by FSL News | 21 Mar, 2017 | African News
Ivory Coast named Marc Wilmots as Les Éléphants new head coach on Tuesday.
The former Belgium coach Wilmots, 48, succeeded Michel Dussuyer who resigned in January after exited the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage.
“The appointment of Marc Wilmots is a big catch for the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) which, despite the modesty of its resources, has managed to hire this world-renowned coach,” said the country’s FA in a statement.
Wilmots, who was also sacked by Belgium in July after failing to take their highly-rated team beyond the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, is now tasked to guide the Elephants to the 21st FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia and the 2019 Nations Cup in Cameroon.
He was the head coach of Belgium between 2012 and 2016 and lead them to the World Cup in Brazil.
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by FSL News | 20 Mar, 2017 | African News
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has banned Ghanaian referee Joseph Odartei Lamptey for life from any football-related activities, both national and international.
Lamptey was found guilty of breaching FIFA’s disciplinary code during the game between South Africa and Senegal in November last year.
The ban results from a penalty he awarded to South Africa in a 2-1 win over Senegal in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in November.
He penalised Kalidou Koulibaly for handball, but replays showed the ball hit his knee.
Football’s world governing body says it will give more details “once the decision becomes final and binding”.
Lamptey can now appeal to Fifa and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
One of his assistants, David Laryea, also from Ghana, had charges against him dismissed by Fifa’s disciplinary committee.
The win for South Africa left them in second place in the four-team group after two matches, with Senegal in third.
Lamptey, who also officiated at the Rio Olympics last year, declined BBC Sport’s invitation to comment, saying he would do so later.
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF), who made a complaint to Fifa over Lamptey, is happy with the decision.
“Today there are many reasons to be happy about this decision – a decision that will be remembered as being significant but will also warn everybody that they are being watched,” FSF vice-president Abdoulaye Sow told BBC Sport.
“All cheating and stealing will be punished according to its gravity.
“Fifa has clearly struck a big blow and has promised in its decision to talk again about the match when the decision is final and binding.”
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by FSL News | 19 Mar, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone striker Alhaji Kamara has joined US Soccer League side Richmond Kickers on a season-long loan from DC United.
“The Richmond Kickers are pleased to receive five players on loan from the club’s official Major League Soccer affiliate, D.C. United. Defender Chris Durkin, forward Alhaji Kamara, goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky, midfielder Chris Odoi-Atsem and midfielder Maxim Tissot are slated to appear in Richmond throughout the 2017 season, pending USL, MLS and U.S. Soccer approval,” the club stated on their official website.
The former Norrköping forward scored the fastest goal on his MLS debut in 33 seconds against Sporting Kansas City for DC United, after a congenital heart condition derailed his European career.
Kamara was cleared to resume his career after further testing from US-based doctors, the initial medical test confirmed he was suffering from congenital heart disease, a deviation of the coronary arteries.
The 5 ft 11-inch striker, who will be 23-year-old in April made eight appearances – starting twice for DC United last Major League season.
He was clinical when playing for Norrköping in the Swedish Allsvenskan scoring 21 goals in 48 games in all competitions.
In 2015, he was loaned to Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim F.C. but was recalled to IFK Norrköping in July 2016, where he scored seven goals in thirteen appearances to help the Swedish side win the league.
Capped four times for Sierra Leone, he began his career with local club FC Kallon, before signing on loan with Swedish first division side Djurgårdens IF in 2012 and eventually signing with IFK Norrköping in 2014.
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by FSL News | 19 Mar, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Last year’s Cup winners, BK Häcken lost 3-1 on Saturday at their Bravida Arena to Östersunds FK in the Swedish Cup Semi-finals.
Alhassan ‘Crespo’ Kamara scored BK Häcken’s only goal with his head and his fifth in this year’s cup competition but was not enough to take his side’s to the 2017 Swedish Cup final.
Häcken were two down in the opening half hour – goals from Tom Pettersson and Saman Ghoddos for the visiting team Östersunds FK in the 6th and 30th minutes respectively before Sierra Leone striker Kamara pulled one back in the 32′ minutes at their Bravida Arena.
Saman Ghoddos scored his second and Östersunds third in the 87th minutes to wrapped up the victory and helped his side to their first ever cup final.
In the second half, BK Häcken took over the game at times. But does not create as many chances and they were unable to be clinical in front of goal when Joel Andersson lifting the ball to an onrushing Paulinho but only saved on the goal line!
Hacken, who won the Cup last year was often got stuck in a tight defensive game.
Hacken’s technician Mikael Stahre: “Obviously disappointing to lose, but we played against a good team. 70 percent of football matches are won by the team that scores the first goal. We conceded an after six minutes. It put a stamp on the game.”
Östersunds faces the winner between IFK Norrköping and Brommapojkarna, who play the other semi-final on Sunday.
Match Facts: Starting Elevens
Hacken: Abrahamsson – Andersson, Lindgren, Wahlstrom (Maholli, 66 ‘), Arkivuo (Egbuchulam, 85’) – Friberg, Faltsetas (Paulinho, 38 ‘), Abubakari – Farnerud, Kamara Mohammed
Ostersund: Keita – Mensiro, Bergqvist (Somi, 46 ‘), Pettersson, Widgren -Sema (Gero, 85’), Nouri, Bachirou, Bertilsson (Edwards, 50 ‘) – Ghoddos, Aeish
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by FSL News | 17 Mar, 2017 | African News
Mrs Akosua Puni Essien, the wife of former Chelsea anchorman, Michael Essien, is the new owner of Italian third division side Como Calcio 1907.
Como Calcio 1907 has been in existence for 110 years and last participated in the Serie A in the 2002/2003 season
Mrs Essien, who is a popular businesswoman and philanthropist, a British citizen of Ghanaian origin bought the club for €237,000 at a bankruptcy auction held by FC Como Limited, Football Sierra Leone understands.
The Club release statement on their website announcing the news: “Football Como is pleased to announce that the Club has a new owner. As has just been confirmed by the court, which verified the requirements, we are pleased to announce, to the city of Como, to all the fans and supporters of the Club, Mrs Akousa Puni Essien is the new owner of Calcio Como 1907, called now FC Como.
“Mrs Puni Essien and his team will soon be in our city and be presented to the city, to the fans and supporters of the Club. In the meantime, they intend to let you know that they are honoured to be here, in Como, and become part of a club which boasts 110 years of history.”
This will automatically end any further speculation over the club’s future after it was declared bankrupt last year a move which saw them suffer relegation from the Serie B.
Meanwhile, Husband Michael Essien has joined Indonesian side Persib Bandung on a one-year deal.
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