by FSL News | 28 Mar, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
April 14 New Sierra Leone Premier League proposed a start date
The 2017- 2018 Sierra Leone National Premier League season is set to kick off April 14, 2017, according to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) and the League organisers.
The long wait will finally over for the local fans and soccer enthusiasts. The last edition of the Premier League was suspended through the season in 2014 because of the Ebola epidemic. East End Lions was topping the 2014 campaign prior to its suspension.
Following a successful peace talk at the recent Extraordinary Congress in Freetown last Thursday, 23 2017 and a follow-up meeting held at the football Secretariat, Kingtom today, clubs have received a confirmation to prepare for the new campaign.
An FA statement reads: “SLFA in readiness of the Premier League held a meeting today at its Secretariat with all Premier League clubs to confirm the League Board and commence registration.
“The SLFA, in turn, offer them with the following sporting materials: Adidas travelling bag, Balls Bag holder, Medical Kitbag, balls and bibs to all 14 clubs to jump-start the process of the league which has been slated to start on April 14, 2017.”
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by FSL News | 28 Mar, 2017 | African News
Les Coelecantes of Comoros Islands and South Sudan booked their places in the group stage of qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with aggregate victories.
South Sudan walloped Djibouti 6-0 in Juba on Tuesday to progress with a 6-2 aggregate.
It means they (South Sudan) will battle it out in Group C with Mali, Gabon and Burundi.
Minnows Comoros Islands will take on Morocco, Malawi and reigning champions Cameroon in Group B.
Les Coelecantes beat Mauritius 2-0 in the first leg preliminary of their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and played 1-1 in the second leg away in Mauritius.
Tournament hosts, the Indomitable Lions will qualify automatically no matter where they finish in the qualifiers.
The qualifiers will starts in June this year and end in November 2018 with the 12 group winners automatically earning a place in the finals.
The three best runners-up will also advance to the tournament in Cameroon.
Draw in full: A: Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Madagascar B: Cameroon, Morocco, Malawi, Comoros
C: Mali, Gabon, Burundi, South Sudan D: Algeria, Togo, Benin, The Gambia E: Nigeria, South Africa, Libya, Seychelles
F: Ghana, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Kenya G: DR Congo, Congo, Zimbabwe, Liberia H: Ivory Coast, Guinea, Central African Republic, Rwanda I: Burkina Faso, Angola, Botswana, Mauritania J: Tunisia, Egypt, Niger, Swaziland K: Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia L: Cape Verde, Uganda, Tanzania, Lesotho
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by FSL News | 28 Mar, 2017 | African News
Les Éléphants of Ivory Coast and the Teranga Lions of Senegal friendly international was abandoned in the 88th minute on Monday after dozens of fans invaded the pitch.
Premier League stars Sadio Mane, Eric Bailly, Wilfried Zaha and Idrissa Gueye were all playing in the match for their respective countries.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane gave Senegal the lead from the penalty spot in the second-half, with Cyriac Gohi Bi levelling the scores just a few minutes later at the Charlety Stadium in Paris.
The trouble began in the stands before fans finally bulldozed their way onto the pitch, where Senegal’s Lamine Gassama pictured was tackled to the ground.
Center officiating Referee Tony Chapron communicated to the players as they return to their dressing rooms before officially calling off the game.
In 2012, an African Nations Cup qualifier between the two sides was also abandoned after a riot in Dakar.
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by FSL News | 27 Mar, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Umaru Bangura has set his sights on making a major contribution that will inspire FC Zürich to get over the line in their push for promotion to the Swiss Super League next season.
The Sierra Leone skipper, who signed in August 2016 on a three years contract with Swiss second-tier until June 2019, believes determination and togetherness will be the key to promotion.
The former Haugesund and Dinamo Minsk defender has been a regular for Uli Forte’s Challenge League leaders since recovering from a double operation on the tendon of his left hand.
Bangura, 29, told footballsierraleone.net: “I’d like to think we’re in a very good position for promotion and I’ll do my best to help the club back to the Super League.
“FC Zurich is a big club and we all here working very hard towards playing in the top flight next season, but this is football only determination and the togetherness drive will see us finish the job.”
“There are plenty of games to go and we have to show that we really want promotion by winning and avoiding defeats in our remaining games, Bangura told footballsierraleone.net.
“As a team, we have done really well,” Bangura added.
Zurich are 7 points clear with a game in hand and they will host Schaffhausen after the international break.
Founded in 1896, the giant Swiss outfit have won the Super League 12 times and the Swiss Cup nine times but sadly they were relegated in the 2015–16 season after finishing last, one point behind FC Lugano.
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by FSL News | 26 Mar, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Allsvenskan newcomers AFC Eskilstuna wrapped up their 2017/2018 preparations with a big away win at the home of Swedish Champions Malmo FF.
The Eskilstuna-based club defeated Malmo 1-0 courtesy of a Mohamed Buya Turay (pictured) stunning solo goal.
The Sierra Leone-born was clinical when he ran in-depth and shot from a good distance to give AFC the winner with the only goal of the day at the Swedbank Stadium on Thursday just before the break.
AFC Eskilstuna started pre-season with a draw against IF Elfsborg (1-1) in Spain and to finished it up a few months later with a win away to Malmö FF.
Turay, 22, in December 2016 signed a new deal, keeping him at AFC Eskilstuna until 2019.
“It’s obviously going to be a new challenge for me and the team, but we are all looking forward to getting started,” Buya told footballsierraleone.net ahead of the new campaign a few months ago.
AFC Eskilstuna will kick off their 2017-2018 campaign with a visit to GIF Sundsvall on 2 April 2017.
Match Facts:
Malmo FF – Eskilstuna AFC 0-1 (0-1)
0-1 (45) Mohamed Turay Buya
Attendance: 728, Swedbank Stadium
By Alie Bittar @football_sierra @bittar32
Sierra Leone | Highlights -