by FSL News | 24 Nov, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
In the latest Fifa ranking for November, which was announced on Thursday, Sierra Leone ranked as the 96th best team in the World from 97th in October.
Since they were eliminated in Bouake from the 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier in September, the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone have not played any competitive matches.
Leone Stars, who played to a 1-1 draw against the reigning African champions two months ago, are now the 24th best team in Africa.
On the Continent, Senegal took over as Africa’s best team, while Cote d’Ivoire moved from number one to joint second position with Tunisia on the continent.
Argentina remains top in the world and Brazil moved to second, with reigning world champions, Germany dropping one spot to third.
Copa America champions Chile, and Belgium makes up the top five.
Colombia, France, Euro 2016 champions Portugal, Uruguay and Spain make up the top ten spots.
Top Ten in the world: Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Chile, Belgium, Colombia, France, Portugal, Uruguay, Spain.
Top Ten in Africa: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Congo DR, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ghana, and Morocco.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 23 Nov, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Football administrators, players, journalists as well as enthusiasts in his native country Sierra Leone have been paying tribute to deceased legendary football administrator Alhaji Unisa ‘Awoko’ Alim Sesay.
The former East End Lions legend died in Freetown on Tuesday after battling illness, and once again death has struck a brutal blow against the country’s football fraternity.
The Veteran football administrator Alhaji Unisa Alim Sesay was the Chairman Steering Committee Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) before his death.
Atto Mensah, Ghanaian-born Sierra Leonean, who made his international debut in Leone Stars 2-0 victory over Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Freetown during 1988 Nations Cup qualifiers, said the news of the great Alhaji Sesay’s demise comes as a huge shock to many Sierra Leoneans and says the country’s social media platforms has been flooding with tributes for the man he describes as a ‘great administrator with a great personality’.
Presenter and Commentator Abu Bakarr Kanu said, ‘It’s a huge shock for us in football. Alhaji will never be forgotten as he is part of the country’s soccer history.’
Deputy Minister of Sports, Al-Sankoh told footballsierraleone.net, ‘I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family members and friends of the Late Alhaji Unisa Alim Sesay, the memories of the late icon will never die, a very friendly character, a true patriot and an iconic sports administrator.’
Al-Sankoh also describes the late Awoko as a dedicated and passionate community activist.
Renowned journalist, Sierra Leone’s Press attaché in Brussels, Chernor Ojuko Sesay posted on his official facebook page: “Awoko holds the enviable record as the longest serving football Secretary-General in the history of Sierra Leone.”
Ojuku reiterated that Awoko served East End Lions one of the two biggest and most successful football clubs dedicatedly for 21 years before resigning and later founded the Anti-Drugs Football Club.
Ojuku maintained that for over 30 years, Awoko has been a key figure in the election of every Sierra Leone Football Association President, ranging from Benji Davies, Alhaji Saramadi Kabba, Justice Tolla-Thompson, Nahim Khadi and Isha Johansen.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 21 Nov, 2016 | African News, Sport News
World football body FIFA has suspended its annual $1.2m grant to the Sierra Leone FA until after an investigation into corruption allegations are completed by the government.
Football Sierra Leone understands today that following the visit by the FIFA Secretary General to Sierra Leone over the weekend, the world body agrees with the ministry of sports and the FA to allow the anti-corruption commission to come out with its findings before the grant is released.
FIFA will also wait for the FA to publish its audited reports before the grant is deposited in their account.
Samoura, who met with government officials in Freetown and Africa’s only female football association president, Isha Johansen has called for transparency in the game, adding that as the country gets $1.2 million annually from FIFA for developing football, it should be used accordingly.
In a visit that ended on Saturday, Samoura also talked about FIFA’s new anti-corruption drive, urging the nation’s governing football body to be transparent and settle their differences with rival members as one family.
In September, it would be recalled that SLFA president Isha Johansen was detained and questioned for alleged mismanagement of funds received by the SLFA since February, by Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). She was later released without charge.
Fifa recognises the role of the government to facilitate the dialogue and support the SLFA in resolving the on-going impasse.
The match-fixing issue of 15 suspended national players and officials to be dealt with in accordance with the SLFA and FIFA status, as FIFA hold zero tolerance policy to match-fixing.
At a meeting which was aimed at restoring peace, It’s was also agreed that Congress be conducted in a free and fair manner in accordance with the SLFA statute and integrity checks for potential SLFA delegates were decided.
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by FSL News | 21 Nov, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
World Football governing body (FIFA) Secretary General Fatma Samoura has said the federation will support Sierra Leone if they bid for the right to host the 2018 Under-17 Women’s World Cup. (WOMEN’S GAME…SLFA boss Isha Johansen & FIFA Scribe Fatma Samoura)
Samoura made this statement during her recent visit to Sierra Leone where she requested a meeting with the country’s President Ernest Bai Koroma, sports ministry officials and executive committee members of the Sierra Leone Football Association.
In her meeting with members of the press to climax her two-day visit in Freetown, Madam Samoura said: “I bring good news about the possibility for Sierra Leone to host the next FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.”
“I have promised President Koroma that FIFA will support Sierra Leone if they bid. We’ll make sure that they have all the tools and mechanism and the means you need to get that competition being hosted by the country.”
Madam Samoura said it an opportunity for Sierra Leone to host such tournament which will be the first African nation to do so since its inception in 2008 when New Zealand hosted it.
Trinidad and Tobago, Azerbaijan, Costa Rica and Jordan have all hosted the 16 team’s biennial international women’s youth football championship and the FIFA Secretary further revealed that she has got the assurance from the country’s sports minister to supports the idea of having the tournament in the West Africa nation.
“I’m sure we’ll be linking up with the SLFA President Isha Johansen to make it a reality and when I come to Sierra Leone next time I hope it is to declare to the rest of the world that Sierra Leone has been successful in bidding to host the 2018 U-17 Women’s World Cup,” she said.
Sierra Leone has never hosted any senior or junior major international football tournament under the umbrella of FIFA and possibility in winning such bid would be a big boost for the country.
Follow the writer @morrisjr88 – Sahr Morris Jr.
by FSL News | 21 Nov, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
The Secretary-General of the World football governing body (FIFA) Fatma Samoura has urged the Government of Sierra Leone through the Sports Ministry to resolve the long and unhealthy dispute in the country’s football.
In her two days visit which was aimed at restoring peace within the Sierra Leone football family and to ensure that there is no political interference in the day-to-day running of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), the FIFA scribe called on the country’s sports minister to show leadership and resolve the turmoil through dialogue.
She said: “I am calling on the minister to show his leadership to bring the football family in a round table for peace and sanity to prevail in Sierra Leone football and not for anyone personal gain or ego.
“We should allow our youth to play our beautiful game, the game we all love in an adequate environment. I want football to the consulate the peace and political stability in the country and I will be happy after my departure that all parties will put aside everything and focus on promoting the game.”
The former senior United Nations (UN) official who was also Country Director for World Food Programme (WFP) Djibouti and Cameroon said only dialogue can resolve the existing football problems.
The Minister of Sports Ahmed Khanou assured the FIFA scribe that the Government remains committed towards the development of football in the country and pledged to work towards bringing lasting peace in the country’s football impasse.
He said: “The government and the Sports ministry will continue to play its leadership role and will not interfere in the affairs of running the game. My ministry will ensure we put an end to these problems within the football family.”
Sierra Leone football has endured and still faced with the long stalemate since August 3, 2013, when Isha Johansen was elected the country’s first female president in a controversial election that saw two of her main contender; Rodney Michael and former Inter Milan striker Mohamed Kallon were both disqualified 48-hrs before the elective congress on the pretext of violating FIFA statutes.
Several attempts have been made by both internal and external bodies including the country’s President, His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma to resolve the dispute but to no avail.
Follow the writer @morrisjr88 – Sahr Morris Jr.
Sierra Leone | Highlights -