by FSL News | 10 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
By Ishmail Saidu Kanu in Hawassa, Ethiopia – © SWASAL with support from the Ministry of Sports
Sierra Leone coach John Keister has expressed his dissatisfaction over the lacklustre performance of his ‘experienced’ and ‘senior’ players after Sunday’s defeat.
The Leone Stars suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Walias of Ethiopia in the 2019 AFCON Qualifiers on Sunday at the Hawassa International Stadium.
Ethiopia’s Captain Getaneh Kedebe Gibeto scored the only goal of the match after Leone Stars conceded a penalty in the 35th minutes courtesy of Yeami Dunia.
The West African team performed below expectation leaving Sierra Leoneans both in Ethiopia and at home in a disappointing mood.
Speaking during the post-match Press Conference, John Keister said he was disappointed at the performance of the team giving a bigger share of the blame to the ‘experienced’ players.
“I don’t think the bigger and experienced players performed at all…and that’s my disappointment. We just have to go back and work as hard as we can…try and get the right players back in and take it from there”, the 48-year old noted.
He commended the Ethiopians for their exceptional performance on match day 2 while expressing determination ahead of their match with Ghana in a month’s time.
Ethiopian Manager Abraham Mebratu expressed his delight after securing the three points in his first competitive match as Head Coach of the 1962 Champions.
All four teams in Group F have three points each, leaving the group wide open.
The Sierra Leone Delegation will depart for Freetown on Monday 10th September. 2018.
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by FSL News | 9 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The Walias of Ethiopia revived their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone at the Hawassa Stadium on Sunday.
Ethiopian Premier League striker Getaneh Kebede converted a spot kick in 35 minutes to give the host team a deserving lead.
Tunisia referee, Sadok Selmi awarded a penalty to the Ethiopians after Ahmed Reshid fouled in the box.
As a result, the Walias now back in contention with all four teams now on three points from two matches in Group F.
The host team undoubtedly enjoyed the better share of play and dictated terms but their decision making in the final third was poor.
Sierra Leone tried to fight back before the break but entered the halftime a goal down.
The Ethiopians came out in the second half in high spirit, but their shooting in front of goal was poor as they failed to add to their goal tally.
John Kamara, who was introduced replacing Sint Truiden attacker Mohamed Buya attacker Turay, came very close to get the equalizer for Sierra Leone in 67th minutes.
Sierra Leone away drought continued – their last away win comes on the 08 September 2002 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations Group 7 qualifiers.
Ghana still top of the group with Leone Stars now third behind Kenya.
Sierra Leone next match is against Ghana Black Stars in October 2018 while Ethiopia host Kenya in another crucial contest.
Sierra Leone Coach John Keister:
“I don’t think the bigger and experienced players performed at all.”
“That’s my disappointment. We just have to go back and work as hard as we can.”
“I am going to do my best to get the right players back in and take it from there.”
He commended the Ethiopians for their exceptional performance on matchday 2 while expressing determination ahead of their match with Ghana in a month’s time.
Ethiopian Manager Abraham Mebratu expressed his delight after securing the three points in his first competitive match as Head Coach of the 1962 Champions.
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Ethiopia beat Sierra Leone the away drought still on
#QAFCON2019 Group F standings
by FSL News | 8 Sep, 2018 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News
Vancouver Whitecaps attacker Kei Kamara and Panetolikos new acquisition Alhassan Crespo Kamara, are expected to lead the Sierra Leone attack in Ethiopia on Sunday in Hawassa, Football Sierra Leone understands.
Inform Sint Truiden striker Mohamed Buya Turay, who scored on his debut in their 1-1 draw against Lokeren in August will make his Sierra Leone debut.
Buya, 23, was also part of the Leone Stars team that defeated Kenya in June 2017 but was named on the bench.
Bristol City young Sierra Leonean goalkeeper, who is dreaming of playing in the English Premier League, will be named on the bench.
Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations Group F 2019 Matchday Two encounter between host Ethiopia and Sierra Leone is vital for both nations in the race to the continental big stage in Cameroon next year.
Coach Keister is going with David Simbo and Alie Sesay in central defence in the absence of FC Zurich defender Umaru Bangura.
Mohamed Medo Kamara and Alfred Sankoh to play in midfield.
Here is the Leone Stars predicted XI:
Keeper Zombo Morris
Defenders: Hassan Milla, David Simbo, Alie Sesay, Yeami Dunia
Midfielders: Medo Kamara, Alfred Sankoh, Kwame Quee
Strikers: Kei Kamara, Alhassan Kamara, M Buya Turay
Subs: Goalkeeper: Alhaji Sesay
Defenders: Abu Suma, Osman Kakay (QRR, England)
Midfielders
Michael Lahoud FC Cincinnati, USA), (John Kamara FC Kaisar Kazakhstan), Julius Wobay Unattached).
Attackers
Sheka Fofanah Al-Nasr Oman, Christian Moses Viborg FF Danmark.
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by FSL News | 7 Sep, 2018 | African News
Sierra Leone Under 17 team Sierra Stars, has arrived in Senegal’s capital, Dakar for the 2018 West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone A football qualifiers.
A 29-man delegation headed by Ali Badara Tarawallie departed Freetown this afternoon via Mauritania airlines.
For the first time since 2012 Sierra Leone U17 team are expected to take part in the qualifiers after a mandatory scheduled MRI test on Saturday.
The team will have its Mandatory MRI test at the IMODSEN medical centre in Dakar between 9 am and 1400 hrs.
Newly appointed Coach Tito Cole first task is against Guinea Bissau on the 11th of September 2018 before the cracker with hosts Senegal two days later.
Meanwhile, the defending African champions Mali are in Group B alongside Liberia and Gambia.
Group C teams are Guinea, Mauritania and Cape Verde.
The tournament will be played from the 9-18 September 2018 at the Alassane Djigo Stadium in Pikine (Dakar) and the newly built Stade Ngalandou Diouf in Rufisque.
The winner of each group and best runner-up qualifying for the last four.
The finalists will represent the Zone at next year’s Total U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania.
Coach Tito Cole’s Full Squad below.
Habid Kamara, Inbrahim Bangura, Donald Kamara, Mucarr Rahim, Derosime Ibrahim, Thomsa Sesay, Sankoh Ajay Moses, Mohammadu Lamin, Lamin M Kabba, Tolo Osman Bangura, Jonathan Buck, Patrick Bangura, Chernor M Jalloh, Alimamy Kamara, Masilika Yusif Conteh, Abubakarr Kanneh, Idrissa P. Conteh, Hassan Kamar, Sheku Sesay and Daniel K Komeh.
OFFICIALS: ALIE BADARA TARAWALIE – HEAD OF DELEGATION
ELMA KAMARA – SECRETARIAT STAFF, TITO COLE – HEAD COACH, FRANCIS ZAPPA KOROMA – ASST. Coach, JEFFERY KABIA – Goal Keeping Coach, JOSEPH PANI TOBY – Welfare Officer, BENJAMIN ASHLEY – Masseur
MARY S. THOMSON – Team Doctor and STOM KOROMA – MEDIA ATTACH.
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by FSL News | 7 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone will square off with Ethiopia in the 2019 Group F Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday in search of their first away win since 2002.
The Leone Stars, who will face off with the Ethiopians for the first time in history are also targeting a second straight win in the qualifiers.
Kick-off is at 16h00 EAT and the game is set to take place at the Hawassa International Stadium.
“We have been here for the last four days and we’re trying to get acclimatise, Coach Keister told Ethiopian based journalist Omna Taddele.
“We are here to be competitive. I do not want to be disrespectful but we want to get something from the game on Sunday.”
“The team will be coming out very positive and hopefully we get what we deserve,” Keister said.
When asked about the Kenya win, Keister added, “I do not want to go back to the Kenya victory but focusing on the Ethiopia game. We looking forward to this game with a very strong mentality. ”
Sierra Leone last away win comes on the 08 September 2002 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations Group 7 qualifiers.
Goals from Mamadou Bah 38′ Muwahid Sesay 46′ and Sidique Mansaray gave Leone Stars a 3-1 away victory.
Since then the national team have not managed another away victory in 16 years.
According to our sources from the team’s Hawassa based, the players are in high spirit, focused and ready.
Midfielder Alfred ‘Zagalo’ Sankoh and defender David Simbo joined the teams based yesterday.
Sint Truiden striker Mohamed Buya Turay, who scored on his debut in their 1-1 draw against Lokeren in August will join the rest of the squad today.
Potential debutant for Sierra Leone Queens Park Rangers defender, Osman Kakay a few days ago confirmed he is ready and very excited about the prospect of playing for Sierra Leone.
The likes of MLS based striker Kei Kamara, SC Kuwait Midfielder Mohamed Medo Kamara, Kazakhstan-based midfield enforcer John Kamara, as well as Panetolikos new acquisition striker Alhassan Crespo Kamara are all raring to go.
Twenty of the 21 players available will continue with their preparation this evening. Sierra Leone sitting second behind Ghana in Group F.
The Ethiopians, on the other hand, are desperate to upset Sierra Leone.
Coach Abraham Mebratu is hopeful despite going into Sunday’s crucial qualifier with some notable absentees.
“I promise to give 100 percent to the Ethiopian national team. Nonetheless, a national team coach could not do the job all by himself so I need to support of all the stakeholders,” the former Yemen coach added.
Keeper Abel Mamo, playmaker Tafese Solomon and defender Addis Tesfaye are all unavailable. However, Ethiopian U-20 national side custodian Tsion Merede is a surprise inclusion.
Veteran forward Getaneh Kebede and experienced duo, Behailu Assefa and Samson Assefa are all in the squad to face Sierra Leone.
The Ethiopians are pointless after their opening 5-0 thumping in Kumasi, Ghana in June 2017 while Sierra Leone defeats Kenya 2-1 in Freetown.
Kenya host Ghana in the other Group F match also on Sunday in Nairobi.
Cameroon 2019 Group F standings
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -