by FSL News | 8 Jun, 2016 | African News
RIP: Nigeria legend Steven Keshi passes away aged 54
Steven Keshi 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 attack at the age of 54 according to reports.
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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by FSL News | 26 May, 2016 | Players Abroad News, Video & News
Sierra Leone international Alhaji Kamara has revealed his excitement as he prepares for a new dimension in his football career.
Kamara, 22, signed for the Major League Soccer side DC United after medical endorsement that he is ok to play football again.
The former IFK Norrkoping striker admitted that he is much happier and ready to surpass the trauma of heart defect.
He told club website, “I’m really glad to be here and am looking forward to playing my first game for D.C. United and be a part of this family”.
Kamara also explained his reaction when he was first told about the heart problem. “I was shocked and I remember saying, ‘Why now?’ But I was positive and told myself that I was too young and too healthy to not play football. I had to find options.”
The Leone Stars striker who registered a stunning 16 goals in two years for the Swedish defending champions also said he is going to put the past behind him.
“I’m putting this behind me and concentrating on the field.
The Leone Stars striker was told in February about his congenital heart disease, a deviation of the coronary arteries which potentially could result in sudden death at the maximal cardiac effort.
Following proper and a full investigation by Allen Taylor (United’s cardiologist and chief of cardiology at Washington’s MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute) and Matthew Martinez (cardiology consultant for MLS), Kamara was cleared to resume his bright career.
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by FSL News | 16 Dec, 2015 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone National Sports Council has reinstated Isha Johansen executive back in office in a bid to avoid an international ban from the football world governing body FIFA.
The Johansen led executive is back following the intervention of the country’s President Ernest Bai Koroma after hours of crisis talks.
The implication of the FIFA ultimatum has led to the president’s intervention.
Fifa on Monday indicated to football Sierra Leone that if the NSC fails to rescind its decision they would have decided on immediate suspension from all international football activity.
The NSC decided to reinstate the SLFA on the condition that the Johansen executive committee must work with the seven-man working committee.
The decision represents a U-turn from the country sports body.
“I see this as a win-win situation,” Sports minister Paul Kamara told BBC Sport.
“President Koroma has done his best for the football family to reconcile and that was why he invited all the parties to the meeting.”
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