by FSL News | 4 Feb, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone have been pitted against Senegal in the first round of the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying campaign.
The continental competition is only designed for players, who are playing in their country’s domestic league and qualifiers are arranged regionally.
With the African Football governing body, CAF conducted the draw last Friday, February 3 in Libreville, Gabon, the home-base Leone Stars are scheduled to host the Lions of Teranga in Freetown on the weekend of 14-16 July in the first-leg and the second leg will take place the following weekend in Dakar.
The winner of the double-legged tie will face the winners of the Guinea-Bissau and Guinea clash in the second round with the first leg billed to take place between 11 and 13 August, and those of the return leg the following weekend.
Sierra Leone has eliminated from the 2016 tournament in the preliminary round by Mauritania thanks to a 4-1 aggregate win. The Mauritanians won the first leg 2-1 at the Nouakchott Stadium and six days later they registered a 2-0 victory at the same venue.
Leone Stars chose to host their home leg in Nouakchott because Sierra Leone was unable to host international games due to the Ebola outbreak in the country which forced an international ban on all football and sporting activities in the country then.
In 2014, Sierra Leone was eliminated from the qualifiers in their own backyard by next door neighbor Guinean. The Guineans forced Sierra Leone to a 1-1 draw at the National Stadium in Freetown as the first leg in Conakry ended in a goalless draw.
Senegal, on the other hand, has participated in the final phases of CHAN in 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2016. In 2014, they were eliminated by Mauritania (1-0 and 0-2) and in 2016, it was the Guineans who pushed them away.
Follow the writer @morrisjr88 – Sahr Morris Jr.
by FSL News | 4 Feb, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Aziz Deen-Conteh is keen to play again in the England to resurrect his career after recent dismal spells in Eastern Europe with Moldovan side Zaria Bălți and Georgian top-flight team FC Zugdidi.
The former Chelsea academy product is back in England searching for a new club as a free agent.
Deen-Conteh, 24, answering questions from Football Sierra Leone has said his agent Dimitri Seluk is working to ensure him a deal.
Asked about his motivation, he said: “I don’t know when but I’d like to play again in the England, I’m still waiting.
“I just want to get back playing football again hopefully in England but also depend on the level,” Deen-Conteh told footballsierraleone.net.
As for the future, he added: “I don’t want to go back to Eastern Europe; One or two offers from Russia and one of the clubs in Antalya pre-season training camp.”
“I’m looking for somewhere to call home and enjoy my football, so I can show my ability and what I’m capable of. I’ve not had that feeling of being able to call somewhere home since I left Chelsea.”
The Sierra Leone international represented England at youth level during his time at Chelsea.
The left-back spent the 2013–14 season with Greek club Ergotelis, making seven appearances in the Greek Superleague, before joining Port Vale in November 2014, and was loaned out to Boston United in August 2015.
Deen left Vale in January 2016 without making any first team appearance. He moved on to Moldovan side Zaria Bălți, and Georgian side Zugdidi.
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by FSL News | 2 Feb, 2017 | African News
Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, Stade de Franceville – Cameroon 2 (Ngadeu-Ngadjui 72, Bassogog 90+3) Ghana 0
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon secured their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations final after securing a 2-0 win over Ghana in their semi-final tie at the Stade de Franceville on Thursday.
Cameroon sealed the win in stoppage time, as Christian Bassogog calmly slotted past Brimah to secure their spot in Sunday’s final against Egypt.
The Indomitable Lions got off to an encouraging start and managed to force Razak Brimah into a couple fine saves, while Adolphe Teikeu saw his header cleared off the line.
Ghana was on the back foot in the opening 25 minutes but eventually grew into the encounter as the half went on, although chances were hard to come by.
The Black Stars had a wonderful chance to break the deadlock in the 40th minute when Jordan Ayew broke through on goal, however, the forward dragged his effort wide.
There was a lively tempo to the encounter, however, the score remained goalless as the sides entered the halftime break.
Fabrice Ondoa came to Cameroon’s rescue in the 60th minute, as he produced a fine save to keep out Mubarak Wakaso’s curling free-kick.
Cameroon eventually broke the deadlock in the 71st minute as an unmarked Michael Ngadeu was allowed to slot home at the far post, 1-0.
Avram Grant responded by introducing Asamoah Gyan in the 75th minute, as they looked for a way back into the encounter, but they failed eventually.
They were hit with a 2v1 break. Aboubakar played in Bassagog, who carried it forward 30 yards and flipped the ball past Razak to ignite delirious celebrations!
Ghana will now face Burkina Faso in the third and fourth play-off on Saturday evening.
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by FSL News | 1 Feb, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone and former Nyköpings BIS youngster Tejan Bah has signed for another Swedish club Värmdö IF.
The Swedish Division 2, Norra Svealand side have successfully wrapped up a one-year deal for the 20-year-old.
Bah will link-up with former boss Anders Ungh. Bah and Anders worked together at Konyaspor before the defensive midfielder joined Hammarby in 2014.
“I’m happy to have signed for Värmdö IF, it was an easy decision for me because of my former boss Anders Ungh,” Bah told footballsierraleone.net
“Am looking forward to the new adventure” he added.
Last season he made 10 appearances for Boo FF scoring six goals before he suffered an ankle injury during the second half of the season.
Bah at age 17 was one of the finest growing youngsters that came through the youth ranks at Konyaspor KIF.
He was among the best youth players at the 2014 Gothia Cup, scoring a goal against Newcastle at the world’s largest international youth football tournament in Gothenburg.
Bah has had spells with Konyaspor, Hammarby, Nyköpings and last season with Boo FF in Sweden
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by FSL News | 1 Feb, 2017 | African News
Egypt’s 44-year-old goalkeeper saved two penalties as the seven-times champions reached the Africa Cup of Nations final by edging out Burkina Faso 4-3 in a semi-final shootout on Wednesday.
El Hadary saved the last two kicks from Burkina Faso after Egypt had squandered their opening shot and looked to be on their way out of the tournament.
The veteran shot-stopper, who won titles in 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010, was busy in the game, particularly in the closing stages as he made a fine stop from Traoré’s free-kick and tipped over an effort from Banou Diawara on the stroke of full-time.
Egypt’s long unbeaten run at Africa Cup of Nations finals goes on, but they were fortunate to beat Burkina Faso on penalties.
The oldest player to compete at continental big stage stopped penalties from his opposite number, Hervé Koffi, and Bertrand Traoré
The match ended in a 1-1 draw after the former Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah gave Egypt a 66th-minute lead but Burkina equalised seven minutes later through Aristide Bancé.
Egypt, on course for a record-extending eighth title, now await their opponents in Sunday’s final in Libreville as Ghana and Cameroon play on Thursday in Franceville in the second semi.
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -