
Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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