by FSL News | 2 Dec, 2016 | African News
Ghana finished third in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after beating South Africa in the third-place match on Friday at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.
Defender Linda Eshun put the Ghanaians ahead with the only goal just after the break to ensure the Black Queens went home with some pride, after yet again failing to break the jinx as far as the ultimate at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is concerned.
It was the third time that the West Africans had finished third after 2000 and 2004, whilst the Banyana Banyana replicated their performance two years ago in Namibia.
CAF: Banyana Banyana failed to collect a medal at the 2016 African Women’s Nations Cup played in Cameroon.
South Africa will yet again live to regret the countless goal scoring chances that came their way in an encounter that they were by far the better side in the opening half. They could have at least ended the first half with a lead but failed to make their dominance and control of the game count on the scoring cards.
Midfielder Refiloe Jane headed wide on 22 minutes from close range before Ghana goalie Patricia Mantey denied the former again on the half-hour mark after Andisiwe Mgcoyi had put her through.
Midway, the South Africans were dealt a huge blow when central defender Bambanani Mbane was stretched off and her place taken by Noko Matlou.
With the Ghanaians struggling in search of their feet, goalie Mantey was at her best yet again parrying a Janine Van Wyk free-kick just before the break.
Three minutes into the second half, Eshun scrambled home from a corner to give the Ghanaians a lead that they will hold on for the remainder of the game.
The South Africans had some good moments to draw level with Leandra Smeda, Mgcoyi and Mamello Makhabane all fluffing golden opportunities to equalise.
The introduction of skilful forward Thembi Kgatlana in the dying moments almost salvaged a point for the South Africans but it was little too late as Ghana held on to victory.
Meanwhile, Nigeria will lock horn on Saturday with host nation Cameroon in the grand finale. Hosts Cameroon are confident ahead of their grand finale in the women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Yaounde.
The Cameroonian’s are aiming to win their first title and also avenge their 2014 defeat by Nigeria. The Indomitable Lionesses lost 2-0 two years ago and were also beaten by Nigeria in their other appearances in the final in 2004.
CAF! @football_sierra
by FSL News | 30 Nov, 2016 | Players Abroad News
Sohag Sporting club midfielder Abdul Sama Mannah has set his sights on becoming a regular goalscorer after opening his Sohag accounts since joining the Egyptian outfit.
Mannah was disappointed not being able to find the net in the last two seasons despite he was still influential enough for his side.
Mannah scored his first league goal away to Telephonat Bani Sweif in his side’s 2-1 defeat on Wednesday afternoon.
The Sierra Leone-born marked his goal with a celebratory post on his official Facebook account.
And he told footballsierraleone.net, “Happy with my goal but disappointed with the defeat.”
His goal follows growing rumours of Mannah looking for a move to Europe, with few clubs already interesting in the agile player.
Sohag are presently second in the Egyptian 2nd division group 1 standing – six points adrift of leaders Al Asyoty Sport.
@football_sierra / By Hatem Karim in Egypt
by FSL News | 28 Nov, 2016 | African News
Wilfried Zaha has decided to play international football for Ivory Coast after failing to add to the two England caps he won in friendlies.
The announcement comes ahead of the African Cup of Nations, which is being played in the middle of the Premier League season in January.
The 24-year-old Crystal Palace winger was an England Under-21 team regular before stepping up to the senior side and earning caps against Sweden, in November 2012, and Scotland, in August 2013.
But because neither match was a competitive fixture, Zaha has been able to commit to the Ivory Coast, the country’s national football association announced on Sunday.
It announced in a statement: “The Ivorian-English attacking midfielder Wilfried Zaha has chosen to play for the Elephants, under the colours of the Ivory Coast, his country of origin. The player has sent, on this Sunday November 27 2016, correspondence to FIFA to change his national team.
“In the presence of his father, of Augustin Sidy Diallo (president of the FIF) and Michel Dussuyer (Elephants coach), he signed at the bottom of the demand to change his sporting nationality addressed to FIFA.
“Born on November 10 in Abidjan, Wilfried Zaha grew up in England, the country of which he made two appearances in friendly matches. However the Crystal Palace player remains eligible to play for the Ivory Coast.”
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 26 Nov, 2016 | African News
Victor Moses winner helps Chelsea FC to come from behind to win a seventh straight league game in a pulsating London derby at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Goals either side of half-time from Spanish international Pedro and the Nigerian winger Victor Moses were enough to cancel out Christian Eriksen’s opener.
The victory preserved Antonio Conte’s side place at the top of the summit and end Tottenham Premier League unbeaten run this season.
The Nigerian who has scored four times in 14 appearances for Chelsea took to twitter to express his delight after full time, he said. “What a feeling! So happy to get the win in such a big game. Thankful to score and help the team! Good to celebrate with @iam_davido too #CFC.”
He was named Man of the match as Chelsea beat Middlesbrough last weekend and he was also picked as the top performer against Spurs.
Chelsea (3-4-3): Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c), Moses (Ivanovic 80), Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro (Oscar 83), Diego Costa, Hazard (Willian 76).
Unused subs Begovic, Fabregas, Chalobah, Batshuayi.
Scorers Pedro 44, Moses 51
Booked David Luiz 18, Willian 85
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Wimmer; Wanyama, Dembele; Son (Winks 65), Alli (N’Koudou 73), Eriksen, Kane.
Unused subs Vorm, Carter-Vickers, Trippier, Onomah, Janssen.
Scorer Eriksen 11
Booked Dembele 26
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 25 Nov, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Ghanaian born Sierra Leone’s National Team Coach, Sellas Tetteh, according to media reports from his native Ghana, has confirmed that the National FA owes him two months backlog wages.
Tetteh, 59, a former Liberty Professionals coach, would not sign a long-term deal with the Leone Stars until all his outstanding financial arrears are cleared.
Though he could not comment when Football Sierra Leone contacted him, Tetteh had however told Graphic Sports in Ghana that, “For now, it’s 50-50 because I’m still waiting for my two-month salary arrears before I could consider their offer.”
“The people really want me back because of the work I did. They are not playing any league there. I have to do a lot of groundwork to build a team for the qualifiers,” Tetteh explained.
Tetteh also indicated that: ”Now, the government through the ministry has joined the FA to let me stay because they are impressed with my work.”
Tetteh was the architect of Ghana glory during the 2009 Under-20 World Cup which they won.
He was appointed as caretaker coach for Sierra Leone in August 2015. His initial contract expired last October after Leone Stars were eliminated in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers by Chad before extending his stay.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
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