by FSL News | 7 Feb, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
In Photo: Sierra Leone 2016 FA Cup Champions, FC Johansen
The stage is set: Sierra Leone 2016 FA Cup Champions, FC Johansen, have a tough test ahead of them as they take on their Moroccan counterparts, Fath Union Sport de Rabat (FUS Rabat) in the first leg preliminary of the 53rd edition of the TOTAL CAF Champions league in Freetown on Saturday.
The Moroccans are very experienced in the continental stage. They were unbeaten in last season’s CAF Confederation cup group stage. They topped Group B taking 12 points from their six group stage matches and even seeing off Tunisian heavyweights Etoile du Sahel.
However, since missing out of reaching the Confederation Cup final following a 1-1 draw against Algerian side Mouloudia Bejaia in Morocco after a goalless first leg, the side from Rabat has been struggling this season.
They have only won once in their last five matches in the Moroccan Championship (known as Botola Maroc Telecom).
Former Morocco international, Hoalid Regragui’s side will find their host a hard nut to crack.
John Keister’s men on the other hand, despite no national championship in Sierra Leone, have recently tested their might against the Liberian Champions Barracks Young Controllers (BYC) and the Liberian CAF Confederation representative Club Brewery in a double-friendly tie in Liberia a few days ago.
FC Johansen suffered a 2-1 defeat in Liberia to BYC and won against Club Brewery, but notwithstanding, they will need to work overtime if they are to overpower FUS Rabat in Freetown.
Back in 2013, Johansen – then debutants in the CAF confederation were eliminated by Barrack YC II following a 1-0 aggregate defeat.
Meanwhile, The Moroccans will be leaving the shores of Morocco on Wednesday night for Freetown after a 1-0 defeat to RSB Berkane last Friday.
Friday’s defeat to RS Berkane means the Rabat-based club are 13 positions with 17 points from 16 matches heading into their crunch test in Freetown.
Rabat’s technical staffs have confirmed they will have two training sessions in Sierra Leone before taking on their hosts.
Rabat striker Gambian-born Njie Yusupha, 23, is a player to watch. The son of Gambian football legend, Biri-Biri, signed for the Rabat-based club from Real de Banjul and has been a revelation since joining the club.
The return leg in Rabat will be at the Stade de FUS, in Rabat in a week’s time from this Saturday.
First Round CAF Champions League preliminary
Sat 11/02/2017 Johansen (SLE) v FUS Rabat (MAR)
Date: 17/02/2017 FUS Rabat (MAR) v Johansen (SLE)
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by FSL News | 7 Feb, 2017 | Players Abroad News
The 19-year-old attacker Victor Mansaray pictured will continue to learn his trade while playing for USL’s Eastern Conference side FC Cincinnati on loan from Seattle Sounders for the 2017 campaign.
Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone the youngster has been with the Sounders since entering their academy during the 2012-13 seasons.
He made an immediate impact by scoring 11 goals in 20 appearances for the U-16’s side and followed it up the following season with a team-leading 18 goals in 24 games.
USL’s Eastern Conference FC Cincinnati announced that they have signed Seattle’s United States U20 international on loan in preparation for the 2017 season.
“We are pleased to add Victor to FCC, a young attacking player who is currently with our U20 National Team and voted as the No. 1 U-20 player in the USL in 2016,” said Head Coach John Harkes. “We are looking forward to working with him and accelerating his development.”
He made his MLS debut against FC Dallas during the 2015 campaign, at the ripe old age of 18 years and 34 days.
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by FSL News | 5 Feb, 2017 | African News, Video & News
Stade de l’Amitié, Africa Cup of Nations final – Egypt 1 (Elneny 22) Cameroon 2 (N’Koulou 59, Aboubakar 88)
Former Coton Sports striker Vincent Aboubakar, scored the winning goal against Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday as Cameroon beat Egypt 2-1.
Cameroon’s forward Vincent Aboubakar celebrates scoring the team’s second goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final football match between Egypt and Cameroon at the Stade de l’Amitie Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville on February 5, 2017.AFP
Cameroon ended a 15-year wait to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the fifth time, a fantastic late individual goal from Vincent Aboubakar sealing the victory as the Indomitable Lions came from a goal behind.
Egypt, looking to win their eighth Africa Cup of Nations, looked well set to repeat their favorite 1-0 scoreline after Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny rifled home to beat Fabrice Ondoa midway through the opening half.
But an inspired double substitution from coach Hugo Broos turned the final on its head, first Nicolas N’Koulou heading his side back into contention and, with extra time looking a certainty, Aboubakar controlled a long ball from Sebastien Siani before flicking the ball over Ali Gabr and firing home the winner.
It’s the first time Egypt have been defeated in the final since 1952 and Cameroon now become the second most successful side in the tournament’s history.
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by FSL News | 5 Feb, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Partick Thistle defender Mustapha Dumbuya was delighted to get back out on the pitch despite his side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Aberdeen on Saturday.
Hosts Aberdeen moved up to second place in the Scottish Premiership with a hard-fought win over Partick Thistle at Pittodrie.
The Sierra Leone international had been a regular for the Jags since joining the club in September 2015.
However, Dumbuya was unfortunate and has been on the sidelined since rupturing his Achilles tendon last summer.
“Yes, I was very pleased to be back,” he said. “And it was my first start with the first team playing at the top level again. Now I just need to work on getting fit.
“We were unlucky to lose against Aberdeen, as we were the better side for the majority of the game and they score two late goals and we couldn’t take our chances,” Dumbuya told footballsierraleone.net
Partick Thistle defender Mustapha Dumbuya was delighted to get back out on the pitch despite his side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Aberdeen on Saturday.
Jayden Stockley and Ryan Christie scored the goals for the home side in the 72′ and 92′ minutes respectively.
The Firhill side down to ninth after the away defeat.
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by FSL News | 5 Feb, 2017 | Players Abroad News
After just twelve months at the club, former Leicester City product Alie Sesay has officially left English League Two outfit, Barnet Football Club.
The 23-year-old joined the Bees from Leicester City last January 15, 2016, on an 18-month contract, but both he and the club have agreed to terminate it with immediate effect.
Sesay made 21 appearances for the Bees and his last appearance came as a substitute in the Boxing Day win at Cheltenham Town.
A Barnet statement reads: “Barnet Football Club can confirm we have come to an agreement to cancel Alie Sesay’s contract by mutual consent. Everyone at Barnet Football Club would like to thank Alie for his contribution and wish him the very best of luck in future.”
The Sierra Leone international signed his first professional contract 15 March 2013 with Leicester City and was sent to Colchester United in 2014 on a loan deal.
He later signed a one-month loan deal with Cambridge United in October 2015 before joining Barnet.
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