by FSL News | 9 May, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Dear Madam Isha Johansen,
I am sure you must have seen the latest draws of the AFCON 2019 campaign and like me; you must be fervently saying a little prayer every morning. In fact, I can even imagine you utter these words; “Oh Lord, I pray that you will provide for our darling Leone Stars the strength, commitment, dedication and above all, the magic wand that would ensure them a place in the finals of the continent’s biggest showpiece.- Amen”
Well, while I believe in prayers, they alone cannot take us to the final. We need more than prayers. We have to fix our perennial problems and the FA will have to do more than prayers.
Since 1996 in South Africa, Leone Stars have not qualified for the Nations Cup. That was 21 years ago and before you and I started using Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. We have been absent in the continent’s masterpiece with a record of 11 times of trying. Yet, we do not seem to have learnt from our mistakes.
As a lover of Salone football and a soccer pundit, I eat, drink and sleep football. I talk to a lot of football pundits and enthusiasts as well. I am sure you do the same and from what I hear from them, our failure to reach the continent’s top competition could be down to the following; lack of proper planning leading to poor preparation in the build-up to qualification campaigns, the absence of a proper football structure and the football politics. Do they sound familiar?
The Leone Stars will kick start their 2019 AFCON campaign at home against the Harambee Stars next month. For me, for you and almost all of our soccer-loving populace, this should be a perfect home game to send a loud message in Group F.
Our first two opening matches against Kenya and Ethiopia are must-win games if we are to strengthen our grip in a group that Ghana’s Black Star fancies their chances as the strongest and one of the most consistent performers in recent years in African football.
With regards to our last Afcon campaign – I will give credit to the players and their Ghanaian coach, Sellas Tetteh; as we narrowly missed out on securing qualification to Gabon 2017 after drawing 1-1 with Ivory Coast in Bouake back in September 2016.
Madame FA President, as you have already seen the fixtures, I am tempted to ask- have you announced any preparation for the Leone Stars opener next month? Are we waiting for the usual last minute to apply the fire brigade approach? I note with keen interest that there are contradicting reports on Sellas Tetteh’s position and your FA led by you keeps saying he is still the man for the job.
There are three sides to a story. Have heard two sides to the stories? What is the third, I mean the truth to the story? Is he or is he not going to take the boys out to the pitch in time for the opener in Freetown next month? From what I heard, Tetteh is currently in charge of Ghana’s top-flight side, Liberty Professionals who are in a deep relegation fight in the league.
The 60-year-old Ghanaian Under-20 World Cup winner had said he would not run away from the Leone Stars coaching job but after the loss to Ivory Coast in September last year and with rumours of unpaid salary, there were indications that Tetteh was ready to move away from the team. He was fed up and was only willing to sign a long-term deal until all arrears have been paid, others have plainly put it.
Madam Johansen, while Leone Stars players are yet to kick a ball in readiness for the Harambee Stars next month, it would interest you to know that our opponents have recently played Uganda to a 1-1 draw (March 23), defeated DRC 2-1 (March 26) and held Malawi to a goalless in April as part of their preparations for the qualifiers and for a place in Cameroon, 2019. On our side, we have not done anything. You do not qualify to these competitions just like that. Preparation is the key and so far, we are clearly failing to prepare.
Following 2019 draws, Deputy Minister of Sports Al-Sankoh Conteh told this medium that government has assured Leone Stars of its full support in their quest to reach the African Nations Cup 2019 in Cameroon. He even said: “The government is willing to give all the necessary support to ensure we have a plan early and mobilize the most qualified and best of our players without any bias,” Well these were nice sentiments expressed by the Minister. However, we await these words to be backed by action and so far, we have not yet learnt how to plan early.
Madam President, tell any Sierra Leonean that Leone Stars will qualify this time for the Nation Cup and some will roll their eyes if not hiss. We are not a nation of pessimist but the reality is that because of inaction, people have lost hopes of once again seeing the green white and blue represented at the Nations Cup. Can you prove these doubters, including me wrong?
Sierra Leoneans have waited for too long and we are now desperately waiting to see our darling Leone Stars qualify for the Nations Cup and for a start; I am going to submit a list of players who, based on their present form and experience, have what it takes to be part of a Leone Stars build-up and the qualifiers.
Keeper: (Solomon Zombo Morris US Quevilly-Rouen France)
Defenders: (Captain Umaru Bangura FC Zürich), (David Simbo Yeni Amasyaspor Turkey), (Mustapha Dumbuya Partick Thistle Scotland), (Hassan Milla Sesay FC Lahti Finland), (Alie Sesay IK Frej Sweden), (Ishmael Koroma Nyköpings BIS Sweden)
Midfielders: (Mohamed Medo Kamara Kuwait SC), (Alfred Sankoh Denizlispor Turkey), (John Kamara FC Kaisar Kazakhstan), (Abdul Sesay JS Hercules Finland), (Khalifa Jabbie FC Sheriff Tiraspol Moldova), (Michael Lahoud Miami FC USA), (Rodney Strasser Gil Vicente F.C. Portugal).
Forwards: (Kei Kamara New, England Revolution MLS), Alhassan Kamara, BK Hacken Sweden), (Mohamed Buya Turay, AFC Eskilstuna Sweden), (Gibrilla Wobay NK Olimpija Ljubljana Slovenian)
With all said and done, is the FA and by extension, the government ready to put smiles on the faces of this soccer-loving nation once again?
I wait with baited breath but quickly, let me end by congratulating you on your recent appointment as Chair-lady of Women’s Football in Africa.
I hope you will represent our country to the very best of your abilities.
Good Luck!!!
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 9 May, 2017 | African News
ETHIOPIA will host Uganda in an international friendly on 3rd June 2017 in Addis Ababa as part of their homework for the forthcoming 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The newly appointed Ethiopian national team coach, Ashenafi Bekele, has named his 29-man provisional squad ahead of the Uganda friendly tie and African Cup of Nations qualifier opener against Ghana in June.
The Walia Ibex, seeking their first return to AFCON since 2013, are in Group F of the qualifiers alongside Uganda’s neighbours Kenya, Sierra Leone and Ghana.
They will open their campaign away to Ghana on 9th June 2017 before hosting the Leone Stars March 2018.
Only the winners of each group will join the host country in the final tournament as well as the best 3 runner-ups in all 12 Groups.
Meanwhile, Football Sierra Leone understands that the Ethiopia Football Association, EFA make known to have requested a friendly match with Zambia as a preparation for the 2018 CHAN in Kenya.
Full squad list.
Goalkeepers: Abel Mamo (Mekelakeya), Jemal Tassew (Jimma Aba Bunna), Lealem Birhanu (Sidama Bunna), Teklemariam Shanko (Addis Ababa Ketema)
Defenders: Asechalew Tamene (Kidus Giorgis), Abdulkerim Mohammed, Ahmed Reshid (Ethiopia Bunna), Seyoum Tesfaye (Dedebit), Tesfaye Bekele, Mujib Kassim (Adama Ketema), Aneteneh Tesfaye (Sidama Bunna), Awot Gebremikael (Ethio-Electric), Addis Tesfaye (Mekelakeya)
Midfielders: Natnael Zeleke, Menetesnot Adane (Kidus Giorgis), Biruk Kalbore (Adama Ketema), Ephrem Ashamo,Shemekit Gugesa (Dedebit), Gatoch Panom (Ethiopia Bunna), Tadele Mengesha (ArbaMinch Ketema),Mulualem Mesfin (Sidama Bunna), Gadissa Mebrate (Hawassa Ketema), Shemeles Bekele (Petrojet/Egypt)
Attackers: Getaneh Kebede (Dedebit), Salahdin Said (Kidus Giorgis), Addis Gidey (Sidama Bunna), Ame Mohammed(Jimma Aba Bunna), Abdulrahman Mubarak (Fasil Ketema), Oumed Okuri (El-Entag El-Harby/Egypt)
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by FSL News | 8 May, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Isha Johansen, has been appointed as the head of the Confederations of African Football (CAF) Women’s football Committee.
Madam Johansen’s appointment came at the inaugural meeting of the CAF Executive Committee which took place on Monday in Manama, Bahrain, on the margin of the 67th FIFA Congress starting on Tuesday.
The SLFA boss was also named as the Vice Chair of the CAF Fair Play and CAF Social Responsibilities Committee.
It is the first time in CAF’s 60-year history that a Sierra Leonean has been appointed to head such a committee at CAF.
In August 2009, the then SLFA boss, Nahim Khadi was appointed as member of the CAF Organising Committee for the African Futsal Championship and in October 2013, Madam Johansen and the current CAF education officer, Abdul Rahman Swarray were both appointed as member of the CAF Organizing Committee for Management of CAF club licensing system and the CAF Disciplinary Board respectively.
Madam Johansen who is already months away to end her first term reign as President of the SLFA become the first Sierra Leonean to be elected to the CAF Executive Committee after defeating Lydia Nsekera by 23 votes out of 47 votes casted at the CAF 39th Ordinary General Assembly in Ethiopia this year.
Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick was appointed President of the CAF Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations – the most important committee in the workings of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) aside the Executive Committee while Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi was confirmed as the first Vice president of the Confederation of African Football.
Follow the writer Sahr Morris Jr.
by FSL News | 8 May, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Newly appointed national home-based coach, Abu Bakarr Tostao Kamara, has released the names of 30 players, who will report for training camp ahead of July’s double header for CHAN in Kenya.
Sierra Leone will host the Teranga Lions of Senegal in the first leg knockout on the weekend of 14-16 July before travelling to Senegal for the return fixture the following week.
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.
Kenya 2018 (also referred to as CHAN 2018) will be the 5th edition of the African Nations Championship.
The CHAN – a tournament for locally-based African players featuring in their own country’s domestic leagues – will be staged in Kenya from 12 January to 4 February 2018.
Sierra Leone was knocked out from the 2016 tournament in the preliminary round by Mauritania thanks to a 4-1 aggregate win. The Mauritanians won the first leg 2-1 at the Nouakchott Stadium and six days later they registered a 2-0 victory at the same venue.
The home-based Leone Stars chose to host their home leg in Nouakchott because Sierra Leone was unable to host international games due to the Ebola outbreak in the country which forced an international ban on all football and sporting activities in the country then.
In 2014, Sierra Leone was eliminated from the qualifiers in their own backyard by Guinea. The Guineans forced Sierra Leone to a 1-1 draw at the National Stadium in Freetown as the first leg in Conakry ended in a goalless draw.
Senegal, on the other hand, has participated in the final phases of CHAN in 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2016. In 2014, they were eliminated by Mauritania (1-0 and 0-2) and in 2016; it was the Guineans who pushed them away.
Meanwhile, Coach Kamara, the former Leone Stars Captain will also use his groundwork for the West African Football Union (WAFU) competition.
Invited players are to report at the Sierra Leone Football Academy tomorrow 7 am.
Full List of invited players:
Goal Keepers: Unisa Koroma – East End Lions, Mohamed Rogers- East End Tigers, Issac Caulker- FC Kallon, Ibrahim Bangura- SL Police, Didi- RLSAF
Defenders: Yeami Dunya- FC Johansen, Kempson Fofanah- East End Lions, Yusufu Koroma- East End Tigers, Morie- Kamboi Eagles
Suma Abu- FC Johansen, David Janneh- RSLAF, Lacio- FC Kallon, Auwa- Ports Authority
Midfielders, Alfred Sakila- Central Parade, John Caulker- Blackpool
Mohamed Z. Kargbo- Real Mark, Attacking Midfielders, Abedi Abu Kanu- Blackpool, Gibrilla Osu- FC Kallon, George Matta- FC Johansen
Attackers: Strikers: Abdul Bangura- FC Johansen, Donald Wellington- East End Lions, Kabba Tucker- Anti Drugs, Mark- Freetown City Council, Issac Davies- Black Pool, Abu Komeh- FC Kallon, Kwami Quee- FC Johansen, Abdul Dul- East End Tigers, Prince Barrie- FC Kallon, Alimamy Kamara- RSLAF, Abu Bakarr Mansaray- Old Edwardians
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by FSL News | 6 May, 2017 | African News
Infuriated that he was treated like a “criminal,” Sulley Muntari won his fight with Italian soccer authorities on Friday to overturn a one-match ban for walking off the field in response to racist abuse.
“I feel that someone has finally listened and heard me,” the Ghanaian player said in comments published by FIFPro, the international players’ union. “The last few days have been very hard for me. I have felt angry and isolated. I was being treated like a criminal. How could I be punished when I was the victim of racism?”
The Sierra Leone defensive midfielder, Rodney Strasser was one of the first footballers to hail his former team-mate walk of action. Strasser told this medium “FIFA and the Italian Football Association need to pay more attention to the Persistent racial abuse of African players playing in Italy.
“I stand with Muntari for taking action because Racism has no place in football. It has to stop – We have to put an end to such inhuman behaviour in football.”
“In 2013, during a friendly match we played against Busto Arsizio there was racial abuse on another Ghanaian Kelvin Prince Boateng, as a team, we were forced to walk off the pitch in a protest to say no to racism and nothing was done,” Strasser explained.
The Pescara player received a yellow card during Sunday’s Serie A game at Cagliari for protesting to the referee about the monkey chants from the stands.
Muntari, 32, said he had complained against some section of the crowd, in the final minute of Pescara’s 1-0 loss including a group of children, chanting racist insults at him.
The red card led to Muntari receiving a one-match ban by the league’s disciplinary commission.
Cagliari escaped punishment because Serie A’s disciplinary body said only 10 fans bellowed abuse at Muntari, raising further doubts about Italy’s commitment to tackling racism in soccer.
“I hope my case can help so that other footballers do not suffer like me,” Muntari vehemently added. “I hope it can be a turning point in Italy and show the world what it means to stand up for your rights.”
The global anger reached the United Nations, with a top human rights official calling Muntari an “inspiration.”
FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio told national news agency ANSA that he was “satisfied” with the appeal ruling “because rules and procedures which are guaranteed by our system were respected.” Tavecchio was banned by UEFA for six months at the start of his Italian federation presidency in 2014 over a reference to bananas when discussing the presence of foreign players in Italy.
FIFPro said “common sense has prevailed” with the ban being rescinded.
“The right result has happened and justice has been served,” Bobby Barnes, FIFPro’s leader in Europe, told The Associated Press. “All of us felt the decision was wrong because there is a clear protocol in place and the player had followed that protocol.
“To be penalised for leaving the field because the protocol hadn’t been carried out was an insult to injury. When you’ve got the victim of a situation being the one that ends penalised, I think it is only right you look at that again. We’ve got to the right place, albeit belatedly.”
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Daniella Matar in Milan contributed to this report – @football_sierra.
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