by FSL News | 22 Sep, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Tributes have continued to pour across the world amongst Sierra Leoneans for former Sierra Leone striker and Legend Alphajoh ‘Gazza’ Bah who reportedly died in a gruesome road accident along the Goderich Road in Freetown on Wednesday.
The Sierra Leone football fraternity has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of another Leone Stars hero.
His former teammates, Paul Augustine Kpaka, Mohamed Kallon, and Ibrahim Obreh Kargbo were among those saddened by his passing after it was confirmed last night.
This is so sad another brother is gone.
“Rest in Peace Mamadu Alphajoh Bah aka Gazza,” Paul Kpaka posted on his official facebook page as he pays tribute to his former teammate and eulogised the departed Brother.
“A Fantastic footballer, a great teammate, hard working, brutally honest, and always funny but above all God fearing. Your passion for football was infectious. I genuinely admired your courage to speak the truth even when it meant you made other people very uncomfortable. You were a man of principle. A born fighter as you’ll always say.
“I remember you carrying your pocket size Holy Quran always with you praying diligently before every flight especially when travelling to play away games. You always emphasised life was too short. How prophetic that looks now in your own words?
“You wore your Islamic religion proudly on your chest. And your belief in Allah Almighty kept some of us safe and comforted when in your company. You don’t deserve such an untimely death. And the manner of your loss is deeply depressing.
Allah knows best. Your fear of the Almighty on earth will keep you safe forever and ever.
Take you rest son. Until we meet again. Inshallah!!!
Former Leone Stars skipper and Inter Milan striker Mohamed Kallon who scored the winning goal for Sierra Leone in a 2-1 over Burkina Faso during the 1996 Nations Cup in South Africa also expressed his sadness about the untimely loss.
“OMG, I can’t stop crying. Wow, it’s unbelievable we spoke one hour before the incident. May Allah grant him ALJANAH.
“RIP BRO. ALPHAJOR BAH (GAZZA).”
Another Leone Stars legend Ibrahim Obreh Kargbo, also wrote: “It’s a shock to say that my brother is gone, it is like a dream. You’re gone but you’ll always have a special place in my heart.
“We love you but Allah loves you more. We used to talk every single day and believe in me he will always say “brother I’ll call you back let me go and pray “. He was a good brother and a family man.
“Rest in peace brother until we meet again.”
Soccer pundit and founder of this medium, Alie Ahmed Bittar, also wrote: “I can’t believe it. Gazza is such a nice person, I am in shock, our brother is gone.
“May His Soul Forever Rest In Peace. We Will Miss You, Brother.”
Bah, 39, made 35 appearances for Leone Stars and his previous clubs include Halmstads BK in Sweden, KSC Lokeren in Belgium, Chunnam Dragons in South Korea, Xiamen Lanshi and Zhejiang Lücheng in China, Al-Qadisiya in Saudi Arabia, and Perlis FA in Malaysia.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 21 Sep, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
SLFA president Isha Johansen, who was detained and questioned, is under investigation by Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over the management of funds received by the SLFA since February.
The world football body, Fifa has said in a letter to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) that there has been no ‘misuse of the funds’ it has given to the Isha Johansen’s administration.
A FIFA statement said: “Fifa has no reason to suspect there has been misuse of funds that Fifa has provided to the SLFA.”
Fifa also warned of any government interference in the FA’s business.
“In addition, over the course of the last three years, Fifa has noticed several activities of third parties that could be considered as interference (in) the running of the SLFA.”
“These have caused continuous instability to the legitimate and recognised leadership of the federation,” the Fifa letter, which was copied to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), added.
“Fifa urges the relevant Sierra Leone authorities – in particular the Ministry of Sports and the Anti-Corruption Commission – to allow the SLFA to conduct its affairs and activities without unnecessary obstruction as no Fifa regulations have been contravened with regards to the Fifa funding.”
Johansen, who alongside her vice president and Secretary general Chris Kamara spent a night in detention, a few days ago written a heartfelt statement declared herself innocent of any alleged corruption accusation against her and was ‘shocked and humiliated’ following her arrest.
Ady Macauley, head of the ACC, who confirmed that he ordered the arrests of the FA boss Isha Johansen, vice president Brima Kamara and secretary general Christopher Kamara have insisted that they remain committed to the fight against corruption in the country.
Macauley said the investigations related to “donor funds” from the world football governing body, FIFA.
Meanwhile, Fifa also stated that it intends to send newly appointed secretary general Fatma Samoura to Freetown in due course to assess the matter.
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by FSL News | 20 Sep, 2016 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone-born and England international, Nathaniel Chalobah (Pictured) finally made his Chelsea debut in their 4-2 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the English League Cup on Tuesday night.
Chalobah, 21, who moved to England at the age of 7, grew up in Gipsy Hill in the London Borough of Lambeth, came off the bench replacing Belgian striker Michy Batshuay against Leicester.
The midfielder waited for 11 years after signing for Chelsea. Having previously been on the books of Fulham, Chalobah joined Chelsea’s academy as a trainee at the age of 10 before signing professional contracts at the age of 17 in 2012.
His first spell outside Chelsea was at Watford during the 2012-2013 seasons where he made his professional debut for the club on 18 September 2012 against Brighton & Hove Albion, coming on in the 73rd-minute as a substitute for Fernando Forestieri.
He was impressive with the Championship side and has also had spells with Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Burnley, Reading and at Napoli.
Chalobah made his Napoli’s debut in a Europa League tie against Legia Warsaw on 1 October 2015.
Chalobah, who is also eligible to play for his country of birth, is contracted to Chelsea till 2018.
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by FSL News | 19 Sep, 2016 | Players Abroad News
The Sierra Leone striker has been in inspirational form for the Gothenburg-based club side in recent Allsvenskan matches.
BK Hacken’s Alhassan ‘Crespo’ Kamara scored his fifth league goal since his move from Orebro SK in July 2016 to deny IFK Goteborg an away victory at the Bravida Arena on Monday evening.
Jörgen Lennartsson’s side was in cruise control with two goals until the 65th minutes with goals from E. Salomonsson and Icelandic football striker Elías Már Ómarsson, who currently on loan from Vålerenga.
However, in the 65th and 69 minutes respectively Nigerian striker John Owoeri pictured with Alhassan Kamara rescued a solid point for the home team.
BK Hacken now undefeated in their last four games in all competitions and they sit eighteen points behind leaders IFK Norrkoping in seventh position.
They will take on Hammarby IF away from home on Thursday 22 September 2016.
“This was a massive point for the team, I am delighted in three starts from seven matches I have accounted for five goals. Good for me and the team.
“I hope to keep this form until the end,” Kamara told footballsierraleone.net after the match.
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by FSL News | 18 Sep, 2016 | Players Abroad News
The 19-year-old striker, Mustapha Bundu who has joined the Danish Superliga side is ready for the big challenge with, AGF Aarhus, his agent, Chernor Musa Jalloh revealed .
Jalloh, who is one of the most successful local football agents in Sierra Leone, confirmed the news, saying Bundu is off to officially join his new club AGF Aarhus after signing a loan deal.
Aarhus is the second largest city in Denmark and AGF have won the Danish Football Championship five times and the Danish Cup a record nine times, as well as having a proud European record.
In May, he joined a list of players with Sierra Leonean origin to play in a Cup final at England’s iconic Wembley Stadium.
Bundu is well known after signing for the Bulls in November 2015. He went on to score 25 goals helping the club secure the Midland Football League (MFL) Premier Division title. He also won the MFL Cup and the Hereford FA County Cup.
“Bundu is on his way to a big and new challenge in his career, but he is ready. He is expected at the club in the next few days via Ghana, He has signed a one-year contract with an option to extend, after his impressive development,” Jalloh explained to footballsierraleone.net.
“The unpolished diamond is an interesting talent with a bigger and bright future.”
Bundu, who has been brilliant for Hereford FC will join a number of international superstars at the club, including Daniel Pedersen and Steffen Rasmussen.
“I do not doubt his talents; Jalloh added “He loves where he is going, a strong test for him. Technically he is a good player, strong and fast. He was a top class at Hereford FC.” He responded.
The Sierra Leone-born, in 2010 was one of the talents from the Craig Bellamy Foundation in Sierra Leone, a charity which offers underprivileged children in Sierra Leone the chance to realise their potential through football and education.
Bundu’s talent was recognised in the UK a year later he was invited to train with Cardiff City’s U15s squad and also had spells at Liverpool and Manchester City.
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