by FSL News | 14 Oct, 2020 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
- Having lost 2-1 in the first friendly game behind closed doors at the Stade Cheikha Boydie, Nouakchott Mauritania on Friday, John Keister’s men suffered another 1-0 second successive defeat – this time at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey.
Both matches are in preparation for the three-time African champions Nigeria, who played 1-1 with Tunisia in their friendly on Tuesday.
Sierra Leone has only won once in their last six matches. Their last victory was against Liberia in a World Cup qualifying match in Freetown back in September 2019.
Head coach John Keister has been presented with a big task at hand to rally his troops for Nigeria in next month’s 2022 race to Cameroon.
Nigeria will host Sierra Leone at the 22,000 seated Stephen Keshi stadium when the qualifiers for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations next month before travelling to Freetown for the return fixture to be played at the Freetown Siaka Steven Stadium.
The Super Eagles are leading Group L after their opening two victories against Benin and Lesotho. The Squirrels of the Benin Republic standing second followed by Lesotho.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 11 Oct, 2020 | Players Abroad News, Sport News
- Former Sierra Leone first-choice goalie Christian Caulker has admitted that his door still open for a Leone Stars return.
- Caulker, who plays for Maryland Bobcats in the USA, was among 15 players and officials suspended indefinitely by the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) over allegations of match-fixing in July 2014.
Six-year on, he has maintained his innocent and has been waiting on the final findings of the investigation.
Speaking to FSL UK, Caulker acknowledged that the present situation is out of his hands, but he is a son of the soil, who will let bygone be bygone.
“It’s obvious, certain issues would need to be addressed before any possibility of my return to Sierra Leone A team but I’m devoted, ready to save my country at any given time.”
“It has been stressful the allegation of match-fixing, but I know I am not guilty, so if my country needs me, why not?”
“Representing my country again will be an honour as always.”
His last appearance for the Leone Stars was in 2013 in a 2-1 defeat away to Tunisia during the World Cup Qualifiers.
Before his suspension, Caulker, 31, has played 20 times for Leone Stars including a goalless draw with South Africa in 2008, the match was part of the match-fixing inquiry.
Meanwhile, Mauritania defeated Sierra Leone 2-1 in an International friendly at the Cheikha Boïdiya, Nouakchott on friendly.
The Leone Stars will continue their preparation against Niger on Tuesday ahead of the doubleheader against Nigeria next month.
Christian Caulker makes Maryland bobcats debut
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 10 Oct, 2020 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
Attacking midfielder Hassan Milla Koroma enjoyed a dream Sierra Leone debut in 2-1 friendly defeat behind closed doors at the Stade Cheikha Boydie, Nouakchott Mauritania on Friday.
The match was Sierra Leone first since 1-0 defeat in Benin in Matchday two of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers back in November 2019.
The visitors started slowly, they conceded after a poor defensive display, but John Keister’s men regroup showed some resilient just before their equaliser.
The FC Kallon midfielder scored his first International goal to draw the game level in the 30-minutes after the host opener from Amadou Niass in the 20-minutes.
Although they lost their momentum after the break and were unable to continue with the type of football that brought them their equaliser. However, there was some individual display especially from another debutant, Orebro SK left-back Kevin Wright and keeper Mohamed Kamara, who has been out of action for almost ten months.
The North West Africans ranked 100th 19 places above their visitors in the world, will be delighted to have kept their opponents at bay in the second half until substituted Hemeya Tanjy condemned their visitors to defeat.
Sierra Leone will travel to Niger for another warm-up match on Tuesday at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché ahead of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying next month.
#Mauritania #SierraLeone MatchDay LineUp. Kickoff 17hrs GMT Stade Cheikha Boydie, Nouakchott Mauritania.Debut for Kevin Wright as Musa Noah aka Tombo leads the line
Slået op af Alie Bittar i Fredag den 9. oktober 2020
Match Highlights Below!
by FSL News | 8 Oct, 2020 | African News, Sport News
- Kevin Wright is set to make his international debut for Sierra Leone on Friday.
- The former Chelsea academy graduate says playing for Sierra Leone for the first time is a challenge and opportunity he is relishing.
- Wright, 24, is presently in Nouakchott Mauritania as one of three new faces named for the first national assignment.
- Leone Stars take on Mauritania on October 9 at the Stade Olympique (Nouakchott) in preparation for next months’ doubleheader against Group L leaders Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The Mauritanians were runner-ups during the 1995 Amilcar Cabral Cup, after losing to Sierra Leone on penalties.
They played in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history.
Wright joined Premier League giants Chelsea at aged 11 and worked his way through the youth ranks to earn his first professional deal at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2013.
He was part of Chelsea‘s academy in 2005 and went on to play for the club’s development squad between 2014 and 2016 before his departure.
Presently trading with Örebro in the Swedish Allsvenskan, the former Fredrikstad defender has been a pivotal figure since his move to the Orebro-based side.
“I’m excited because this is a new opportunity and a new challenge, one I am looking forward to,” Wright told FSL UK from Nouakchott.
“After a long time thinking of Sierra Leone, I think this is the right time for me to present the birth country of my parents. Hopefully, we can achieve a positive result together in moving forward.”
“I am in good form in Sweden having a good season. I hope to bring that, to the Leone Stars.”
Wright confirmed his connection with Sierra Leone, “I was born in London with both of my parents from Sierra Leone.”
He has played in 20 matches for the in Swedish Allsvenskan side this season and was part of Orebro’s 3-2 win over IF Elfborg on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone completed their first training in Mauritania with 19 local stars with six foreign-based after their safe arrival with a 42-man delegation including Sports Minister Ibrahim Nyelenkeh.
After Mauritania, the team will travel to Niger for their second friendly test on Tuesday 13th October at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché de Niamey (SGSK).
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 5 Oct, 2020 | African News, Sport News
- Head coach John Keister will miss the services of five of the thirteen players invited for the test in Nouakchott, Mauritania and Niger.
- Finland-based duo Rodney Strasser, Mohamed Medo Kamara, Iceland-based winger Kwame Quee, USL Championship joint top scorer Augustus Williams and Reggiana striker Augustus Kargbo have all confirmed their unavailability.
- China-based striker Mohamed Buya Turay and Randers FC attacker Alhaji Kamara not available to comment.
Strasser on self-isolation after his TPS club announced on Thursday, October 1st that one of its players has been tested positive for covid-19.
As a result, their Friday match was called-off as all players must adhere to the quarantine, health and safety rules.
“TPS Veikkausliiga team have one Corona infected player,” the club announced.
LA Galaxy II in-form striker Augustine Williams is unavailable due to club commitment but may join the John Keister’s side for the second test with Niger on October 13th.
Italy-based striker Augustus Kargbo will not be available for both matches due to 14 days return self-isolation.
Meanwhile, Queens Park Rangers right-back Osman Kakay, former Chelsea academy graduate, Orebro SK left-back Kevin Wright, Zire centre back Alie Sesay, defensive midfielder John Kamara and skipper Umaru Bangura have confirmed their availability.
Real Balompédica winger, 20-year-old Alhassan Koroma has confirmed he will be part of both matches presently on his way to Madrid Capital en-route Mauritania.
Koroma was part of the Sierra Leone side against Iran during the friendly in Tehran March 17, 2018, and was part of the Sierra Leone U20 side during the WAFU tournament in Liberia.
Sierra Leone will also take on the Ménas of Niger on the 13 th as both matches will serve as preparation for Nigeria in November.
Leone Stars last match was a 1-0 defeat to the Squirrels of Benin in Matchday two of the African Cup of Nations Qualifiers in November 2019.
List of the Foreign-based players confirmed to FSL News!
Defenders
Skipper Umaru Bangura FC Zurich, Alie Sesay FC Zire Azerbaijan, Kevin Wright Orebro SK Sweden, Osman Kakay Queen Park Rangers England.
Midfielder
John Kamara Keshla FK Azerbaijan
Attacker
Alhassan Koroma Real Balompédica Linense
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
Sierra Leone | Highlights -