by FSL News | 22 Mar, 2018 | Players Abroad News
Experienced former Sierra Leone international, Sheriff Suma, has been named the 2018 Atlanta Silverbacks team captain for the upcoming NPSL season.
Suma, 31, who won 30 caps for Sierra Leone, is relishing his new role ahead of the US National Premier Soccer League.
His last game for Sierra Leone was in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Chad in Nigeria Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium (Port Harcourt) – Sierra Leone won 2-1 but was eliminated from the preliminaries on 13 October 2015.
The veteran attacking left wing-back told club’s website: “This is a great club with a lot of history,” said Suma, “knowing the pressure that comes with putting on the red and black. “It’s a family here and that makes it feel like home already.”
He continued: “Our goal is to win the league this season and we’re working to get the team in good form right now. With my experience as a national team captain for Sierra Leone and plenty of experience with clubs in Europe, I feel that I can help the team compete.”
This will be his tenth professional clubs since he started trading his career 2005 – 2006 seasons with Swedish side Åtvidabergs FF, where he made 47 appearances scoring seven goals.
“He’s the most experienced player we’ve got,” said new head coach Roberto Neves. “Sheriff has captained the national team [for Sierra Leone], and he will be our captain this year.”
General Manager Phoday Dolleh told club’s website that ownership is very excited about the signing of Suma. “He brings plenty of experience, skill, and leadership ability to the team. Silverbacks fans have already seen a glimpse of Sheriff when he scored a bicycle kick goal in our first friendly.”
Atlanta continues the preseason with a friendly against AFC Mobile at Silverbacks Park on April 14th at 7:00 PM.
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by FSL News | 22 Mar, 2018 | Players Abroad News
Ibrahim Sorie Barrie says he is ambitious and to play professional football at the highest level remains the target.
Barrie, 21, who signed on loan from FC Kallon for Icelandic second-tier side Víkingur Ólafsvík, was the hero when Cameroon became the first big nation to be kicked out of the 2016 Olympic Games football qualifiers in Africa May 2015 in Yaoundé.
The versatile midfielder was the skipper of the Sierra Leone side and scored the goal in the 93rd minute that eliminated Cameroon.
Speaking exclusively to Football Sierra Leone on Thursday, Barrie hasn’t curtailed his ambition to reach the top.
The former Sierra Leone U23 skippered said: “I have always wanted to be a professional footballer and now I am ready for this new challenge.
“I’m an ambitious humble person and if God willing to play at the highest stage in the world football is the ultimate achievement.
“To be a professional player has always been my dream and I have to cope with all the terms now I’m in Iceland.
“One thing I have noticed is that the club and my teammates are all working towards success.
Barrie added: “Presently, I am working on first team spot that is my motive to be the coach first choice because I’m working hard with dedication.
The young prospect has earned over 4 caps with Sierra Leone.
Barrie’s Víkingur Ólafsvík relegated last season from the Úrvalsdeild top-flight league.
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by FSL News | 22 Mar, 2018 | African News
CAF Champions League record winners Al Ahly of Egypt will battle it out with Esperance of Tunis, debutants Uganda’s Kampala City (KCCA) and Botswana’s Township Rollers in Group A.
Top Congolese side TP Mazembe have been paired in Group B with two Algerian sides including former winners Algeria’s Entente Setif, Mouloudia Alger of Algeria and Difaa El Jadidi of Morocco.
The draw that was held in Cairo on Wednesday also put holders Wydad Casablanca of Morocco alongside another newcomer AS Port of Togo and Guinean top-flight side Horoya in Group C.
In the same group, Mamelodi Sundowns have a chance to settle a score with the reigning African champions Wydad Casablanca, who dethroned them in the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League last year.
In Group D, Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia will face Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto, Zesco United of Zambia, as well as newcomers Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland.
The group phases will kick off on the weekend of 6-8 May.
Champions League groups:
Group A: Al Ahly (Egypt), Township Rollers (Botswana), KCCA (Uganda), Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)
GROUP B: TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Mouloudia Alger (Algeria), Difaa El Jadidi (Morocco), Entente Setif (Algeria)
Group C: AS Port of Togo (Togo), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Horoya (Guinea)
Group D: Zesco United (Zambia), Primeiro de Agosto (Angola), Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia), Mbabane Swallows (Swaziland)
Caf also held draws for the Confederation Cup playoffs.
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by FSL News | 21 Mar, 2018 | African News
Super Eagles captain and former Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi is uncertain to play in Friday’s international friendly match between Nigeria and Poland in Wroclaw.
Obi, 30, uncertainty is due to not being able to renew his work permit to date and it is unlikely to get the issue resolved before Friday.
“We all had been hoping that the renewal would come in good time for him to fly to Poland. As it is now, it is not likely that he would make the trip,” revealed team administrator, Dayo Enebi.
The Tianjin Teda of China midfielder is a vital player for the Super Eagles.
The West African big guns were the first side from Africa to reach Russia.
Nigeria continues their impressive run of appearances at the finals, having missed only one tournament – Germany 2006 – since qualifying for their debut in 1994.
22 players, we understand have arrived the Super Eagles’ Radisson Blu Hotel camp in Wroclaw.
The match kicks off at 8.45pm (Nigeria and Poland are on same time zone) on Friday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria are in Group D at the FIFA World Cup alongside Argentina, Iceland, and Croatia
They open their world cup 2018 campaign against Croatia June 16 at the Kaliningrad Stadium.
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by FSL News | 17 Mar, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Video & News
Iran proved too strong as they dismantled a Sierra Leone side largely dominated by local stars 4-0 on Saturday in an international friendly at the Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.
A brace for Ali Gholizadeh and a goal apiece for Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh and Kaveh Rezaei helped the host to outclass their struggling visitors.
Sierra Leone came close to their worst ever defeat to Mali 6–0 in Bamako, Mali; 17 June 2007.
Despite all the controversies surrounding the friendly, the contest was a success for the world cup-bound.
The groundwork was Iran’s first 2018 World Cup warm-up encounter and the first between the two countries.
Iran ranked 33rd in the world and Sierra Leone 98th.
Sierra Leone last victory was against Kenya in the opener of African Nations Cup 2019 qualifiers in Freetown
Iran are in Group B at the FIFA World Cup alongside Spain, Morocco and Portugal.
Carlos Queiroz’s men will open their Russia 2018 campaign with a match against Morocco at Saint Petersburg on June 15, before taking on Spain in Kazan on 20 June.
Iran- Sierra Leone Match Details
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