by FSL News | 12 Dec, 2017 | African News
Egyptian winger, Mohamed Salah, has expressed his delight to fans and voters after being named BBC African Footballer of the Year.
Salah said on Twitter that he is very proud to have won this prestigious award for best African player, and joining the ranks of many great players.
Following a record number of votes, the Liverpool star won ahead of Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Guinean Naby Keita, Sadio Mane of Senegal and Nigeria’s Victor Moses.
“Very proud to have won this prestigious award for best African player, and joining the ranks of many great players who won it before me,” the Liverpool winger posted on his official Twitter account.
“It’s well-deserved,” Jurgen Klopp told the BBC. “I am a really lucky person. I had the opportunity to work with a few outstanding players and I am happy that it is now with Mo.”
The former Chelsea attacking midfielder registered 15 goals with Roma and provided 11 others, helping Roma ended the Seria A season second.
Since joining Liverpool he has scored 13 impressive Premier League goals.
Previous winners of the BBC African player of the year award
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City & Algeria), 2015: Yaya Toure (Manchester City & Ivory Coast), 2014: Yacine Brahimi (Porto & Algeria)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City & Ivory Coast), 2012: Chris Katongo (Henan Construction & Zambia), 2011: Andre Ayew (Marseille & Ghana)
2010: Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland & Ghana), 2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea & Ivory Coast), 2008: Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahly & Egypt), 2007: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal & Togo)
2006: Michael Essien (Chelsea & Ghana), 2005: Mohamed Barakat (Al Ahly & Egypt), 2004: Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria), 2003: Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria)
2002: El Hadji Diouf (Liverpool & Senegal), 2001: Sammy Kuffour (Bayern Munich & Ghana), 2000: Patrick Mboma (Parma & Cameroon).
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by FSL News | 10 Dec, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone striker Kei Kamara has completed his move to the Vancouver Whitecaps from New England Revolution.
The club announced on Sunday that they have acquired Kei Kamara from the New England Revolution in exchange for a 2019 first-round SuperDraft pick and a conditional 2020 second-round selection.
“I’m really excited to come to Vancouver,Kei told club’s website.
The veteran striker added: “I’ve been following the club, and I know that they have a very competitive team that suits the way I play. I want to put pressure on myself to continue to score goals. Most importantly, I want to bring success to the Southsiders, Curva Collective, Rain City Brigade, and all the supporters and fans of this club.”
Kamara, 33, who scored 12 goals and five assists in 31 appearances with the Revolution last season, is expected to earn $1 million in 2018, up from the $800,000 he made this past year.
“Kei is a player that brings goals and experience to the table,” Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said. “He’s a big body and he thrives off crosses. Most importantly, he’s a good character and he’s driven to win. We firmly believe that Kei can help lead this team into exciting times next year.”
The Sierra Leone native was also an MLS MVP finalist in 2015 with the Columbus Crew after netting 22 goals that year.
Kamara’s MLS Records
- 103 goals and 39 assists in 298 appearances over 11 MLS seasons, including playoffs
- 10th all-time in MLS regular season goals with 98, and second among active players behind only Chris Wondolowski
- Finalist for 2015 MLS MVP after leading the league with 26 goals, including playoffs, and helping Columbus to a runner-up finish in MLS Cup
- First player from Sierra Leone to score in the English Premier League
- Captained his national team, scoring five goals in 26 appearances for the Leone Stars
Kamara, 33, has 103 goals and 39 assists in 246 starts and 298 appearances in his MLS career, including playoffs, becoming only the 12th player in league history to eclipse the century mark in goals. Last season, Kamara led New England with 12 goals, including four game-winners, tied for ninth in the league, in addition to his five assists.
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by FSL News | 10 Dec, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone international midfielder Alfred Sankoh has left the club by mutual consent.
The 29-year-old, who renewed his contract with the Turkish side Denizlispor in July 2017, made seven appearances this season before the club announced they have parted company.
The former Khazar Lankaran midfielder claimed that the club wanted to force him to play despite, he is injured.
“The club in a relegation zone and because of that they’re forcing me to play in spite of my injury,” Sankoh told footballsierraleone.net.
“From mid-October I was injured so they can’t be patient me anymore.”
“The club’s president and coach stressed me so much because I told them I can’t force to play and damage my career due to my injury.”
His previous clubs include Strømsgodset, Şanlıurfaspor, Khazar Lankaran and Balikesirspor.
A club statement said: “Alfred Sankoh’s contract with the Board of Directors has been cancelled by mutual agreement.”
“We thank Alfred Sankoh for his contributions and wish him success in his future career.”
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by FSL News | 7 Dec, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Where next Mo Bangura?
Sierra Leone forward, Mohamed ‘Poborsky’ Bangura has departed newly promoted Swedish Allsvenskan league side Dalkurd FF just a season after joining the club.
The newly promoted club decided not to extend the striker contract and their Sports Director, Adil Kizil told football channel that it does not matter as neither they nor Bangura wanted a new deal.
Bangura and goalkeeper Robertino Kljajic were the two players confirmed by the club to quit immediately after the 2017 season climax.
“We have chosen not to extend their contracts,” Kizil said and added: “Mohamed came in like a heavy weave, but this did not seem like neither we nor Mohamed wanted. He has had many injuries and had a hazy season. He also suffered a tragedy within the family and had a heavy spring which made the whole season hacked.
“But one thing I want to say, and that is, he is one of the most professional players we’ve had to do with. He comes to every training session and only showed joy and behaved exceptionally. We really wish him all the best.”
The former AIK and Celtic forward scored only one goal in the Superettan for Dalkurd FF from two starts and eight substitute appearances.
Bangura signed a year deal with Swedish Superettan side, Dalkurd FF in January 2016 just days after it was confirmed that he had left Chinese League One side Dalian Yifang where he spent just after a year out of his three years deal he signed in December 2015.
He made only 24 appearances scoring three goals for the Chinese side before both parties parted company in January 2016.
By Sahr Morris Jnr – Follow us on twitter @football_sierra
by FSL News | 6 Dec, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Photo: Hassan Sesay looks forward to next season in Euros. (Photo: Juha Tamminen.)
FC Lahti and Sierra Leone defender, Hassan Milla Sesay has signed a contract extension which will keep him at the club until November 2018.
Next season will be his fifth consecutive with FC Lahti and has played over 75 matches in all competitions scoring five goals.
The 30-year-old versatile player signed the Finish top-tier side from Myllykosken Pallo −47 in 2014 and has helped the club twice in qualifying for European competitions.
Sesay, was also part of the clubs third Liigacup triumph last season.
Manager Toni Korkeakunnas told the club’s website: “Sesay is a reliable quality gamer who has been playing for many years on a good level.”
Sesay is pleased with the extension contract and he is hoping his side will do better in next season’s Europa League qualifiers.
– “Toni” is really a good coach. He counts on me and we have experienced a lot together. He has taught me a lot of good things about on and off-field issues, Sesay told club’s website.
“We finally got what we all wanted so hard, but we have to be better next season. We want to go further than the last in Europe and I know that we can do it. We still need reinforcements, but I think the team’s body is good, Sesay added.
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