by FSL News | 14 Jan, 2017 | African News
Desportivo Mafra defender Juary Soares equalizer for the debutants in the 90th minute as Guinea-Bissau held host Gabon to a 1-1 draw in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations opener at the Stade de l’Amitié in Libreville on Saturday evening.
The Panthers took the lead in 52 minutes when superstar Borussia Dortmund goal poacher Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned in Denis Bouanga’s cross-shot.
However, the heavily built centre-back, Juary Soares who was born in Guinea-Bissau, but raised in Portugal rising highest from a set-piece to shocked the home crowd.
The goal sparked wild celebrations and was the least Guinea-Bissau deserved from a Group A fixture that only sparked into life after half-time.
The Gabon captain went close to doubling the hosts lead in the 69th minute, but he was unable to direct his volley attempt from a Mario Lemina cross on target.
Gabon coach Jose Antonio Camacho: “It’s very difficult to win the first match in these tournaments. For the next match, we have to fight tooth and nail.”
Guinea-Bissau coach Baciro Cande: “We are very, very happy. Now we have the motivation to go as far as possible.”
In the other late group game, Burkina Faso fought back to secure a 1-1 draw with Cameroon on the opening day of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Gabon (0) 1 (Aubameyang 52′)
Guinea-Bissau (0) 1 (Juary Soares 90+1′)
Gabon: Ovono; Palun, E.Manga, Appindangoye, Obiang – Tandjingora (Poko 84′), Lemina (Kanga 73′), Ndong – Evouna (Aboué 88′), Aubameyang, Bouanga
Guinea-Bissau: Jonas; Dabo, Juary, Rudinilson, Soares – Zezinho, Santos (Aldair 75′), Nanissio, Brito – Camara (F.Mendy 66′), Mario (Piqueti 62′)
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by FSL News | 13 Jan, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
AFCON 2019 qualifiers Group F: Sierra Leone, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya
Sierra Leone government has assured Leone Stars of its ‘full support’ in their quest to reach African Nations Cup 2019 in Cameroon.
Leone Stars were drawn alongside Ghana Black Stars, Kenya, and Ethiopia for the qualifiers, with the draw held in Libreville, Gabon last Thursday evening.
The qualifiers will start in June this year and end in November 2018.
This was revealed by Deputy Minister of Sports Al-Sankoh Conteh following the draws for 32nd edition of the biennial international men’s football championship organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Draw In Full
Despite not qualifying for this month’s tournament in Gabon, the Deputy Minister was delighted with the team spirit after the 1-1 draw against the holders Ivory Coast in Bouake September 2016.
Sierra Leone last participated in the continental big stage 21 years ago in South Africa 1996, where Mohamed Kallon age 16, became the tournament’s youngest player and scored the winning goal for Sierra Leone in a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso.
“The government is willing to give all the necessary support to ensure we have early planned and mobilized the most qualified and best of our players without any bias,” Al-Sankoh said.
“As a government, we are very much confident that Sierra Leone will qualify for AFCON 2019 in Cameroon, we may take the first position in our group or qualify as best losers.”
“I reiterated, we’re optimistic that we have what it takes, Leone Stars winning all our home matches and will take points from our away matches in Kenya, Ethiopia or Ghana,” The Deputy Minister passionately said while answering questions from footballsierraleone.net
The 12 group winners will join the host country, Cameroon, along with the best three second-placed teams in the tournament finals.
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by FSL News | 12 Jan, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is drawn 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.
Only the winners of each group will join the host country in the final tournament as well as the best 3 runner-ups in all 12 Groups.
The qualifiers will starts in June this year and end in November 2018.
The Leone Stars once again will have the chance to fight for a qualifying spot for the 32nd edition of the biennial international men’s football championship of Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Ghanaian coach Sellas Tetteh failed to qualify Sierra Leone as he narrowly missed out on securing qualification to this month’s tournament in Gabon after drawing 1-1 with Ivory Coast in Bouake in September 2016.
The last time Sierra Leone participated in the continental big stage was 21 years ago South Africa 1996.
Draw in full:
A: Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Sao Tome/Madagascar
B: Cameroon, Morocco, Malawi, Comoros/Mauritius
C: Mali, Gabon, Burundi, Djibouti/South Sudan
D: Algeria, Togo, Benin, The Gambia
E: Nigeria, South Africa, Libya, Seychelles
F: Ghana, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Kenya
G: DR Congo, Congo, Zimbabwe, Liberia
H: Ivory Coast, Guinea, Central African Republic, Rwanda
I: Burkina Faso, Angola, Botswana, Mauritania
J: Tunisia, Egypt, Niger, Swaziland
K: Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia
L: Cape Verde, Uganda, Tanzania, Lesotho
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by FSL News | 12 Jan, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Former AIK striker, Mohamed Bangura pictured, has joined Swedish Superettan outfit, Dalkurd FF.
He last signed a three-year deal in December 2015 with China League One side Dalian Yifang making 24 appearances scoring three goals.
However, Bangura who departed Dalian Yifang has signed a new one-year deal in Sweden with the second-tier side.
“Feels great to have come to Dalkurd FF, said the Leone star striker. “I have seen Dalkurd played the way I prefer to play football.
“My expectations for the season are that I help Dalkurd gain promotion to the top flight, Bangura was quoted as saying.
Bangura has had spells with IFK Värnamo, Celtic, Elfsborg, Istanbul Basaksehir and AIK before moving to China.
Bangura made his Sierra Leone debut against Egypt which ended in a 1–1 draw, during 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match in September 2010.
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by FSL News | 12 Jan, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Thieves robbed the resident of former Sierra Leone player Serry Turay and made away with important documents and valuables, the former Leone Stars attacker confirmed on Thursday.
The police will start investigating after Serry Turay who is now the Head Coach of the Sierra Leone National Cricket team reported the incident that occurred on Wednesday night at his Kingtom resident in Freetown, to the Criminal Investigate Department (CID) today.
The value of the items stolen includes Passports, bank cards, credit cards, Swedish ID and other important documents.
“I’m confused at the moment. I’m at the CID office now giving a statement to the police,” The former aggressive striker told footballsierraleone.net.
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -