by FSL News | 5 Oct, 2018 | African News
World football governing body, FIFA, has suspended Sierra Leone from all international competition amid allegations of government interference in its football federation.
By the 11 October, if the ban is not lifted Sierra Leone’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Ghana will be cancelled – with their return game at home (Freetown) against the Black Stars on the 15th also in danger.
Read related news…Fifa gives second warning to Sierra Leone government
This decision comes after a recent letter from FIFA to the Minister of Sports of Sierra Leone to express grave concern about the removal of the SLFA President and the SLFA General Secretary and to request that both be allowed to access the SLFA premises without further delay to ensure that the operations of the SLFA, including FIFA-funded projects, are not jeopardised.
“The suspension will be lifted once the SLFA and its recognised leadership (led by SLFA President, Ms Isha Johansen, and SLFA General Secretary, Mr Christopher Kamara) have confirmed to FIFA that the SLFA administration, premises, accounts and communication channels are under their control once again,” Fifa said.
Following its suspension, the SLFA has lost all its membership rights as defined in art. 13 of the FIFA Statutes. The SLFA’s national and affiliated club teams are no longer entitled to take part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.
This also means that neither the SLFA nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any development programmes, courses or training from FIFA or CAF. Moreover, and in accordance with art. 16 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes, other member associations may not entertain sporting contact with the SLFA during its suspension.
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by FSL News | 4 Oct, 2018 | African News
Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Felix Annan has set his sights on forcing his way into coach Kwesi Appiah’s first team plans against Sierra Leone in Kumasi.
The youngster is hoping to impress the Black Stars technical team for a starting spot after earning his second call-up to the Ghana team.
The Porcupine Warriors is one of the best shot-stoppers in the Ghana Premier League.
He is the only locally-based player named in coach Appiah Black Stars’ 23-man squad.
Ghana host Sierra Leone on 11 October at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi in the third round of the group stage qualifiers before travelling to Freetown to for the second leg contest four days later.
“My main ambition after getting another call-up to the national team is to start against Sierra Leone,” Annan told Fox FM.
“The last time I was invited to the squad, I didn’t get an opportunity to play but this time around I’m going to work hard when we begin camping and I hope I will be given the chance to prove myself.
“I have what it takes to start because being the number one goalkeeper of the biggest club in the country exposes you to several challenges which prepare you for future challenges.
“All that I need now is that the technical team must have faith and try me in the post,” he added.
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by FSL News | 3 Oct, 2018 | African News
Al Ahly of Egypt secured a 2-0 win over ES Setif in the 2018 CAF Champions League semifinal first-leg game at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Tuesday.
The victory means the Egyptian top side grab a 2-0 lead on aggregate ahead of the second-leg match which will be played in Algeria in three weeks’ time.
In the other semi-finals, Primeiro scored late on at home to beat Esperance of Tunisia and take a 1-0 lead in the tie.
Primeiro will make history if they win their semi-final.
No Angolan team has ever made the final of the continent’s top club competition.
Primeiro coach Zoran Manojlovic was highly critical of the refereeing but delighted with the win.
“The refereeing was terrible and it hurt us a lot, but we managed to beat one of the best clubs in Africa,” he said.
“I do not fear to play Esperance in Tunisia – we continue to dream of reaching the final.”
The second legs of both ties will take place on Tuesday 23rd October.
Al Ahly 2
ES Setif 0
Al Ahly: El Shenawy, Fathy, Ashraf, Maâloul, Coulibaly, Ashour (Sherif 75′), Soliman (Mohsen 84′), Mohamed, Hamoudi (Tawfik 67′), Mohareb, Azarou.
ES Setif: Zeghba, Rebiai, Ferhani, Bedrane, Radouani, Djabou (Banouh 90’+2), Sidhoum (Saadi 85′), Djahnit, Aiboud, Bouguelmouna, Ghacha (Bakir 46′).
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by FSL News | 1 Oct, 2018 | African News
Ghana Black Stars head coach Kwesi Appiah has named his 23-man squad ahead of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) doubleheader against Sierra Leone this month.
The two West African nations will go head to head on the 11th and 14 of October in their quest to reach Cameroon 2019.
The first match will be staged at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Notable absentees are the Ayew brothers – Crystal Palace on loan attacker from Swansea Jordan Ayew and elder André Ayew again been left out.
But, skipper Asamoah Gyan who has not been in the Black Stars squad since the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Congo in Kumasi, has been handed a recall.
Defenders Jonathan Mensah, John Boye, midfielders Bernard Mensah and as well as Mubarak Wakaso also return for the game.
Both countries lost to Kenya and Ethiopia respectively in September.
Ghana will be hoping to make use of home advantage and strengthen their grip in the race.
Sierra Leone coach John Keister will be determined to bounce back after a 1-0 defeat to Ethiopia last month.
Below is the 23-man squad.
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Lawrence Ati Zigi (Sochaux, France), Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko)
Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Andy Yiadom (Reading FC, England), Lumor Agbenyenu (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew, USA), John Boye (FC Metz, France), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Nicholas Opoku (Udinese, Italy)
Midfielders: Mubarak Wakaso (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Isaac Sackey (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Bernard Mensah (Kayserispor, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Thomas Agyepong (Hibernian, Scotland), Nana Ampomah (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium)
Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Kayserispor, Turkey), Majeed Waris (FC Nantes, France), Emmanuel Boateng (Levante, Spain), Richmond Boakye-Yiadom (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia)
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by FSL News | 30 Sep, 2018 | African News
The Malawi Football Association president, Walter Nyamilandu, has been voted to the Fifa Council during CAF General Assembly in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on Sunday.
Nyamilandu defeated South African FA president Danny Jordaan by 35 votes to 18 after two rounds of voting.
The pair had been in a three-way vote along with former Tanzania Football Federation president Leodgar Tenga, who dropped out in the first round.
Nick Mwendwa, the president of Kenya’s Football Federation and Elvis Chetty, president of the Seychelles FA, both withdrew from the election before the first round.
The Fifa Council is the main decision-making arm of world football’s governing body, with members drawn from each of the sport’s regional confederations.
The other members of the FIFA Council from Africa include Ahmad Ahmad (CAF President), Camara Almany Kabele (Guinea), Abo Rida Hany (Egypt), Lydia Nsekera (Burundi), Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia), and Constant Omari (DR Congo).
The Caf position on the Fifa Council became open following the resignation of former Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi who was filmed by an investigative journalist appearing to take a $65,000 bribe from a supposed businessman.
Nyantakyi left his role on the Fifa Council and stepped aside from his roles with Caf including as first vice-president, the most senior figure at the confederation after its president, Ahmad.
As well as the Fifa suspension Nyantakyi also resigned as president of the Ghana FA on 8 June following an executive committee meeting.
Nyantakyi has always denied any wrongdoing.
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by FSL News | 26 Sep, 2018 | African News
Dakar-born Lyon’s midfielder, Pape Cheikh Diop, (pictured) has pledged his international loyalty to Spain over his birthplace Senegal.
The 21-year-old Dakar-born midfielder has confirmed he has been invited a few times in the past by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) to play for the Teranga Lions.
“I have been called by Senegal several times, but I remain committed to Spain,” Pape Cheikh told Spanish sports newspaper Marca.
“Of course, I can never forget my origin, I am Senegalese, but I also feel Spanish.”
“Spain has given me everything and I want to give back in return. I am very happy with the decision I’ve made.”
Under Fifa rules, he can still switch allegiances because he is yet to play a competitive match for Spain’s senior side.
He moved to Spain age 14 and helped them to European under-19 success in 2015 as well as played for the under-21s.
The midfielder has impressed for Lyon in the French Ligue 1 and Champions League for Lyon, who beat Man City at the Etihad last week.
He progressed to Celta’s senior side and made his debut in December 2015, where a goal in 27 appearances led to a move to Lyon last summer.
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