by FSL News | 7 Jun, 2021 | Players Abroad News, Sport News
South Georgia Tormenta FC has handed Sierra Leone youth international Rodney Michael his first professional USL League One roster spot.
He impressed Tormenta FC 2 coaching staff, proving he’s ready for professional football.
The attacking talent who was named Tormenta FC 2 Player of the Month for May, helped the team rise to the top of the Deep South Division standings.
He scored five goals scored, including two braces, over five matches with Tormenta FC 2 and has earned League Two Goal of the Week honours and a No. 10 spot in the inaugural League Two top prospects list.
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.
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by FSL News | 6 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
The newly elected President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, Thomas Daddy Brima, must rally every meaningful Sierra Leonean to join hands with him and his team to change the present narratives of the country’s football.
Brima, who was elected on Saturday at the Wusum hotel in Makeni, will serve a four-year term. He is a renowned businessman and Chairman of Western Area-based second division club Lumley Striker and has been in football management for a little over a decade.
He won 31 votes to overcome his rival Saddick Deen-Nyarkoh, who achieved 26 ballots. He will replace the outgoing Fifa Council member Isha Johansen, who has been in power since elected unopposed in August 2013.
FIFA Observer Solomon Mudege, who was in attendance, commended delegates for their high level of civility, peace and transparency displayed throughout the process. He assured of FIFA’s continued support to help develop Sierra Leone’s football infrastructure.
“Healing all wounds and planning to develop the present poor state of the country’s football must be top of the agenda for the new SLFA executive,” Samuel Deen expressed deep concern.
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by FSL News | 4 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
The latest development on the Sierra Leone Football Association presidential race is that bookies favourite hot contender, Rodney Michael, will not be contesting Saturday’s elective congress at the Wusum hotel in Makeni.
Michael, who was successfully ‘cleared’ by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) to contest, has confirmed his withdrawal.
“With the elections only 48 hours after the decision of CÀS, I have found it extremely difficult to cope with the emotional, mental and physical stress to be able to campaign extensively and adequately for such an election,” Michael noted in his statement.
“It is, therefore, with deep regret that I inform you all of my decision to withdraw from the SLFA ELECTIONS 2021. I plead with you for forgiveness and understanding, and once more appeal for your support for this decision will always remain a difficult decision. I will forever be indebted to all of you and to Sierra Leone.”
He told this medium yesterday that he will be deciding in 24 hours after extensive consultation.
His final verdict is clear, as the race is now between Sadick Deen-Nyarkoh, Thomas Daddy Brima for Saturday’s SLFA elective congress in Makeni.
by FSL News | 3 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sport News
Rodney Michael has been successfully ‘cleared’ by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) to contest as a presidential candidate but says he will decide in 24 hours after extensive consultation.
The seasoned football administrator, who was disqualified by the SLFA Ethics board, told this medium he needs time to decide his position despite the top sport’s legal body has overturned in his favour.
Cas decision came two days after Incumbent Isha Johansen’s withdrawal. As a result, Rodney Michael, when decided, will join Sadick Deen-Nyarkoh, Thomas Daddy Brima set for Saturday’s SLFA elective congress in Makeni.
“The CAS decision is victory in the war against injustice and impunity after nine years of injustice,” Rodney vehemently told FSL UK.
“It is a victory for all Sierra Leoneans and an opportunity for a paradigm shift.
It is a relief, finally. I will decide in the next 24 hours if I will be contesting the elections or not after extensive consultation.”
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has partially upheld the appeal filed by Rodney Michael against the decision rendered on 25 March 2021 by the Ethics Board of the Sierra Leone Football Association,” Cas statement reads.
In delivering the ruling on Thursday, Cas said: “It found that there was no concrete evidence that Rodney Michael was in breach of the ethics regulations at this time. The sanctions which have been upheld by CAS are of minor importance and do not affect the status of Roney Michael to participate in the forthcoming presidential elections.”
Saturday’s SLFA’s elective congress will be the first in almost eight years ago since Incumbent Isha Johansen assumed office on August 3 2013.
Rodney Michael remains the most revered and popular football administrator in the country.
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by FSL News | 3 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
Sierra Leone John Keister on Wednesday urged fans to rally behind Leone Stars in the upcoming African Cup of Nations June 14 decider against Benin.
The Manchester-born, who also admitted he faced hindrance ahead of this month final qualifier, confirmed the majority of his squad are foreign-based.
Since taking charge, Keister still in search of his first win as Sierra Leone head coach. Defeating Benin will be more than a victory as the country will be making its third appearance on the continental stage in its history.
He called on fans to keep supporting and be positive as always. “We are team Sierra Leone,” he reminded all.
The Leone Stars must win to reach the tournament for the first time in 25 years, but without a doubt, the Squirrels of Benin in their way.
Only a win will end the West African Nation Afcon drought, and coach Keister is fully aware nothing less will be enough.
“I want the fans to know we need a few clarifications from CAF. Whilst is a little frustrating with preparations and travelling arrangements for players when we are still waiting for definite answers,” he explained on his Facebook page.
Fans have been concern about the delay in the squad list, but Keister maintained his groundwork kickstart on Monday.
“I have been reading concerns going into one of the most important matches in the last 20 or so years. We will start preparations on Monday. By then, we would have had most of the players available amid end to their seasons in various countries.”
Keister says home-based training sessions have been difficult to organise due to the ongoing league season but confirmed 80% of his squad coming from overseas.
Football pundits, fans are still waiting on his rebuilding promise he made after reappointed for his second spell in August 2020.
Twenty-three teams already qualified, and the winner between Sierra Leone and Benin will take the final spot to complete the 24 nations.
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