by FSL News | 10 Oct, 2018 | Players Abroad News
Egypt-based midfielder Abdul Sama Mannah says he’s looking forward to Aluminium SC round of 32 Cup tie against Smouha on Thursday.
The tie will be played at the 86,000 seater Borg El-Arab Stadium in Cairo.
Last season Smouha, was the fifth best team in Egypt ended up 10 points adrift of Zamalek.
Mannah, 25, who signed for Aluminium SC in July, last year is eager to impress on the pitch.
“It’s going to be a difficult game but I am ready and looking forward to facing one of the biggest games in my career.”
“Smouha Sporting Club is one of the best clubs in Egypt,” Mannah told FSL.
“I’m excited because if we get through then there’s a possibility of getting a big tie in the next round so there is the added motivation of that, but we have to get the job done first.”
Mannah added, “To eliminate such big club like Smouha ii good for our confidence as a team and especially for our league matches.”
He has had spells with Mount Zion and Ghanaian side Medeamaa Sporting club before moving to Egypt.
Egypt Cup Round of 32 results and fixtures
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by FSL News | 10 Oct, 2018 | African News
The Harambee Stars of Kenya were held to a goalless draw by Ethiopia at the Bahir Dar National Stadium on Wednesday in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
They face each other again in the fourth round of their 2019 Afcon qualifiers in Kenya on October 14.
The Wallias saw more of the ball early on but struggled to break down the Kenyan defence and consequently, they had to shoot from long range with very little effect.
Getaneh Kebede, who scored against Sierra Leone probably came closest to break the deadlock midway through the first half, but the Ethiopian attacker saw his long-range effort skim the wrong side of the post.
Kenya played well as the half went on and started creating some scoring opportunities of their own but like the home opposition, their shooting was woeful.
Their best chance fell to Victor Wanyama five minutes before the break, but the Kenyan defensive midfielder saw his rather 20-yard timid shot well-saved by the keeper.
The second half saw Ethiopia pushing more players forward, but similar to the first half they were thwarted by a well-organised Kenyan defence.
In the end, neither team could find a goal as the match ended 0-0.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s African Nations Cup qualifier against Ghana was called off after the country’s FA failed to get a FIFA suspension lifted.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to comment on whether Ghana will be awarded a win for Thursday’s match or if Sierra Leone will be allowed to continue in the Nations Cup qualifying competition if and when they are reinstated by FIFA.
Squads
Ethiopia: Asefa, Mohamed, Tamene, Tesfaye, Ahmed, Panom, Bekele, Dawa (Yalew 87’), Demte (Okwury 66’), Mesfen (Maleko 82’), Kebede.
Kenya: Matasi, Mohammed, M Onyango, Khamis (O Otieno 55’), Omondi (Athuman 46’), Wanyama, Odhiambo, Otieno, Kahata (Were 74’), Olunga, Ochieng.
Afcon 2019 Group F standings
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by FSL News | 9 Oct, 2018 | African News
Sierra Leone’s African Nations Cup qualifier against Ghana has been called off after the country’s FA failed to get a FIFA suspension lifted.
Sierra Leone authorities, who had petitioned FIFA to get the ban lifted, did not meet a Tuesday deadline to reinstate ousted football association president Isha Johansen, who is under investigation of corruption-related charges.
“Our appeal has been rejected,” Sierra Leone Football Association president Brima Mazzola Kamara, who replaced Johansen, told Reuters.
Sierra Leone has three points from their opening two Nations Cup qualifiers.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to comment on whether Ghana will be awarded a win for Thursday’s match or if Sierra Leone will be allowed to continue in the Nations Cup qualifying competition if and when they are reinstated by FIFA.
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by FSL News | 9 Oct, 2018 | African News
Former France U-20 star goalkeeper Jonathan Ligali has pledged his international future to Benin, BBC Sports report.
The 27-year-old, who plays his club football in France for Montpellier, is eligible to play for the Squirrels because his mother is from Benin.
Under Fifa rules, he is free to switch because he has not yet played for France’s senior national team.
“Yes, I’m available to play for Benin if they call me,” he told BBC Sport.
“It would definitely be a great honour for me to represent the country of my mother.”
He denied some reports that he had previously turned down a chance to play for the West Africans in the past.
“Not really, no one has contacted me directly from the federation,” he added.
“Right now, if the federation reaches out to me then we can take the next level.”
Ligali represented France at under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels.
He played all seven matches as the French side finished fourth at the 2011 Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.
Born in Montpellier, Ligali began his youth career with his hometown side in 2003 and made his professional debut nine years later.
However, he has mainly been a second choice keeper and has only played 16 matches for the club.
He spent the 2017/18 season on loan at French third-tier side USL Dunkerque, making 30 appearances for the northern club.
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by FSL News | 9 Oct, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
FIFA have rebuffed the Sierra Leone Football Association’s request to lift the suspension of it soccer Association.
Following a meeting on Monday, Sierra Leone FA petitioned Fifa to lift the suspension that will allow it national team honour their Afcon qualifier against the Black Stars this week.
It could be recalled that the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone barred SLFA boss Isha Johansen and general secretary Christopher Kamara from office following investigated on corruption-related charges.
“The suspension will be lifted once the SLFA and its recognised leadership have confirmed to Fifa that the SLFA administration, premises, accounts and communication channels are under their control once again,” Fifa reiterated.
Fifa suspended Sierra Leone from international football last week because of alleged government interference in the running of the country’s football association.
If the ban is not lifted before 11 October, Sierra Leone’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Ghana will be cancelled. The return fixture is scheduled for 15 October.
Read related news…Fifa suspends Sierra Leone soccer Association
See Fifa’s letter
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