by FSL News | 16 Jul, 2017 | African News
Eight people have been killed during a Senegal football league final in Dakar in a stampede that broke out following clashes at the end of the match, the official APS news agency said.
A wall collapsed at Demba Diop Stadium on Saturday as people prepared to leave after the game between local teams Ouakam and Stade de Mbour, APS reported, adding much more were injured.
Police fired tear gas at clashing supporters from both teams who were throwing projectiles, and panic spread in the stadium leading to a crush.
Sports minister Matar Ba said a young girl was among the dead, while around 60 injured fans had been taken to health facilities in Dakar.
He vowed, “strong measures so that such an event will never be repeated in Senegal”.
At 2-1 during extra time, US Ouakam supporters began throwing stones at Stade de Mbour fans, causing spectators to begin vacating their seats in a rush, an AFP news agency journalist at the scene said.
Part of a wall supporting bleachers seating fans from both sides then collapsed as police started firing tear gas.
“All of a sudden, the wall fell. We knew some of our own had lost their lives because the wall fell directly onto people,” said Cheikh Maba Diop, a witness who helped evacuate victims from the stadium and lost a friend in the tragedy.
Campaigning for Senegal’s legislative elections due on July 30 would be suspended on Sunday in respect for the victims, said a spokesman for President Macky Sall.
Sall also wanted “punishments serving as a warning” following the tragedy, spokesman El Hamidou Kasse said on TFM television.
Senegal’s safety record at large gatherings has been heavily criticised this year after the death of dozens of people at a religious retreat in April when a fire ripped through makeshift shelters.
Source: News agencies
by FSL News | 16 Jul, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Newly promoted Allsvenskan side AFC Eskilstuna, have achieved their first win of the season defeating Kalmar FF 2-1 on Saturday.
A goal from Nigeria forward Chidi Dauda Omeje in the 48th min cancelled out Kalmar’s Senegalese striker Papa Alioune Diouf opener in the 8th minute before the home team double their scoreline to win it in the 78th min from Ludvig Ohman.
First front bottom, in the Swedish top flight Michael Jolley, who recently take charge of the team have only lost twice but they have gone all season without a win in 14 attempts before this victory, losing 10 games with four draws.
The victory might just turn their season around as the locked down in a deep fight against relegation.
Sierra Leone international, Mohamed Buya Turay (pictured), who has scored three times this season in twelve appearances, was in action as they put up a spirited fight to registered first Allsvenskan victory at home and all season.
Turay had a great opportunity to give AFC the lead, but was unable to finish the game.
“We have won the first victory in Allsvenskan and it is a historic moment for the club, and we are very happy.
“But this is just one step and we have to quickly reload and think about the future because we have fifteen very important matches left,” said coach Michael Jolley after the match.
Their next Allsvenskan will them travel to Kalmar for the second phase of the top flight action on Jul 23 at the Gasten Konstgras stadium.
Match fact: AFC Eskilstuna – Kalmar FF 2-1 (0-1)
0-1 (8) Papa Alioune Diouf
1-1 (47) Chidi Dauda Omeje
2-1 (78) Ludvig Öhman-Silwerfeldt
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by FSL News | 15 Jul, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Kemson Fofanah scored from the spot to helped Sierra Leone force a draw in front of an empty stadium.
Sierra Leone survived late on in Freetown to force a 1-1 draw at the Siaka Steven Stadium on Saturday in the first leg preliminary of the African Nations Championship – CHAN.
The Local-Stars were playing a tricky home tie for the first time under new home-based coach Abubakar Tostao Kamara, but they failed to make use of home advantage.
A Senegalese defender was sent off 10 minutes before the end of the first half and they have to play the rest of the encounter with a man down.
After a goalless first half, the second 45 minutes was able to produce all the goals of the day.
The visitors scored from a rebound free-kick, Sidi Bara Diop accounted for the goal in the 63rd minute.
Sierra Leone capitalised from a spot kick scored in the 85th minutes by Kemson Fofanah to save the day in front of an empty stadium.
The Senegalese are now favourites to reach the next stage of the competition when both sides meet next weekend in Dakar.
Sierra Leone or Senegal will face the winners between Guinea-Bissau and Guinea in the second round with the first leg billed to take place between 11 – 13 August, and the return leg the following weekend.
The Local Stars have never participated in the CHAN finals and the West African side will be looking to qualify for the finals in Kenya next year.
Senegal qualified for the first two CHAN finals (in 2009 and 2011). Their best finish was when they were beaten in the third-place playoff match in 2009.
Meanwhile, elsewhere Guinea have the advantage following their 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau today.
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by FSL News | 15 Jul, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Abu Bakarr Suma cannot wait to make his Assyriska FF Division 1 Norra debut after signing on a one-year deal on Friday.
The 22-year-old defensive Midfielder last played for Superettan side IK Frej where he made over fifteen appearances in all competition between 2016-2017 seasons.
“He is a loyal and hard-working player,” says Assyriska sporting director Bobil
“I’m really looking forward to getting started,” Suma told footballsierraleone.net.
“I happy to be here, hoping to make my home debut tomorrow against Sandvikens.”
“I’m focused and looking forward to making my mark from the start. Is not always easy having an instant impact with a new club, but am optimistic about doing so,” the youngster added.
“He is a loyal and hard-working player,” says Assyriska sporting director Bobil
He started his playing career in Freetown Sierra Leone with FC Dollarosa before joining FC Johansen and later played for FC Kallon.
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by FSL News | 15 Jul, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The National home-based head coach, Abubakar Tostao Kamara, has named Port Authority striker Donald Wellington aka Korbor Korbor and FC Johansen’s attacker Abdul Babu Bangura in the attack of his first team to face Senegal this afternoon, Football Sierra Leone understands.
The Local-Stars will battle it out with their Senegalese counterpart in the first leg preliminary of the African Nations Championship – CHAN, in Freetown at the Siaka Steven Stadium, as they look to have a foothold ahead of the second leg in Dakar the following week.
Coach Tostao will also install inform skipper Sorie Barrie, who scored in the 93rd minute to knock out Cameroon during 2016 Olympic qualifiers to partner Abu Kanu in central midfield.
While Anderson Tongor Fullah of Port Authority and former Inter Allies attacker Prince Barrie will play in left and right midfield respectively.
The coach is optimistic and keenly aware that a win in Freetown could give his side the advantage going into the second leg in Senegal.
The CHAN – is a tournament only for domestic-based players in Africa. The tournament will be staged in Kenya from 12 January to 4 February 2018 in Kenya.
The winner of the double-legged tie will face the winners of the Guinea-Bissau and Guinea clash in the second round with the first leg billed to take place between 11 and 13 August, and those of the return leg the following weekend.
Expected Coach Kamara’s Squad:
Keeper: Ibrahim Bangura
Defenders: Kemson Fofanah, Yeami Dunia, Abu Suma, Mohamed Kamanor
Midfielders: Anderson, Abu Kanu, Sorie Barrie, Prince Barrie
Attackers: Donald Wellington, Abdul Badu Bangura
Subs: Issac Caulker, Mahamed Fofanah, Morie Alie, Alfred Sakilla, John Kargbo, Mahmoud Fornah, (Nyakeh O. Alpha or Gibrilla Kamara)
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -