by FSL News | 22 Jun, 2016 | African News, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Stars pictured out of AFCON U-17 Qualifiers
Football Sierra Leone UK has been informed by the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) of their withdrawal from the 12th edition of the African Cup of Nations U-17 qualifiers.
The next year’s continental championships slated to be hosted in Madagascar will run from 2 – 16 April 2017.
The Sierra Stars were supposed to face Benin away at the Stade de l’Amitié de Kouhounou, Cotonou this Sunday, June 26, 2016, in the first leg of the U-17 continental qualifiers with return fixture on July 1.
“We pulled out on Monday due to lack of funds and we have already informed CAF and Benin about that..” The Head of SLFA’s media Abubakarr Kamara told www.footballsierraleone.net.
The SLFA could face fine and Sierra Stars face suspension from the 13th edition of U-17 qualifiers.
Sierra Leone joined five other nations that have already withdrawn from the competition; they are Malawi, DR Congo, Liberia, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe.
Benin U-17 side will automatically qualify to the Second Round of the qualifiers following the withdrawal of Sierra Leone.
Madagascar’s 2017 Africa U-17 biennial international youth football tournament is the 12th edition – organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for players aged 17 and below.
Mali won the 2015 tournament for the first time in their history defeating a stubborn South African side, Amajimbos 2-0 in a thrilling final at the Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niamey, Niger.
The top four finalists from the tournament will represent Africa in the 2017 FIFA World Cup in India.
Follow the writer @bitttar32 – Contact: bi****@*********************ne.net
by FSL News | 20 Jun, 2016 | Players Abroad News
Randers FC started training after the summer vacation: Photos of new players in action from Sierra Leone club side Lion Pride on trials.
The four determined players are Kwame Quee pictured in action above, Yeami Dunia, Christian Moses, and Mohamed Kamara commencing a three weeks test with Danish top flight side Randers FC today in their bid to secure permanent deals.
Christian Moses and Yeami Dunia made a good start. Photo: Lars Rasborg
Christian Moses, Mohamed Kamara with some of their Randers FC squad mates
Action from today’s training session
Lion Pride Mohamed Kamara looks on
Photo: Christian Moses, Mohamed Kamara, Kwame Quee, Yeami Dunia . Photo: Lars Rasborg
by FSL News | 20 Jun, 2016 | African News
Egyptian club Zamalek put their domestic disappointment behind them to open their African Champions League group campaign on Sunday with a 1-0 victory away to Enyimba of Nigeria.
Zamalek, keen to seek consolation for their slip in the Egyptian league, were one of three African sides to win their away group games at the weekend.
Mamelodi Sundowns were 2-0 winners at Entente Setif, whilst in Group A Wydad Casablanca won 1-0 at Asec Mimosas in Ivory Coast, as Zesco United shocked Al Ahly with a 3-2 home win in Zambia.
African Champions League
Group A
Zesco United 3-2 Al Ahly
Asec Mimosas 0-1 Wydad Casablanca
Group B
Entente Setif 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Enyimba 0-1 Zamalek
Two-time African champions Enyimba hosted Zamalek in Port Harcourt, with the Egyptians looking to win a sixth African Champions League crown.
Zamalek travelled to Nigeria with a new coach in Mohamed Helmy after former Scotland coach Alex McLeish parted ways with the Cairo giants after just 65 days.
They secured a 1-0 win over the Nigerian side thanks to an 8th-minute goal from Basem Morsi and withstood pressure from the hosts to hold on for the victory.
On Saturday night, South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns began their Group B campaign with a 2-0 win away to Algeria’s Entente Setif, in a match which was interrupted by crowd disturbance.
Sundowns made the most of their second chance in the competition, after being allowed back in following the disqualification of AS Vita Club.
Goals from Tiyani Mabunda and Zimbabwe’s Khama Billiat sealed their Group B victory over the 2014 African champions.
On a bitterly disappointing night for the home side, the supporters failed to hide their frustration in the Setif stadium.
As the final whistle approached, missiles were thrown from the stands, with the referee stopping the game.
Entente Setif must wait to find out if they will face sanctions from the Confederation of African Football following the crowd trouble.
Also on Saturday, Egyptian giants Al Ahly returned to the group stage of the Champions League for the first time in two years with a shock 3-2 defeat away to Zambia’s Zesco United.
Ahly, the eight-time winners coached by former Tottenham manager Martin Jol (pictured), were determined to make up for recent disappointments in Africa’s premier club competition.
But Zesco United, who have never got beyond the group stage, upset the Red Devils with a famous home victory in Ndola.
Midfielder John Chingandu put the Zambian side ahead with a goal after 27 minutes, only for Ahly to equalise three minutes later through Ghana striker John Antwi.
It took just five minutes of the second half for the hosts to regain the lead, as Clatous Chama scored after 50 minutes and then again after 56 to give the Zambians a 3-1 lead.
Ahly tried to claw their way back in, and they were rewarded with another Antwi goal after 67 minutes.
Despite a nervous finale, the hosts held on to upset the Egyptians and go top of the standings.
In the other Group A match, Wydad Casablanca, who knocked out the defending champions TP Mazembe in the play-off round, carried on their good form by winning 1-0 away to Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast in their opener.
The Moroccans, who were runners-up the last time they competed in the competition in 2011, secured their victory thanks to a 39th minute goal from Salah Eddine Saidi.
BBC
by FSL News | 18 Jun, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone caretaker coach Tetteh pictured agrees to take a job in Tanzania
Sierra Leone caretaker coach, Sellas Tetteh has agreed to take over and signed a bumper coaching deal in Tanzania, according to several reports.
Football Sierra Leone understands the former Liberty Professionals coach is already in Dares Salam to end talks with the Tanzanian FA in a deal that could make him the highest paid in the country.
However, Ghanaian publications claimed there is an agreement for Tetteh to take the reins at Simba SC a local club in Tanzania instead of the Tanzania national side.
Simba SC is one of the two biggest football clubs in Tanzania, their arch-rivals being the Young Africans.
The Ghanaian who recently guided Sierra Leone men’s squad to a two straight victory in the ongoing 2017 African Nations Cup a qualifiers defeating Gabon and Sudan 1-0 respectively is expected to sign a two-year deal.
Sierra Leone will qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations after 20 years if they defeat Ivory Coast in first week September.
His initial loan deal expired last October after Leone Stars were eliminated in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers by Chad.
The 59-year-old was the architect when Ghana won the 2009 Under-20 World Cup. He was appointed as caretaker coach in Sierra Leone in August 2015.
In Match 2016 the former Rwanda boss left his position as Ghana under-20 manager in order to continue as Sierra Leone caretaker manager.
On 6 September 2011, Tetteh who resigned as Rwanda’s manager was back in charge of Ghana U20 at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 17 Jun, 2016 | Players Abroad News
Christian Moses, Mohamed Kamara, Kwame Quee, Yeami Dunia with Randers FC. Photo: Lars Rasborg
Four ambitious Sierra Leonean football players from Lion Pride FC namely Kwame Quee, Yeami Dunia, Christian Moses, Mohamed Kamara are presently on a three weeks trials with Danish top flight side Randers FC.
The Danish top flight side based in Randers was founded on 1 January 2003.
All four in Denmark with a single burning desire over a three weeks period, that is to impress the Randers Sports Manager Ole Nielsen and Head Coach Olafur Kristjansson in their bid to secure permanent deals.
Although it is difficult to judge much from Friday’s four-man training, Football Sierra Leone understands Peter Elstrup is well satisfied with what he has seen so far.
Christian Moses and Yeami Dunia in Friday’s training session
“It has been beyond my expectations. They are athletic and talented, and so they seem to learn quickly. But one thing is a short training as today; something else is playing 11 against 11. That’s when they really should show themselves, “says talent manager.
“Football is about being able to handle the pressure. It’s part of the game, and we are ready to prove that we can handle it, “says Christian Moses before training is connected with a jogging tour around the track on Thursday.
“We must just work hard and show what we can give on the pitch, “says Yeami Dunia, who has played nine international matches for Sierra Leone in various positions.
Christian Moses concurred “Yes, we believe we can make it here, hard work and determination.”
FC Lion Pride’s Team Manager; Mamadou Bah, who is also in Denmark told amtsavisen.dk,”I hope they all going to do well here in Randers, where track conditions are quite different from back home in Sierra Leone.
“All four are very good player, who have prepared well, and two of them were in the starting line-up on the national team, who recently beat Sudan 1-0 in the African Cup of nations qualifier in Freetown June 4, 2016.”
@football_sierra
Sierra Leone | Highlights -