by FSL News | 18 Dec, 2016 | African News
The Ivorian International Jonathan Kodjia (Pictured) scored the decisive goal to down QPR 1-0 at Loftus Road Stadium.
The Elephants striker eighth goal of the season was enough to hand Aston Villa a deserved 1-0 win at QPR.
The lively striker, who squandered a golden opportunity to give Steve Bruce’s side the lead at Loftus Road bounced back from his first-half penalty misery to scored Villa’s winner on Sunday.
Kodjia’s spot kick was saved by Alex Smithies, who had an excellent game for the hosts. But the 27-year-old Ivorian made amends with 15 minutes remaining, slotting a low effort home to hand Villa only their second away Sky Bet Championship victory since the start of last season.
The result means the White City-based club are now just three points above the relegation zone, while Villa are six points from the final play-off place.
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by FSL News | 12 Dec, 2016 | African News
Algeria and Leicester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez has won the BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
Mahrez, 25, who joined Leicester from Le Havre in 2014 beating off competition from Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, West Ham frontman Andre Ayew, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to claim the prize.
“It means a lot because I’m African. It’s something big for an African player. I’m very happy and proud to receive it,” Mahrez said after being presented with the award.
You, yes you, the fans, have spoken and here’s your chosen #bbcafoty; Riyad Mahrez! ?
The former Le Havre sensational scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists a driving the Foxes’ success, as they secured the Premier League title last term.
Mahrez has won 27 caps for his country and continues to be a key member of Georges Leekens’s national side.
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by FSL News | 3 Dec, 2016 | African News
The Nigerian Super Falcons have emerged champions of Africa again after beating Cameroon 1-0 in the finals of the 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations on Saturday.
In front of Cameroon president Paul Biya, the Cameroonians were aiming to win their first title and also avenge their 2014 defeat by Nigeria, but Desire Oparanozie only goal was enough for the Falcons to defeat the host in a nervy final match played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Omnisports Stadium in Yaoundé.
The win means Nigeria secure their eight African titles. The Falcons coach, Florence Omagbem is the first individual to win the AWCON as a player and a coach.
Ghana finished third in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after beating South Africa in the third-place match on Friday at the same stadium.
The international women’s continental competition was first held in 1991 when teams competed for the trophy over several months. It was the same format in 1995.
Since 1998, however, it has been held as a tournament every two years, with eight teams taking part. Cameroon is hosting this one, the 10th edition.
Teams are divided into two groups of four, with the top two sides advancing straight to the semi-finals.
Cameroon, who have never won the competition, qualified as hosts and were joined by Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Egypt, debutants Kenya and Mali, who replaced Equatorial Guinea after they were disqualified for fielding a player using fraudulent documents.
Nigeria are the continent’s dominant force. Only one other nation, Equatorial Guinea, has won this tournament, coming out on top in both 2008 and 2012.
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by FSL News | 2 Dec, 2016 | African News
Ghana finished third in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after beating South Africa in the third-place match on Friday at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.
Defender Linda Eshun put the Ghanaians ahead with the only goal just after the break to ensure the Black Queens went home with some pride, after yet again failing to break the jinx as far as the ultimate at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is concerned.
It was the third time that the West Africans had finished third after 2000 and 2004, whilst the Banyana Banyana replicated their performance two years ago in Namibia.
CAF: Banyana Banyana failed to collect a medal at the 2016 African Women’s Nations Cup played in Cameroon.
South Africa will yet again live to regret the countless goal scoring chances that came their way in an encounter that they were by far the better side in the opening half. They could have at least ended the first half with a lead but failed to make their dominance and control of the game count on the scoring cards.
Midfielder Refiloe Jane headed wide on 22 minutes from close range before Ghana goalie Patricia Mantey denied the former again on the half-hour mark after Andisiwe Mgcoyi had put her through.
Midway, the South Africans were dealt a huge blow when central defender Bambanani Mbane was stretched off and her place taken by Noko Matlou.
With the Ghanaians struggling in search of their feet, goalie Mantey was at her best yet again parrying a Janine Van Wyk free-kick just before the break.
Three minutes into the second half, Eshun scrambled home from a corner to give the Ghanaians a lead that they will hold on for the remainder of the game.
The South Africans had some good moments to draw level with Leandra Smeda, Mgcoyi and Mamello Makhabane all fluffing golden opportunities to equalise.
The introduction of skilful forward Thembi Kgatlana in the dying moments almost salvaged a point for the South Africans but it was little too late as Ghana held on to victory.
Meanwhile, Nigeria will lock horn on Saturday with host nation Cameroon in the grand finale. Hosts Cameroon are confident ahead of their grand finale in the women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Yaounde.
The Cameroonian’s are aiming to win their first title and also avenge their 2014 defeat by Nigeria. The Indomitable Lionesses lost 2-0 two years ago and were also beaten by Nigeria in their other appearances in the final in 2004.
CAF! @football_sierra
by FSL News | 28 Nov, 2016 | African News
Wilfried Zaha has decided to play international football for Ivory Coast after failing to add to the two England caps he won in friendlies.
The announcement comes ahead of the African Cup of Nations, which is being played in the middle of the Premier League season in January.
The 24-year-old Crystal Palace winger was an England Under-21 team regular before stepping up to the senior side and earning caps against Sweden, in November 2012, and Scotland, in August 2013.
But because neither match was a competitive fixture, Zaha has been able to commit to the Ivory Coast, the country’s national football association announced on Sunday.
It announced in a statement: “The Ivorian-English attacking midfielder Wilfried Zaha has chosen to play for the Elephants, under the colours of the Ivory Coast, his country of origin. The player has sent, on this Sunday November 27 2016, correspondence to FIFA to change his national team.
“In the presence of his father, of Augustin Sidy Diallo (president of the FIF) and Michel Dussuyer (Elephants coach), he signed at the bottom of the demand to change his sporting nationality addressed to FIFA.
“Born on November 10 in Abidjan, Wilfried Zaha grew up in England, the country of which he made two appearances in friendly matches. However the Crystal Palace player remains eligible to play for the Ivory Coast.”
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by FSL News | 26 Nov, 2016 | African News
Victor Moses winner helps Chelsea FC to come from behind to win a seventh straight league game in a pulsating London derby at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Goals either side of half-time from Spanish international Pedro and the Nigerian winger Victor Moses were enough to cancel out Christian Eriksen’s opener.
The victory preserved Antonio Conte’s side place at the top of the summit and end Tottenham Premier League unbeaten run this season.
The Nigerian who has scored four times in 14 appearances for Chelsea took to twitter to express his delight after full time, he said. “What a feeling! So happy to get the win in such a big game. Thankful to score and help the team! Good to celebrate with @iam_davido too #CFC.”
He was named Man of the match as Chelsea beat Middlesbrough last weekend and he was also picked as the top performer against Spurs.
Chelsea (3-4-3): Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c), Moses (Ivanovic 80), Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro (Oscar 83), Diego Costa, Hazard (Willian 76).
Unused subs Begovic, Fabregas, Chalobah, Batshuayi.
Scorers Pedro 44, Moses 51
Booked David Luiz 18, Willian 85
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Wimmer; Wanyama, Dembele; Son (Winks 65), Alli (N’Koudou 73), Eriksen, Kane.
Unused subs Vorm, Carter-Vickers, Trippier, Onomah, Janssen.
Scorer Eriksen 11
Booked Dembele 26
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -