FSL News, Author at Football Sierra Leone

Rodney Michael excited about pro debut with Tormenta

by FSL News | 20 Jun, 2021 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

South Georgia Tormenta FC new acquisition Rodney Michael has expressed his delight after coming on for his debut in their 3-1 win over Greenville Triumph SC on Saturday.

Michael’s side dominated the USL League One defending champions Greenville Triumph at Erk Russell Park.

Goals from Lars Eckenrode, Nick O’Callaghan and Marco Micaletto were enough as they held to a good victory.

“It means a lot. It has always been my dream to play professional football,” Michael told FSL News.

“I’ve been working towards this dream since I was 11 years old at the Craig Bellamy Foundation. It felt amazing to see that dream become a reality as I made my pro debut.”

The Sierra Leone youth international was introduced in the last 34 min to mark his professional debut.

During his three seasons at the University of California Santa Barbara, he scored 23 goals and recorded 15 assists in 58 starts. In 2019, Michael helped UC Santa Barbara advance to the NCAA Soccer Quarterfinal Championships.

He was part of the Sierra Leone U20 side during the doubleheader of the African Cup of Nations U20 2019 qualifiers against Guinea Bissau.

HIGHLIGHTS | #TRMvGVL | 2021 USL League One Season

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Sierra Leone Premier League suspended indefinitely

by FSL News | 19 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Hopes that the Sierra Leone Premier League season 2021/2022 will continue steadfast growth has been dashed as the league’s management have confirmed suspending football indefinitely.

With six months to the 2022 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, this latest development can upset local player’s determination to break into the National team.

The Premier League board says it has resolved to postpone the ongoing season indefinitely following a meeting with club officials in response to the latest media release from the National Covid-19 Emergency Response Center.

NaCOVERC, in a communique to the National Sports Authority, confirmed that all designated activities and competitions must go on behind closed doors without spectators.

As a result, the season will run behind schedule as club officials cannot accept playing football without the proceeds due to financial constraints.

East End Lions 1-0 win over Republic of Sierra Leone arm forces and Anti-Drugs home win over Wusum Stars on Thursday were the final two matches before the suspension.

Big spenders Bo Rangers leading the table with 18 points from their opening nine matches winning six and three defeats.

Meanwhile, the Premier League board has said they intend to engage the health authorities through the Sierra Leone Football Association, NSA and Ministry of Sports to rethink its decision.

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

Persebaya sign Sierra Leone defender Alie Sesay

by FSL News | 17 Jun, 2021 | Players Abroad News, Sport News

Indonesian football team Persebaya Surabaya have signed former Leicester City defender Alie Sesay on a 24-month deal.

The 26-year-old Sierra Leone international came through Leicester’s academy before joining Colchester United on loan in 2014.

On 14 January 2020, Sesay joined Azerbaijan Premier League club Zira FK on an 18-month contract.

The former Arda Kardzhali defender has previously had loan spells at Colchester and Cambridge United.

“I’ve heard a lot about Indonesian football. Especially about the fanaticism of the fans. As a player, defending a club with such fantastic fans is the best experience. I’m happy to be here,” Sesay told the club website.

He made his Sierra Leone debut under coach Atto Mensah during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Cameroon on 11 October 2014.

He was in the 4-4 draw against Nigeria at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium for Benin City in November 2020.

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

Afcon qualification victory parade for Leone Stars

by FSL News | 16 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

After securing qualification to the African Cup of Nations, there is an organised victory parade for the Sierra Leone national team today June 16th from Calaba Town to the Freetown national stadium.

John Keister and his squad triumph 1-0 over Benin on Tuesday at the General Lansan Conte de Nongo stadium in Guinea to book their place in Cameroon.

President Julius Maada Bio, immediately after the win, expressed his satisfaction with the team fantastic display.

They departed Guinea to meet with hundreds of singing and dancing agog fans at the Guinea-Sierra Leone border.

Thousands of fans are expected to turn out for the parade to mark the team’s victory as they break the Afcon jinx after 25 years.

Sierra Leoneans at home are encouraged to join the National team at 4 pm at the Siaka Steven Stadium, where President Bio will address the delegation.

“The national team have made Sierra Leone proud, and we should come out in large numbers to welcome them and show our appreciation,” a government statement reads.

Sierra Leone qualified for the African Cup of Nations for the first time since 1996.

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

#TotalAFCON Here we come! pic.twitter.com/BlpSq6puXF

— AlieAhmed Bittar (@bittar32) June 15, 2021

President Bio congratulates Leone Stars after Afcon triumph

by FSL News | 15 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

President Julius Maada Bio has expressed his delight after Sierra Leone qualified to the African Cup of Nations for the first time since 1996.

The ‘tok and do’ president took to Twitter to send a message to the Leone Stars delegation in Guinea.

“Congratulations to Sierra Leone. We are a football-loving nation, and today, our boys have made history. My government is committed to promoting football and other sports disciplines,” he posted on his Twitter account.

Striker Kei Kamara Leone Stars scored the only goal of the match in the first half through the penalty spot as Sierra Leone secured a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1996, following a 1-0 victory over Benin at the Général Lansana Conté de Nongo in Guinea.

The former Minnesota United attacker converted from the spot after 19 minutes as coach John Keister men held on to a famous victory to join the other 23 teams at the finals in Cameroon in January.

In March, the president made a promise to the National team that he would give US$10,000 and parcel of land to each if they beat Benin to reach Cameroon.

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