by FSL News | 12 Jun, 2017 | African News
The Black Stars of Ghana on Sunday displayed once again why they are one of the powerhouses in African football as they thrashed Ethiopia 5-0 to go top of the Group F in their first qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The Stars who were a semifinalist in the 2017 AFCON in Gabon smashed the Walia ibex at the BabaYara Stadium in Kumasi to put themselves ahead of Sierra Leone, with goals from Asamoah Gyan, John Boye, Ebenzeer Ofori and Raphael Dwamena brace adding to the visitors’ misery.
Captain Asamoah Gyan began the rout in the 10 minutes with his 50th goal for his country.
The momentum was with home team Jonh Boye double their lead 2-0. His effort beat Ethiopia goalkeeper Abel Mamo hands down.
Ebenezer Ofori scored with a screamer – making it 3-0 to Ghana before the break.
After the break, a Raphael Dwamena brace made it 5-0 to the hosts who are looking for their first Nations Cup title since 1982.
In Freetown on Saturday, goals from Julius Woobay and Umaru Bangura penalty helped Sierra Leone make a winning start to their Group F campaign as they beat the Harambee Stars of Kenya 2-1.
Ghana (3) 5 (Gyan 10′, Boye 15′, E.Ofori 40′, Dwamena 48′, 60′)
Ethiopia (0) 0
Ghana XI: Ofori, Afful, Lumor, Boye, Amartey, Ofori, Agyepong, Partey (Acquah 73′), A. Ayew (J.Ayew 79′), Gyan (Waris 65′), Dwamena.
Ethiopia XI: A.Mamo (Tassew 64′), A. Tesfaye; Kasim, S. Tesfaye (Mohammed 78′), Tamene, Mesfen (Said 46′), Bekele, Panom, Giday, Oukri, Getaneh.
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by FSL News | 11 Jun, 2017 | African News
Aftermath of Sierra Leone defeat, Kenya National team assistant coach, Frank Ouna was very dissatisfied with the Siaka Steven Stadium pitch which he branded as ‘an unplayable pitch’.
The Harambee Stars second gaffer in a post-match interview in Freetown said the Sierra Leone pitch was one factor they walked away with 2-1 defeat adding that it affected their game plan and possession.
“It was tough for us because we played in an unplayable pitch. The pitch is not good to play football,” Frank Ouna said and congratulate Sierra Leone for the winner.
The Harambee Stars went into Saturday’s tie as the favourites but went down 2-1 to a well determined Sierra Leone side desperate to end their 21 years spell without playing at the highest African football tournament.
The Slovenia-based attacking midfielder, Julius Wobay low finish in the 22nd minute gave Sierra Leone the lead before skipper Umaru Bangura double the lead in the second half from the penalty spot after Kei Kamara was brought down by Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma.
Ten men Kenya level secured a consolation goal from Michael Olunga who struck a spectacular free-kick late in the second half.
AFCON 2019 Qualifying Fixtures & Results
Group A
9.06.2017 Obeid Sudan 1-3 Madagascar
10.06.2017 Dakar Senegal vs Equatorial Guinea
Group B
10.06.2017 Yaounde Cameroon 1-0 Morocco
10.06.2017 Lilongwe Malawi 1-0 Comoros
Group C
10.06.2017 Bamako Mali 2-1 Gabon
10.06.2017 Bujumbura Burundi 3-1 South Sudan
Group D
11.06.2017 Blida Algeria vs Togo
11.06.2017 Cotonou Benin vs Gambia
Group E
9.06.2017 Cairo Libya 5-1 Seychelles
10.06.2017 Uyo Nigeria 0-2 South Africa
Group F
10.06.2017 Freetown Sierra Leone 2-1 Kenya
11.06.2017 Kumasi Ghana vs Ethiopia
Group G
10.06.2017 Kinshasa DR Congo 3-1 Congo
11.06.2017 Harare Zimbabwe vs Liberia
Group H
10.06.2017 Bouake Cote d’Ivoire 2-3 Guinea
11.06.2017 Bangui Central African Rep. vs Rwanda
Group I
10.06.2017 Ouagadougou Burkina Faso 3-1 Angola
10.06.2017 Francistown Botswana 0-1 Mauritania
Group J
10.06.2017 Niamey Niger 0-0 Swaziland
11.06.2017 Tunis Tunisia vs Egypt
Group K
10.06.2017 Ndola Zambia 0-1 Mozambique
10.06.2017 Bissau Guinea Bissau 1-0 Namibia
Group L
10.06.2017 Dar es Salaam Tanzania 1-1 Lesotho
11.06.2017 Praia Cape Verde vs Uganda
By: Sahr Morris Jr. Follow the Writer @morrisjr88
by FSL News | 10 Jun, 2017 | African News
The Confederation of African Football have seeded Sierra Leone in Pot 3 for the Africa Cup of Nations group stages draw ahead of next year’s final tournament in Cameroon.
As a result, the Leone Stars will be facing any two of the best-ranked sides from Pot 1 & 2 in their group in a bid to reach the tournament last sixteen.
The 24-nations were divided into a group of four, with six teams each from Pot one to six.
On July 28th, CAF announced August 17 as the official date for the 24 nations TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations draw in Cameroon.
The 33rd edition of the continental showpiece will run from January 9 to February 6 2022.
Sierra Leone qualified after twenty-five years since 1996 when they last participated in the finals in South Africa.
The top two teams of each group, along with the best four third-placed teams, advanced to the round of 16.
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by FSL News | 10 Jun, 2017 | African News
Madagascar defeated Sudan 3-1 on Friday in their first leg opening Group A tie of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Al-Ubayyid Stadium in Al-Ubayyid.
The victory means the Barea top Group A standings with three points, while the Falcons of Jediane are placed at the bottom without a single point.
Libya also was very comfortable as the host team. The Mediterranean Knights are top of Group E standings after thrashing Seychelles 5-1 in their opening Group E tie at the Stade Chedly Zouiten in Tunisia.
Elsewhere, on Saturday Sierra Leone hosting Kenya in Group F is another big match in Freetown as the race for Cameroon 2019 gets underway.
Another big clash on Sunday between two North African giant Tunisia and Egypt in Group J.
The 12 group winners will qualify along with the best three runners-up will join hosts Cameroon in the finals.
South African will be away in Nigeria a cracker in Group E. Libya are presently top of the group after the comfortable victory over Seychelles.
South Africa are looking for a first win ever win in a competitive match over Nigeria, there have been six wins for the Super Eagles and three draws since 1992.
The Super Eagles are aiming to qualify for the Nations Cup finals for the first time since winning the title in 2013.
2019 Nations Cup qualifiers –
Friday Results Grp A: Sudan 1-3 Madagascar – Grp E: Libya 5-1 Seychelles
Saturday (all times GMT):
Grp B: Malawi v Comoros (1230) Grp C: Burundi v South Sudan (1300)
Grp L: Cape Verde v Uganda Grp K: Zambia v Mozambique (1300)
Grp I: Botswana v Mauritania (1330) Grp B: Cameroon v Morocco (1400)
Grp J: Niger v Swaziland (1500) Grp K: Guinea-Bissau v Namibia (1600)
Grp E: Nigeria v South Africa (1600) Grp F: Sierra Leone v Kenya (1630)
Grp L: Tanzania v Lesotho (1700) Grp L: Cape Verde v Uganda (1730)
Grp G: DR Congo v Congo Grp I: Burkina Faso v Angola
Grp C: Mali v Gabon (1900) Grp A: Senegal v Equatorial Guinea (2000)
Grp H: Ivory Coast v Guinea (2000)
Sunday:
Grp G: Zimbabwe v Liberia (1300) Grp H: CAR v Rwanda (1400)
Grp D: Benin v The Gambia (1500) Grp B: Cameroon v Morocco (1400)
Grp F: Ghana v Ethiopia (1530) Grp J: Tunisia v Egypt (2200)
Grp D: Algeria v Togo (2100)
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by FSL News | 6 Jun, 2017 | African News
Belgium-based Royal Antwerp midfielder Johanna Omollo and Bulgaria based defender Abud Omar will not be part of the Kenya squad heading to Freetown on Thursday for the 2019 Africa Nations Cup first-leg qualifier in Freetown on June 10.
Football Sierra Leone understands that both players sustained injuries while playing for their respective clubs.
Omollo, who is a box-to-box midfielder has been very instrumental for Kenya in recent months and the same for Omar, a roving left-back with attacking flair.
Harambee Stars head coach Stanley Okumbi will be disappointed but must have to do without both internationals.
The game that will be of interest to the four teams in the group, which also includes Ethiopia and Ghana, will be broadcast live on South African satellite network SuperSport.
This is the first ever meeting between Sierra Leone and Kenya at national team level.
Tottenham Hotspur anchorman Victor Wanyama (Pictured), Erick Ouma Joseph Okumu, Brian Mandela, and Eric Johanna and others have already joined the training camp in Machakos.
Others including Michael Olunga, David Ochieng are expected by Wednesday ahead of departure, according to the Kenya Federation.
Meanwhile, the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone were defeated 1 nil by host Liberia in Monrovia in a friendly international on Monday at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium.
The only goal of the game was scored in the 78th minutes by LISCR football club striker Christopher Bigman Jackson.
Both Sierra Leone and Liberia were preparing for their respective Afcon 2019 openers.
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by FSL News | 4 Jun, 2017 | African News
South African satellite network SuperSport has included in its schedule to broadcast live the Sierra Leone and Kenya 2019 Africa Nations Cup first-leg qualifier in Freetown on June 10.
The game will be of interest to the four teams in the group, which also includes Ethiopia and Ghana, where the broadcaster is also available.
This is the first ever meeting between Sierra Leone and Kenya at national team level.
Skipper and Tottenham Hotspur anchorman Victor Wanyama, who has joined the national team camp in Machakos top the list of 13 foreign players expected to tackle the Leone Stars side full of foreign-based internationals.
It is yet unclear whether Sierra Leone will benefit from the broadcasting rights of the game.
Meanwhile, John Keister’s men are 39 places behind their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group F opponent the Harambee Stars of Kenya in the June Fifa rankings.
The Kenyans under the supervision of local coach Stanley Okumbi moved four places up to 74th from 78th they occupied last month.
Okumbi has lined out the race to Cameroon as one of his biggest objectives.
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -