by FSL News | 9 Mar, 2017 | African News
Tunisian top flight club, Club Africain, will be without January acquisition striker Matthew Rusike (pictured) for the 2017 Total CAF Confederations Cup first round home and away ties against the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces FC (RSLAF).
The former Kaizer Chiefs forward, who made 30 appearances for Swedish side Helsingborg, scoring four goals in the process before leaving the club last year is not eligible to face RSLAF.
Football Sierra Leone understands Rusike, who signed unexpectedly documents arrived one day after sending the final list of eligible players to play the competition.
The two sides will go head-to-head for the first time ever on Sunday, March 12th, 2017 at the Stade Olympique de Radès in the first leg double header in Tunis and the second leg in Freetown, Sierra Leone the following weekend.
Coach Chiheb Ellili will have to do without the former Helsingborgs IF player in their bid to reach the next stage of the competition.
However, Algerian referee Mehdi Abid Charef will be the centreman to officiate the contest between Tunisian Club Africain and RSLAF in the first round of 2017 Total CAF Confederations Cup.
Abid Charef, 36, has been a FIFA referee since 2011 and was the man who handled Nigeria’s 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in May 2016.
He also took charge of the CAF Under-20 Championship finals between Ghana and Egypt in 2013 as well as the Group B clash between Gabon and DR Congo match which ended 0-0.
Meanwhile, It would be recalled that RSLAF eliminated Nigerian club Wikki Tourists 2-1 on aggregate in the preliminary stage.
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by FSL News | 8 Mar, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone international, John Kamara, was delighted with a winning debut for FK Kaisar following a 1-0 victory over FK Okzhetpes Kokshetau on Wednesday in the league opener.
The midfielder, who arrived from FC Riga, signed a one-year deal a few weeks ago played from the start and hailed the character within the side after their late winning at home.
Montenegro attacker, Stefan Nikolić scored the only goal in the 92nd minutes.
Speaking after his side’s league opening victory, he said: “It’s a very important win, so I am happy for the three points and with my first game in Kazakhstan Premier League.”
“We are delighted to get three points. It’s a new experience for me here, FK Okzhetpes Kokshetau was excellent, but I thought we were the better side and the result went in our favour.”
“The important thing is that we started with a victory in which we can build on,” the Leone Stars midfielder told footballsierraleone.net UK.
“We controlled the ball well and, in truth, it was quite hard for us.” admitted Kamara.
After an impressive showing, Kamara believes he can be the midfield anchorman to drive the club forward.
FK Kaisar will face FK Taraz in their next league encounter on March 11, 2017, at their Astana Artificial Turf.
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by FSL News | 8 Mar, 2017 | African News
Former Algeria Under-23 international Youcef Touati has died following a car crash in France.
The accident involving the Mouloudia Bejaia midfielder, 27, took place on Sunday, with the death of the Algerian club’s player confirmed on Monday.
One of Touati’s former sides, Red Star in France, led the tributes.
“It’s with profound sadness and tremendous pain that Red Star learnt of the death of Youcef Touati,” the Paris-based club said.
“He was with Red Star during the 2011-12 season where everyone will remember his ‘joie de vivre’ and talent.
“Red Star lost a member of its family today.”
After spells with a variety of lower tier French sides, Touati – an attacking midfielder known for his dribbling – joined Bejaia in the middle of last year.
He was part of the Bejaia team that reached its first continental cup final, as the Algerians lost to 2015 African champions TP Mazembe in the 2016 Confederation Cup final.
“He was really highly-rated as a youngster,” Algerian football journalist Maher Mezahi told BBC Sport.
(C) BBC
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by FSL News | 7 Mar, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Sparta Rotterdam young centre-back, Abdul Bai Kamara, has confirmed his willingness to represent Sierra Leone.
The 20-year-old, who joined the Eredivisie first tier side on a two-year deal until 30.06.2018 last summer with an option for one additional year says he would grab the opportunity to play for his country of birth.
“I was born in Freetown and came to Holland at age 5. I have played a couple of games for the Dutch youth national teams. Bai Kamara told footballsierraleone.net UK.
“I began my career at the youth academy at NEC Nijmegen before signing a two-year contract at Sparta Rotterdam since last summer, I think I’m ready for the task.”
“I Love Sierra Leone and my family are still there and it will be an honour if given the chance.”
The youngster since signing for Sparta Rotterdam has not been a regular but he is not worried about his lack of playing time.
“I was injured for a while but I’m almost back in form and patiently waiting for my chance in the first team. However, I have been playing competitive games with the reserves.”
“When the time is right I will be there and show what I can do for now is to work hard and wait for my chance,” he added.
The former Nijmegen Eendracht Combinatie (NEC) defender have represented Holland under 18, 19 and 20 sides.
Bai Kamara’s side Sparta Rotterdam are presently 14th in the Dutch Eredivisie table.
Sierra Leone are pitted in 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.
Bai Kamara will embrace such opportunity to help Sierra Leone in the race for Afcon 2019.
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by FSL News | 5 Mar, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Leyton Orient prospect Joshua Koroma, impressed while on duty with the London League Two side on Saturday in their fine away win at Rodney Parade, Newport County.
In a relegation dogfight, Leyton Orient put a terrible week behind them to win 4-0 at fellow League Two relegation rivals Newport County with Josh Koroma netting a hat-trick.
The 18-year-old, who is an English player to parents hailing from Sierra Leone was sensational in Wales and had the match ball after a comprehensive display.
Since signing his first professional contract in September 2016, the hat-trick represents Koroma’s first senior goals.
Danny Webb’s team outclassed their host and showed their accuracy in front of goal.
Three vital goals in the first half to take control, midfielder Steven Alzate scored Orient’s opener in the 8th minutes assisted by hat-trick hero Joshua Koroma.
Koroma, who is comfortable playing either on the wing or as a striker, completed the big win, and his hat-trick, with a penalty on 64 minutes to bookmark his name in the O’s history book.
The O’s academy graduate made his first team breakthrough towards the end of last season and look destiny for big things this season.
At age 17, Koroma made his first team debut back in April as a substitute away to Barnet in a 3–0 league defeat at Barnet on 9 April 2016.
Orient’s manager Danny Webb lauded his team performance: “Obviously the result is massive. We are happy, most importantly with an impressive performance.
“We were clinical on the counter attack and our teenagers played like it was a game in the park.”
The O’s remain second from bottom of League Two standings five points adrift from Notts County.
Leyton Orient have been in turmoil since Francesco Becchetti took charge in 2014
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