by FSL News | 16 Mar, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Isha Johansen pictured becomes Caf executive member
The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Isha Johansen has been elected into the new Confederation of African Football executive committee with a total of 35 -12 votes at the just concluded CAF Elections beating Lydia Nsekera.
She becomes the first Sierra Leonean to be elected as a CAF Executive Committee member from 2017 – 2021 following the CAF 39th Ordinary General Assembly in Ethiopia on Thursday.
The SLFA’s boss Johansen was also recently been given a lofty appointment into a powerful FIFA sub-committee – the FIFA Members Association Committee.
She was elected SLFA’s boss unopposed on 3 August 2013 as the first female FA boss in Sierra Leone and she’s also the only female Football Association president in the world presently.
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by FSL News | 16 Mar, 2017 | African News
Madagascar FA boss Ahmad pictured is the new Caf president.
Congratulations to the Madagascar FA president Ahmad Ahmad on his triumph over Issa Hayatou.
Ahmad Ahmad was elected the new head of Confederation of African Football (CAF), denying Issa Hayatou, the last of the old generation leaders in world football, his eighth term at the helm of the continental body on Thursday.
“I’m a candidate for change and the majority wants change. I’m the only one who could dare present a candidacy for change. And I’m vying to bring this change,” Ahmad was quoted as saying when launching his election bid. “Our football has been relying too much on its official course since 1957 when CAF was created. It is now high time for it to free itself and to update itself with the current situation”
Hayatou had headed CAF since 1988. The win sees Ahmad now become a FIFA vice president and take Hayatou’s place on the FIFA Council.
Madagascar Football Association chief Ahmad claimed 34 votes against Hayatou’s 20 to break Hayatou’s 29-year reign and give African football a new leader for the first time in three decades.
Caf former presidents
Abdel Aziz Abdallah Salem (1957-1958) – Abdel Aziz Moustafa (1958-1968) – Abdel Halim Muhammad (1968-1972) – Yidnekatchew Tessema (1972-1987) – Abdel Halim Muhammad (1987-1988)
Issa Hayatou (1988-2017) – Present is the Madagascar Football Association boss Ahmad
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by FSL News | 15 Mar, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed forces FC (RSLAF) have withdrawn from this year’s CAF Confederation Cup first round second leg due to being ‘ unable to secure funds, Football Sierra Leone understands.
Following a humiliating 9-1 defeat in Tunisia on Sunday last week in the first round first leg of the competition, they were due to host Club Africain in the second fixture in Freetown this coming weekend at the National Siaka Steven Stadium.
While closed club sources have stated that they are ‘bitterly disappointed’ to have had to resort to withdrawal, they are now likely to face a two-year ban that stops them playing in any CAF competitions until 2019 and could be fined $10,000.
“The 2017 Confederation Cup Representatives, RSLAF, FC has been withdrawn from the ongoing competition. This was after the SLFA Secretariat has received a letter from RSLAF FC dated March 14th instant, expressing their unwillingness to host the returned leg match between them and Club Africain,” The Sierra Leone football body said in a statement.
“CAF Disciplinary Committee and the SLFA Executive board will pronounce the necessary sanctions on RSLAF FC and they would be duly informed.”
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by FSL News | 14 Mar, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Abdul-rahman Bangura has signed a new contract with Atlanta Silverbacks
The 31-year old Sierra Leone centre-back has penned a contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2018.
“The Silverbacks welcome yet another 2014 star back to Atlanta for the 2017 season! Abdul Bangura will play centre back, anchoring Atlanta’s backline.” the club said in a statement.
Bangura, who arrived at Atlanta Silverbacks on 28 February 2014 and made his debut in Silverbacks 2-1 victory as a substitute in the 89th minute away against FC Edmonton is delighted with the new deal.
“I’m thrilled to sign a new contract with Silverbacks and am really excited about the future,” he told footballsierraleone.net.
“I’m excited to extend my contract with the Silverbacks. Atlanta feels like home to me. I am looking forward to this upcoming season.
“The manager is bringing in some good players, and I believe it going to be an exciting season ahead. I feel determined & optimistic that this season will be a great season for me and the team.”
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) starts in Mid-April till October/November ending.
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by FSL News | 14 Mar, 2017 | African News
Ghana and former Chelsea anchorman, Michael Essien, has joined Indonesian side Persib Bandung on a one-year deal.
The Ghanaian, who earned 58 caps for Ghana during his international career, signed a deal on Monday with the option to extend his stay for a further 12 months at the end of the season.
Speaking after his move to the South-East Asia country, Essien told the club’s website: “I hope I am the prelude to other world players moving to Indonesia.
“Hopefully this is a good beginning for Indonesian football and also for Persib. Thank you for bringing me here. I’m excited and want to give my best.”
The Former Real Madrid player will don the number five shirt for the Liga 1 side, the same one he wore during his nine years at Stamford Bridge.
Persib Bandung last won the Indonesian league title in the 2014 season after the last two campaigns were abandoned due to a FIFA suspension.
The Ghanaian veteran made 256 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, before leaving on loan move to Real Madrid in the 2012/13 season.
Essien, 34, has also had a spell with AC Milan and most recently, Panathinaikos.
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