by FSL News | 30 Mar, 2021 | African News, Sport News
Tuesday’s Cup of Nations qualifier between Sierra Leone and Benin has been cancelled after five Benin players tested positive for covid-19.
The match was due to kick-off at 16hrs local time, but it has been confirmed that the Group L decider will not go ahead.
According to a report, the visitors contested the result and refused to leave their bus on arrival at the Siaka Steven Stadium.
Our sources have confirmed they were told to isolate all positive cases, but they have failed to follow protocols.
A few hours later, after the game had been called off, the SLFA named Dossou Jodri Harod Oluwafemi, Allagbe Kassifa Owolabi Frank Saturnin, Adenon Abdou Kalid Akiola, Ben Yohan Cedric Benjamin and Mounie Steve Michel Kevin as the affected players.
Sierra Leone needed to win at home to reach the tournament for the first time in 25 years. Benin needed only a draw.
One of them to join the already 23 qualified nations to compete in the finals in Cameroon next year to complete the lineup.
What happens next is entirely up to the Confederation of Africa Football body, CAF. However, we will keep our readers posted with developing news as we get them.
Meanwhile, it’s not the first time during this African Cup qualifying competition that travelling teams have cried foul over local authorities’ COVID-19 tests.
Kenya complained when four key players were ruled ineligible for a qualifier in Togo on Monday, also after test results were announced on the day of the game.
Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa said the players forced out of the game had all tested negative in Kenya days earlier.
The Benin-Sierra Leone cancellation was the second bizarre incident on the final day of qualifiers.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 30 Mar, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
-
Sierra Leone first team news for their Cup of Nations decider at the Siaka Steven Stadium against Benin this Tuesday afternoon.
Leone Stars coach John Keister has made one change with Bo Rangers winger Prince Barrie, who was impressive against Benin away, in place for Rodney Strasser for the cracker in Freetown.
Austria-based midfielder George Davies, Randers FC striker, who scored a brace against Nigeria, both named on the bench – all came into the side for the final qualifier – Kick-off 16:00 local time.
The match is expected to be stream live by Guinean media CIS medias.
The same back four against Lesotho at the Setsoto stadium has been trusted with the task against Benin.
Heavy-weight Kei Kamara will play alongside FC Linköping City striker Christian Moses who was impressive in defeat to Ethiopia at the Hawassa Stadium in September 2018.
In midfield, Alhassan Koroma, Medo Kamara, Kwame Quee, Prince Barrie with Keshla midfielder John Kamara named on the bench.
Coach John Keister’s is still in search of the first win in the race to Cameroon 2022.
Benin need a point from the game to secure qualification, while a victory for the Leone Stars will mean an automatic spot to the next Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Keeper – Mohamed Kamara
Defenders – Abu Bakaarr Samura, Kempson Fofanah, Yeami Dunia and Abdul R Conteh
In Midfield – Alhassan Koroma, Mohamed Medo Kamara, Kwame Quee, Prince Barrie
Attackers – Kei Kamara and Christian Moses
Subs: Unisa Conteh, Abdul Bundu, David Simbo, John Kamara, Alusine Koroma, Rodney Strasser, Alhaji Kamara, George Davies, Masalakie Bangura, Abu Dumbuya, Lamin Conteh.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 30 Mar, 2021 | African News, Sport News
- Malawi Flames secured second spot behind Burkina Faso in group B for their third AFCON finals after 1984 and 2010 appearances.
Baroka FC striker Richard Mbulu accounted for the only goal as Malawi beat Uganda 1-0 in their final qualifying match for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations to book a ticket.
Uganda only needed a draw from the game in Blantyre but failed thanks to Richard Mbulu’s 15th-minute goal.
Elsewhere, reigning African champions Algeria thrashed Botswana 5-0 at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium to extend their unbeaten run to 24 games as they finish top of Group H on Sunday.
FSL African Football News – Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 29 Mar, 2021 | African News, Sport News
- Michel Dussuyer’s squad wrapped up its final training session ahead on Tuesday decider at the Siaka Steven Stadium in their hunt to reach Cameroon 2022. (Photo credit FebefootOfficiel)
The Squirrels of Benin only need a draw to join the list of other nations already qualified.
Tuesday’s crunchy decider will the fourth meeting between the two nations in fifteen years.
In the last three meetings – they have defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 in 2006 at home, 2-0 in 2007 in Freetown, and a 1-0 win in November 2019.
Group L – Following a last-gasp winner, Nigeria qualified and Lesotho out of the race.
Benin (7 points) and Sierra Leone (4) both in the race. They go to war on Tuesday in Freetown.
A draw sees Benin through, while Sierra Leone needs a win to qualify.
Stade Brestois 29 striker Steve Michel Mounié in Sierra Leone
Midfielder Sessi D’Almeida looking focus
Benin final training session at the Siaka Steven Stadium on Monday
FSL African Football News – Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 28 Mar, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
- A new Afcon lifeline for Sierra Leone, but only a win against Benin at the Siaka Steven Stadium on Tuesday, at least with a goal, will be enough to break the continental jinx.
Sierra Leone destiny in their hands going into their final Group L encounter against Michel Dussuyer’s Squirrels.
Tuesday’s crunchy decider will the fourth meeting between the two nations in fifteen years.
In the last three meetings – they have defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 in 2006 at home, 2-0 in 2007 in Freetown, and a 1-0 win in November 2019.
In the process, the Squirrels scored five goals without conceding against Sierra Leone.
This is an opportunity not only to qualify but to beat the French-speaking West African nation for the first time since 2006.
A replica 1-0 win over Liberia in September 2019 during the World Cup preliminary when MLS legend Kei Kamara stunning finish ensure victory will be enough for the Leone Stars to book a ticket to the 33rd edition of the Afcon in Yaoundé Cameroon.
Without any exaggeration, Benin will be coming to take the game to Sierra Leone. They’ll want to score to increase the psychological pressure on the home team.
It is expected to be fast and furious, more so they are a force to reckon with in African Football. They eliminated Morocco in the round of sixteen and lost to Senegal in the quarter-finals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
A new era in the making, as Coach John Keister looks to register his name in the history book of Sierra Leone football since Swedish coach Roger Palmgren who won the 1995 Amílcar Cabral Cup before guided Sierra Leone to South Africa 1996 Afcon.
Group L – Following a last-gasp winner, Nigeria qualified and Lesotho out of the race.
Benin (7 points) and Sierra Leone (4) both in the race. They go to war in Freetown.
A draw sees Benin through, while Sierra Leone needs a win to qualify.
Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Zimbabwe have qualified, leaving seven places to be filled.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
Sierra Leone | Highlights -