by FSL News | 11 Jun, 2016 | African News
Tragedy has hit Nigeria football again as former Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu, four-time manager of the Nigerian Super Eagles and Technical Director of the NFF is dead.
Amodu Shaibu the top coach was recently appointed Nigeria technical director.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Saturday that Amodu, 58, died after complaining of chest problems.
On Wednesday, Keshi, 54, died suddenly in Benin City.
Amodu and Keshi worked together as Nigeria coach and assistant coach respectively at the 2002 African Nations Cup.
Amodu, who qualified Nigeria to two World Cups, in 2002 and 2010, was re-appointed Nigeria manager in October 2014, replacing Stephen Keshi.
It was his fifth spell in charge of the country. Late Steven Keshi returned to the role two weeks later but was fired in July 2015 and Amodu took over the Eagles again temporarily.
He was replaced by Sunday Oliseh on a permanent basis later that month.
Senior football officials told AFP Amodu was hypertensive and had been on medication. Keshi assisted Amodu when Nigeria qualified for the 2002 World Cup.
Amodu rose to prominence when he guided BCC Lions of Gboko to win the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1991.
The late Amodu has managed a number of club sides in Nigeria, such as BCC Lions, El-Kanemi Warriors, and Shooting Stars; he also managed Orlando Pirates in South Africa.
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by FSL News | 10 Jun, 2016 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone national Davies joins Knights in Australia
Sierra Leone national Julius Davies pictured has signed for Australian semi-professional football club Melbourne Knights.
The former Bayern Munich youth striker agreeing to terms this week with one of the most successful clubs in Australia.
Davies, 21, was born in Liberia before moving to Australia age 11 from Sierra Leone as a refugee.
Davies, who is best known for his pace and creativity, is the Knights’ first signing in the mid-season transfer window, and could be given his debut as early as this Saturday.
“This is a great club, I’m happy to be a part of it and really looking forward to a successful second half to the season,” said Davies speaking to Knights Media.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity, I’ve heard a lot of good things from other people and we’ve got a very good coach here so I can’t wait to get into the thick of things”.
Having moved to Australia as a youngster, Davies plied his trade in the youth systems of Western Australia before catching the eye of European giants Bayern Munich. It was here where Julius described he enjoyed his most memorable football experiences.
“I was only 14 at the time of heading over there, and it was a very good experience with good coaches and facilities, I’m very grateful for the opportunity I had there.”
“Whilst I was over there on their second side, I trained with the likes of Thomas Muller, Holger Badstuber, David Alaba and Emre Can, all of which are now international players.”
During his time abroad, Davies was also called upon to represent the Australian U17 National side, taking part in a number of training camps and friendly games, with only a FIFA eligibility rule preventing him from playing in competitive matches at the time.
Returning to Australia, Davies spent time with Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar representing both clubs in both NPL Youth games and a handful of A-League appearances.
Last season saw Davies play an integral role in Port Melbourne’s starting eleven, with the winger been the catalyst for many of his side’s goals, something of which Andrew Marth will be hoping can transpire into his team.
Ironically for Davies, it’s his former employers that now stand in his way of making a return to the national stage with the Knights to host Port Melbourne next Wednesday for a place in the FFA Cup.
“I really can’t wait, it’s exciting to have an opportunity to play against my former club,” Davies told club website.
When asked what Knights’ fans should expect from him, Julius responded: “I’m hoping to show my creativeness and ability to link up the play. I’m very much a unselfish player and team orientated, and at the same time, I would like to excite the fans.”
Melbourne Knights battle Northcote City at John Cain Memorial Reserve this Saturday at 3pm, before welcoming Port Melbourne to Knights Stadium on Wednesday Night in their crucial FFA Cup qualifier at 7:30pm.
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by FSL News | 9 Jun, 2016 | Players Abroad News, Sport News
Swedish Superettan side GIAS AIF has confirmed they have broken their contract with Sierra Leone international striker, Ibrahim Teteh Bangura pictured in action just three months after joining the club.
The club confirmed the contract termination of the 26-year-old forward on its club website saying they have chosen not to continue with the players deal.
“GAIS has chosen not to take the opportunity to continue the entire 2016 season without Teteh Bangura in the squad. The part of the agreement with Bangura enables a termination at the end of June but will rather take effect immediately. Bangura has had an injury the full period he was with GAIS and talks with the player and his agent were amicable and understandable about the contract termination.”
“We hope Teteh sorts out his injury troubles and we wish him luck in the future,” said the club’s sports director Fredrik Molin said and he added: “He’s a great guy with a passion for football. And if he is injury-free he can deliver any day of the week. At this time, we need to think about Gais.”
According to the striker’s local agent, Chernor Musa Jalloh the forward will travel back to Sweden and sort thing out before looking for other options.
Bangura who was an unused sub in Sierra Leone’s 1-0 home win against Sudan on Saturday in the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers was one of GAIS heaviest acquisition this season but had a tough time in the Gothenburg club.
He only started two games and made a cameo in the Superettan in the last three months.
The former FC Kallon forward had a breakthrough in Sweden when he scored 15 goals in 17 games for AIK during the 2011 season before he was sent off to Bursaspor for a € 2 million fee.
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by FSL News | 9 Jun, 2016 | Players Abroad News, Sport News
Sierra Leone international Solomon Zombo Morris (In Photo) was on international duty with Leone Stars against Sudan when his French club Quevilly Rouen Metro battered Troyes AC 4-1 in the league’s final day of the season to finalised promotion.
They will play in the Championship National League next season which is the third tier of the French football system.
Going into last Saturday’s game, Quevilly knew that a win would seal promotion their goalless draw against Iris Club de Croix and a 3-2 victory over CFSannois-St-Gratien respectively notching 92 points from 30 matches.
Morris started in goal for Sierra Leone in last’s weekend Africa Cup of Nations fifth round qualifier defeating Sudan 1-0 in Freetown.
The 5 ft 11 in stopper who is unavailable to comment was substituted in Leone Stars massive victory against Sudan.
He won his 16th caps against Sudan and has made 11 appearances for the Le Petit-Quevilly based club that was founded in 1902.
His first international call-up was in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Tunisia.
@football_sierra / @bittar32
by FSL News | 8 Jun, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
RIP: Sierra Leone Football Association pays tributes to Keshi
Sierra Leone Football Association, SLFA, on Wednesday, paid tribute to the late Nigerian Legend, former Togo and Mali coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.
The Nigeria legend who passed away aged 54 was one of African football’s finest and best-known figures and had three spells in charge of the Super Eagles.
The world is mourning the Super Eagles legend demise. The news was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Association on Wednesday morning.
Former Nigeria captain and Togo’s national team manager Stephen Keshi died from a suspected heart.
The SLFA President Isha Johansen took to twitter to describe the Keshi demise as shock and sad. “Rest in Peace Keshi. Shock and sad loss to African football family.”
On the SLFA’s official Facebook page, she noted: “A great soul has departed, but the memories shall never fade. Your loss is huge, and I can only share your pain. Keep faith and courage. I am sorry for your loss. May his departed soul rest in perfect peace.”
Sierra Leone caretaker Ghanaian coach Sellas Tetteh concurred “You had a distinguished career as a player and as a Coach. You set a lasting landmark discharging your noble duties. You printed your name with excellence everywhere you had the opportunity.
Keshi began his managerial career with Togo in 2004 and would have three stints with the Sparrow Hawks during which he led them to a surprise qualification for the 2006 World Cup. He had a two-year spell with Mali before landing the Super Eagles job in 2011.
During his playing career, Keshi lifted the Nations Cup with the Super Eagles in 1994 and then went on to coach his Nigeria in three spells, which included a last-16 finish in the 2014 World Cup.
After winning 64 Nigeria caps as a central defender between 1981-95, Keshi had three stints in charge of Togo before taking over as Nigeria coach in 2011. He also coached Mali between 2008-10.
He led Nigeria to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating Burkina Faso in the final in South Africa before guiding them to the second round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
During his 20-year playing career, he had spells at Belgian side Anderlecht, plus stints in France, the United States and Malaysia. He won 64 caps for his country at centre-back between 1981 and 1995, scoring nine goals.
Keshi’s contract with Nigeria was not renewed after the 2014 World Cup, despite a strong showing where the Super Eagles lost in the second round to France.
Keshi’s wife Kate passed away last December after a three-year battle with cancer. Keshi is survived by their four children.
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