by FSL News | 1 Nov, 2016 | Players Abroad News
Southampton ace Nathan Redmond, who plays with the midfielder for England’s Under-21s side has revealed that the Sierra Leone-born loan spell with Italian outfit Napoli was the best period of his career so far.
Chalobah, 21, finally settle into the Chelsea first team under Italian Coach Antonio Conte.
Since making his debut in Chelsea’s 4-2 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the League Cup in September, he has been part of all recent victories with the London club.
Chalobah linked up with the Serie A giants in a season-long deal last summer making only appearances in total under Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri.
Speaking to The Sun about the prospect of moving abroad himself, the winger said: “I was blessed to be given enough chances by Birmingham and Norwich.
“But if I was coming through and I was asked to go abroad, I’d not have shied away from it either.
“Nathaniel told me it was the best year he had enjoyed in his career. He learned so much about Italian tactics and their lifestyle. After six months out there he came back speaking near-enough fluent Italian.
“It opens up your mind to a lot more. When you are in school, you don’t really think you need to speak Spanish, French or Italian but when you’re in this game and you’re travelling all the time, it would be nice to have.”
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by FSL News | 31 Oct, 2016 | Players Abroad News
AFC United beat Atvidaberg 3-0 in the Swedish second-tier to achieve automatic promotion to the Swedish Allsvenskan after goals from Mohamed Buya Turay, Omar Eddahri, and Ferid Ali.
A remarkable Mohamed Buya Turay goal run continued over the weekend with his 10th goal of the season in the Swedish second-tier for AFC United.
The Sierra Leone-born scored the opening goal for AFC in a 3-0 victory over Atvidaberg as his side gain automatic promotion to the Swedish top flight with a game to go.
The proud youngster was pleased to show off his national colours inside the AFC locker room after acknowledging he will playing in the top flight next season.
“A Proud moment for me and my teammates,” he told footballsierraleone.net.
“I’m pleased with myself, hopefully, next season I hope to keep my goal scoring form, I will be relishing the challenge scoring more goals in the Allsvenskan against the top Swedish clubs.”
AFC will take on Halmstads BK in the league final round of matches on Saturday the 5th November.
Turay is amongst the top scorers in the division, the 21-year-old, who has been very instrumental since his arrival in Sweden has yet to be recognised on an international level.
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by FSL News | 31 Oct, 2016 | Players Abroad News, Sport News
The 2016 Arlington Soccer League final was played between the two Sierra Leonean teams in the league, Freetown United USA and Sierra Delta. United USA emerged as champions by beating Delta 4-3 at the Wakefield High School in Arlington Virginia on Saturday, October 29, 2016. Freetown United USA punched their ticket to the final by walloping Sudan FC 5-0 and Sierra Delta thumped Mogotillo FC 3-1.
The match started with Freetown United USA on the ascendancy but against the run of play, Sierra Delta took the lead through Alusine Bangura after a horrible mistake by United’s defender Christopher Kamara, who tried to nutmeg Sierra Delta’s Alimamy Jabbie and lost the ball.
Freetown United Crowned Champions in the US
The response from United was swift as Kelly Marrah banged in the equaliser two minutes later. Freetown United USA coach Ayodele Warburton quickly made a tactical switch by moving Kelly Marrah to left midfield and the ever imposing Lamin Suma to the right.
The move immediately pay dividends as Lamin Suma toyed with Sierra Delta’s left back Amadu Jalloh “Jorgoh” and made an incisive pass to the final Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kelly Marrah, who easily tapped home his second goal to give Freetown United USA a 2-1 goal lead before half time.
Defending Champions Sierra Delta
Freetown United USA made a substitution during the second half with Raymond Asamoah coming off with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Chidi.
Alimamy Jabbie of Sierra Delta was sent off with about 20 minutes into the second half for a second bookable offence and the Sierra Delta coach Awolo immediately made a judicious move by bringing in Rashid “Wavey” for the ineffective left back “Jorgoh”. Also thrown into the fray by Sierra Delta was veteran striker Yusufu Sindeh “Echay”.
Coach Ayodele Warburton of Freetown United USA with the winning trophy
The move energised the Sierra Delta team and with a man down, they equalised through substitute “Wavey”. With the game at 2-2, the response again from Freetown United USA was rapid as the final MVP Kelly Marrah immediately made it 3-2 after a receiving a lovely pass from Lamin Suma to get his hat trick.
Sierra Delta were definitely not willing to relinquish their crown as defending champions as they tied the game again through veteran striker “Echay” after a mix up in the Freetown United USA defence. With 8 minutes to full time, the game was tied 3-3. Freetown United USA coach Ayodele Warburton to the dismay of the fans replaced midfielder Jacques Koula with Bako Bockarie.
Abdulai Bun Mansaray was excellent in defence for Sierra Delta even though he tackled his teammate who had to be replaced. “Echay” was transformed from a hero to villain after he disgracefully lashed out at Freetown United’s substitute Bako Bockarie in an off the ball incident and was immediately shown the red card reducing Sierra Delta to nine men.
Bako then made a brilliant move in the 89th minute and culled a lovely pass to Lamin Suma in the Sierra Delta 18 yard box. As Lamin was about to receive the pass, he was kicked on the head by Sierra Delta’s defender Issa and Sierra Delta’s indiscipline woes continued as the referee awarded Freetown United a penalty kick. The penalty was converted by Freetown United USA captain Sheriff Suma making it 4-3 to Freetown United USA.
The referee blew the final whistle two minutes later and Freetown United were crowned champions. Congratulations to Freetown United USA Team Managers Abdul Conteh and Sorie Sesay, the coaching staff and players.
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by FSL News | 31 Oct, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The Director of Competition at the Sierra Leone Football Association, Sorie Ibrahim Sesay has revealed to footballsierraleone.net that the next premier league season will begin in January 2017.
The last edition of the Premier League was suspended through the season in 2014 because of the Ebola epidemic. East End Lions was topping the 2014 campaign prior to its suspension. (Photo: FC Johansen)
His revelation came on the heels of heavy criticism of the FA over what many believed to be a lack of information sharing on the actual commencement of the domestic league.
He said: “I can promise you that our clubs will start the domestic season in January,” and noted that the weather and the end of holiday festivities made it a conducive time to kick-start the league that time.
“It will first appear on our website and fans should be rest assured that the league is starting,” the FA Chief of Competition reassured.
He also stressed: “This time, we will take the league to the communities like the EPL.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Old Edwardians Football Club, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, a few weeks ago has said his side will merge other top flight clubs to boycott any attempt by the football body to revive the domestic league without holding congress first.
“Old Edwardians is with the majority of the football stakeholders who demand transparency and accountability on how football is run in Sierra Leone.”
“Madam Isha Johansen must respect the constitution and call Congress. At Congress, we will then look into how she has expended funds for the past three years and reconcile moving forward. You can’t run a football association for three years without accounting for your stewardship.”
Contact the writer @PScot_writer @football_sierra
by FSL News | 27 Oct, 2016 | Players Abroad News, Video & News
Sierra Leone defender David Simbo was pleased with his first goal in their Turkish Ziraat Cup win over fellow Sierra Leonean (Alfred Sankoh) side Denizlispor on Thursday.
The 27-year-old found the net in the 93′ min with almost the last kick of the game as his side Yeni Amasyaspor beat Denizlispor 1-0. Simbo converted a spot kick following Denizlispor’s defender Alper Babacan handball in the box that was awarded by match official çıkarınca.
The former Krumkachy Minsk defender, enchanted with his goal, Simbo said scoring the winning goal felt great.
“I’m happy for the team and it feels great – was good for me, we did a great job in defense,” he told footballsierraleone.net after helping his side to the next round of the Turkish FA Cup.
“Regarding my goal, it was very important for me to show the leadership today against a big team. And it was great to score the winner that takes us to the next round.
“I’m happy for the fans, they deserved more – was amazing getting the winner,” he added, “With hard work, we can still improve.”
Simbo joined the Turkish side in a bid to rejuvenate his football career following lack of regular football in the Belarusian top flight.
He was very frustrated in Belarus before penned a one-year deal with the Turkish side.
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