by FSL News | 16 Apr, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Former AC Milan and Leone Stars midfielder Rodney Strasser is eyeing a return to the national team ahead of the qualifiers of Cameroon 2019, after a long spell out.
The versatile and combative midfielder, who has been active this season playing in the second-tier LigaPro with Gil Vicente in Portugal, is hoping to start playing for Leone Stars once again.
Strasser, 27, last international outing with Leone Stars was in May 2014 against Swaziland in Freetown during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, where he dislocated his shoulder.
When asked about his commitment to the national team, the former Lecce and Parma player who has been active and has made 13 appearances in all competition on Saturday told Football Sierra Leone he has always been committed and he’s fit and ready to return after being out of the squad for almost two years.
“I’m always committed to serving Sierra Leone, said Strasser. I’m always proud of giving out my best and to help my national team. I’m positive that I still have a lot to offer to my country.
“I’ve been out for a while and It’s has been back of my mind because is only natural with my form and if I keep doing what I’m doing for Gil Vicente, I’m ready but we’ll see what happens.”
Sierra Leone Stars will tackle Group F alongside Ghana Black Stars, Kenya, and Ethiopia, in the qualifiers for a place in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Cameroon.
Sierra Leone’s first qualifier for Cameroon 2019 is in June when they host Kenya in Freetown.
He has won over seven caps with Sierra Leone. Strasser made his international debut on 5 September 2010, in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game against Egypt.
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by FSL News | 13 Apr, 2017 | African News
* Spanish coach Lucas Alcaraz takes the reins of Algeria following dismissal from Granada role this week
* Algeria currently sat bottom of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ qualifying group
* Alcaraz will be the Desert Foxes’ fourth coach in just over a year
Algeria have appointed Lucas Alcaraz as their new coach, following the resignation of Georges Leekens in February.
The Spaniard, who was sacked as Granada coach on Monday after six months following his third spell at the helm of the Andalucian club, becomes the fourth permanent coach to take charge in 13 months.
Christian Gourcuff, who had been in the role since Vahid Halilhodzic stepped down following Brazil 2014, resigned in March 2016. Milovan Rajevac took control for two games before Leekens stepped in, but the Belgian called time after Algeria’s group stage exit at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Alcaraz will take over the Desert Foxes with them languishing at the bottom of their Russia 2018 qualifying group, having picked up one point from their opening two fixtures. They are five points adrift of leaders Nigeria with four games remaining, with the Super Eagles occupying the solitary qualifying place.
Algeria at the FIFA World Cup
* The Desert Foxes’ first appearance at the World Cup came at Spain 1982, stunning West Germany with a 2-1 win
* Brazil 2014 ranks as their best-ever performance, taking eventual champions Germany to extra-time in the Round of 16
* They also qualified for Mexico 1986 and South Africa 2010
(Source FIFA.com) @football_sierra
by FSL News | 13 Apr, 2017 | African News
Former Ivory Coast striker and Chelsea FC legend Didier Drogba has signed for American side Phoenix Rising as a player and part-owner. Phoenix Rising currently part of the United Soccer League and they targeting Major League Soccer promotion.
Shaun Wright-Phillips, another former Chelsea winger, former Newcastle and QPR defender Peter Ramage and ex-Watford and Derby left-back Jordan Stewart are all on Phoenix’s roster.
The Chelsea FC legend on his official twitter account tweeted to break the news: ‘Happy to announce I have signed with and will be part of the ownership group hoping to take Phoenix to the MLS.’
Drogba, one of Africa’s finest, who was a free agent for nearly four months will play a major role on and off the pitch for USL side Phoenix Rising after announcing himself as the very first player-owner in football history.
The former Le Mans and Marseille striker was recently playing for Canadian MLS side Montreal Impact, where he successfully scored 21 goals in the 2015-16 seasons.
“The USL is a league on the rise, further demonstrated by the calibre of players who have recently joined our ranks,” said USL President Jake Edwards. “The addition of Drogba in Phoenix, as well as the numerous other world class and domestic players competing in the USL, speaks volumes to the professional-quality environment our league continues to build,” quoting their website.
Drogba, 39, said in a statement on Phoenix Rising’s official website: ‘I have taken my time in deciding what I wanted to do next and am really excited about the opportunity at Phoenix Rising FC.
@football_sierra @bittar32
by FSL News | 11 Apr, 2017 | African News
Togo international, Emmanuel Adebayor, scored a hat-trick as Istanbul Basaksehir thrashed city rivals Galatasaray in the Turkish top flight League on Monday.
Adebayor, 33, scored the opener in 11 minutes and headed home his second just before half-time.
The ex-Arsenal and Tottenham forward completed his hat-trick on 57th minutes before Mustafa Pektemek adding a fourth.
Adebayor’s last hat-trick came for Real Madrid in 2011, while the 33-year-old now has five goals since joining Basaksehir as a free agent in January.
Basaksehir moved five points behind leaders Besiktas with seven games remaining.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 10 Apr, 2017 | African News
Liverpool have a suffered a major blow with news injured Sadio Mane has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Senegalese international, sustained cartilage damage in a challenge with Leighton Baines in last week’s 3-1 victory over Everton.
Manager Jurgen Klopp had said Mane, 25, needed surgery, leaving it “pretty much impossible for him to play again this season”.
He is expected to undergo surgery in London on Tuesday to solve the knee problem, Football Sierra Leone understands.
Liverpool are third in the Premier League with six games to go. The injury is expected to rule him out for two months.
The Senegal star is the Merseyside club’s top scorer this season despite missing a period while away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
@football_sierra
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