by FSL News | 30 Oct, 2018 | African News, Sport News
One of African football’s most powerful figures has been banned from the sport for life for breaking bribery and corruption rules.
Ex-Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi also broke conflict of interest rules, Fifa said.
Football’s world governing body launched an investigation after Nyantakyi was pictured taking $65,000 (£48,000) from an undercover reporter.
Fifa fined Nyantakyi 500,000 Swiss francs (£390,000).
Nyantakyi was also vice-president of the Confederation of African Football and a member of the Fifa Council.
He stepped down as GFA president in June after film of him allegedly accepting a “cash gift” was made public.
The film was captured by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and BBC Africa’s investigations unit, Africa Eye, received exclusive access to the footage.
Nyantakyi later resigned his Caf and Fifa posts but claimed the footage had been doctored to falsely incriminate him.
The adjudicatory chamber of Fifa’s ethics committee said the ban for life applied to “all football-related activities at both national and international level”.
Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra, On Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 30 Oct, 2018 | African News
Midfielder Victor Wanyama and Michael Olunga, (Pictured) who plies his trade with Kashiwa Reysol in Japan, are both named in Coach Sébastien Migné’s 30-man squad for next month’s Afcon qualifier against Sierra Leone.
The Group F contest is extremely doubtful as the Fifa suspension on Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) remains in force.
Kenya top the group with seven points from four matches, three points ahead of second-placed Ethiopia.
Fifa noted a few days ago that Sierra Leone will remain suspended until the alleged corruption trial against SLFA’s boss Isha Johansen and sec-gen Chris Kamara are concludes.
Other notable inclusion in Kenya’s squad is Beijing Renhe striker Ayud Timber, who was ruled out for two weeks with both knee and shoulder injuries, three weeks ago.
He has nonetheless been recalled to the team after serving his three-match ban by Caf.
Zambian-based Ian Otieno has been dropped and his place taken by Kariobangi Sharks goalkeeper Brian Bwire. US-based defender Joseph Okumu also made it to Migne’s list.
Kenya is also set to play a friendly match during the November 12, to November 20, 2018, Fifa break.
Provisional Squad; Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi (St Georges, Ethiopia), Farouk Shikalo (Bandari, Kenya) and Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya).
Defenders: Musa Mohammed (Nkana FC, Zambia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United, South Africa), David Ochieng (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Abud Omar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Erick Ouma (Vasalund, Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Real Monarchs, USA), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Bernard Ochieng (Vihiga United, Kenya) and Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia, Kenya)
Midfielders: Ismael Gonzalez (Las Palmas, Spain), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Anthony Akumu (Zesco United, Zambia), Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Eric Johanna (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Paul Were (FC Kaisar, Kazakhstan), Henry Ochieng (Braintree Town, England), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari, Kenya), Cliff Nyakeya (Mathare United, Kenya) and Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka, Kenya).
Forwards: Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Jonah Ayunga (Sutton United, England), Masud Juma (Aj Fujairah, UAE), Ovella Ochieng (Vasalund, Sweden), Allan Wanga (Kakamega Homeboyz, Kenya) and Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka, Kenya).
Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra, on Facebook/Instagram – Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 30 Oct, 2018 | African News
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was again out of Coach Gernot Rohr 23-man squad announced on Monday for next month’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in South Africa.
China-based, who made his Nigeria debut in 2005, has not played for the country since he captained the team to the World Cup in Russia in June.
Officials have said the former Chelsea star was previously left out of the squad to allow him time to recover from niggling injuries.
But he has since fully recovered and is now playing regularly for his Chinese club, Tianjin Teda.
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has recalled Sporting Charleroi striker Victor Osimhen and midfielder Mikel Agu, who is based in Portugal.
Villarreal young forward Samuel Chukwueze has been handed his first call-up.
Nigeria will lock horns against South Africa in Johannesburg on November 17.
They top Group E with nine points from four matches, a point ahead of second-placed South Africa.
Nigeria will also host Uganda in a friendly at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on November 20.
Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra, on Facebook/Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 30 Oct, 2018 | African News
Leicester City’s African players have been reacting to the death of the club’s owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha who was killed in a helicopter crash on Saturday.
The Thai billionaire was one of five people who died in the crash shortly after the helicopter took off from Leicester City’s King Power stadium.
Leicester City has the biggest contingent of African players in the Premier League, who have been paying their tributes on social media.
“May the good Lord accept your soul. Rest on boss,” Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho wrote on Twitter.
His counterpart Wilfred Ndidi said: “You were far too kind and supportive. Thank you for all you did for the club, for always encouraging the team and coming all the way to watch me play at the World Cup. Rest on Sir. The boss.”
Ndidi’s comments came shortly after he had scored a goal as Srivaddhanaprabha watched Leicester draw 1-1 with West Ham on Saturday.
Algeria winger Rachid Ghezzal took to Instagram for his tribute: “RIP Boss. All my prayers go to the families for this tragic accident. Strength and courage to the entire Leicester City family in this difficult time. Thank you, boss.”
Tunisian defender, Yohan Benalouane was another to react: “Dear Mr Chairman. It is very difficult to find the right words, as I am completely devastated. You are the father of our club, our family, you have helped all of us to achieve our dreams.”
Malian midfielder Fousseni Diabate sent his condolences too: “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be at the very high level. Thank you for your smiles and kindness. Thanks for believing in me. Thank you and goodbye Sir.”
Ghana fullback, Daniel Amartey, who suffered a serious injury during Saturday’s match, offered his wishes from his hospital bed.
“Thank you, everyone, for your encouraging words of support but devastating to come out of a successful surgery to learn about our chairman who has meant so much for this club and for all of us players. My prayers go out to your family boss,” Amartey wrote on his Instagram page.
Algeria striker Riyad Mahrez, who recently joined Manchester City after a successful four-year stint at Leicester City that included winning the Premier League title in 2016, also paid his respects.
“One of the best people I’ve ever met. I will never forget you. Rest in Peace Vichai.”
For his part, Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa, who recently left the club to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, offered a heartfelt message following the accident.
“Someone so special, will not be forgotten, happy times I could never regret. Wonderful memories will live on forever, I will never forget you,” he said.
“Death can never take a good man away in the hearts of the people he inspired. The legacy remains and continues throughout generations. He was a great man and a father to many. May his soul find eternal rest.”
Srivaddhanapraba, who bought the club in 2010, often used his helicopter to attend Leicester’s matches at the King Power Stadium and the club’s training ground.
The chairman and owner was not only popular with players but also with the fans and was famous for his gifts to them that included free season tickets for some supporters, free meals and club merchandise.
The club has since cancelled its midweek matches for the first and junior teams in his honour.
Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra, on Facebook/Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 28 Oct, 2018 | African News
Sierra Leone team have been drawn to face the winner between Cameroon and Chad next year in the 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations second round qualifiers.
It is worth mentioning that Sierra Leone Football Association is still under FIFA suspension amid allegations of government interference.
The first round qualifiers will run between November 12 -22 over two legs.
Cameroon team will face Chad in the first-round match that will be held this November before travelling to Chad for the return leg.
The aggregate winner will face Sierra Leone in the second round that will be held in March next year.
Sierra Leone alongside defending champions Nigeria and 11 other countries are all given byes from the first round.
The others are Algeria, Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In 2015, Sierra Leone eliminated a much-fancied Cameroon side on away goals and they did so in style despite playing away from their fans.
Algeria eliminated Sierra Leone in the third round of matches following a nail-biting 2-0 defeat in the first leg at Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, Algeria and a goalless second leg.
A strong first 20-minute period saw Algeria march into a two-nil lead with Amokrane Abdelhakim scoring both goals.
This will be the third edition of the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations. Zambia was named as the initially scheduled host, but they withdrew from hosting in July 2017.
CAF announced Egypt as the new host nation of the tournament on 23 September 2017.
The second round date is between March 18 to 26 next year while the third and final round to determine the seven nations to join hosts Egypt at the quadrennial competition is planned for June 3 to 11, 2019.
The final top three countries automatically qualify to represent the continent at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games football tournament.
2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled
Follow Us On Twitter @football_sierra – Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 26 Oct, 2018 | African News
The Brazilian soccer Association has confirmed a friendly date with the African champions the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
The anticipated friendly against Cameroon is scheduled for 20 November in London.
The fixture was confirmed on the Brazil Football Association’s twitter account.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, are preparing to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and the Brazil game comes just four days after they play Morocco in a qualifier.
It will be the sixth meeting between Cameroon and Brazil, who have won four and lost one of the previous encounters.
Cameroon only win was a 1-0 victory at the 2003 Confederations Cup in France.
The most recent meeting between the two was at the 2014 World Cup as hosts Brazil win 4-1 in a group match.
Follow Us On Twitter @football_sierra – Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone | Highlights -