by FSL News | 4 Sep, 2016 | African News
Manchester City ace Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the game to give Nigeria their first win of an underwhelming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on Saturday in Uyo.
With the 1-0 success, Nigeria finished the group stage on five points, while Tanzania were bottom of a three-team group already won by Egypt.
The Super Eagles created a rash of chances in this dead rubber game, but wasteful finishing and the brilliance of goalkeeper Aishi Manula ensured they had to wait until the 78th minute to snatch victory at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium.
It was a winning start for new manager Gernot Rohr, but he certainly knows his team will have to improve their shooting in time for next month’s World Cup qualifier in Zambia.
The Eagles created a rash of chances in the first 45 minutes, but couldn’t not make any of them count against an inspired Manula.
In the 12th minute, captain John Obi Mikel released Ahmed Musa, but the Leicester City forward failed to tuck away the opening.
On 24 minutes, Manula denied Iheanacho, before Victor Moses fluffed another chance two minutes later.
Three minutes from half time, Manula pulled off a big save to deny Odion Ighalo.
It was a similar story in the second half with Mikel denied by Manula after 59 minutes but Iheanacho, 19, conjured a wonder strike 12 minutes from time to finally break the deadlock.
Champions Ivory Coast to defend their crown
Title-holders Ivory Coast cleared a header off their goal-line in stoppage time to hang on to a 1-1 draw with Sierra Leone on Saturday to squeeze into the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Jonathan Kodjia scored via a bicycle kick after 35 minutes for the Ivorians before a sell-out 25,000 crowd in Bouake but Kei Kamara equalised on 67 minutes with a glancing header following a free kick.
It was Kamara, back after a self-imposed one-year exile having accused Sierra Leone officials of disrespecting him, who almost took his country to the finals after a 20-year absence.
Sierra Leone were awarded a corner five minutes into stoppage time but a far-post Kamara header was cleared off the line.
Ivory Coast qualified for a seventh straight Cup of Nations by winning Group I with six points after drawing twice against Sierra Leone and taking four points off Sudan.
Sierra Leone finished with five points and Sudan with four.
Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Morocco, Senegal and Zimbabwe secured places ahead of the final round and hosts Gabon are automatic participants as hosts.
Another 14 matches are scheduled for Sunday with the remaining five places up for grabs.
Ethiopia fell behind against Seychelles in Hawassa before goals from Getaneh Kebede and Saladin Said either side of half time brought a 2-1 win and hope of qualification as one of the best two runners-up.
It was the sixth goal of the qualifying campaign for Kebede in Group J and moved him to the top of the scorers charts.
Fouad Al Triki scored a late goal as Libya shocked Cape Verde 1-0 in a Group F match interrupted when a dog wandered onto the pitch in Praia.
Defeat eliminated Cape Verde, who were briefly ranked No 1 in Africa this year and had been seeking a third consecutive Cup of Nations appearance.
Group H winners Ghana lacked numerous first choices, including Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan, and were held 1-1 in Accra by Rwanda.
Samuel Tettah put the Black Stars ahead midway through the opening half with a low shot and Muhadjir Hakizimana levelled off a free-kick seven minutes from time.
Mozambique jumped from fourth to second in the same mini-league after a last-gasp goal earned a 1-0 win over Mauritius in Maputo.
Cameroon cruised to a 2-0 victory over bottom-of-the-table Group M team Gambia in Limbe.
Benjamin Moukandjo converted a first-half penalty for a foul on Karl Toko Ekambi, who scored the second goal soon after half-time.
A dismal run by Angola in Group B extended to five matches without a win when they were held 1-1 by Madagascar in Luanda.
Bapasy put the visitors ahead during the opening half with a glancing header off a corner and Gelson levelled nine minutes into the second half.
Senegal finished with a perfect Group K record thanks to a predictable 2-0 win over Namibia in Dakar through goals from Balde Keita and Famara Diedhiou.
(Credit The National)
by FSL News | 27 Aug, 2016 | African News
Ivory Coast coach, Michel Dussuyer has left out Manchester City duo, Yaya Toure & Wilfried Bony from the Elephant squad ahead of their 3 September decisive 2017 AFCON final qualifying match against Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.
The two nations will clash at the Stade Bouaké now Stadium of Peace in what is describe as the Group I decider for a place in Gabon but the home side will have to make do without the Manchester City pair.
Coach Dussuyer final 23-man squad was made know last Thursday in a press conference at the headquarters of the Ivorian Football Federation (IFF).
The French boss, when asked about Toure’s absent, said: “A meeting is planned with Yaya Toure. After which everyone will be updated.”
Another player that will miss the September 3 encounter is Stuttgart midfielder Serey Die who is recovering from a leg injury he suffered on April 5 while playing for Stuttgart in their 2-2 draw with Darmstadt.
However, there is some good news for the former Guinea national team coach as PSG defender Serge Aurier and newly acquired Manchester United central-back Eric Bailly are available for selection.
Aurier had not been involved with the Elephants since March 29 in Khartoum against Sudan during the fourth round matches.
Meanwhile, the former French international also recalled Deli Simon of Sparta Prague, Ousmane Viera, Wilfried Kanon and Kone Lamine Traore.
In midfield, Franck Kessie, now a pivot in Atlanta Bergamo in Italy and Serge N’Guessan the new resident of the French league was again recalled by Dussuyer.
With the absent of Toure and Bony, Dussuyer recalled Max Gradel, Yao Kouassi Gervais, Kodja Jonathan and Giovanni Sio Thomas of Girondins de Bordeaux.
While goalkeeper Gbohouo Sylvain will be assisted by Sayouba Mande and Sangare Badra.
Ivory Coast are currently leading group I with 5 points and only need to avoid defeat to secure qualification while Sierra Leone who are with 4 points can progress to Gabon 2017 with only a victory.
Full Squad:
Keepers: GBOHOUO Sylvain (TP Mazembe – DR Congo), SANGARE BADRA Ali (AS Tanda – Côte d’Ivoire)
And Sayouba Mande ( Stabaek – Norway ).
Defenders: AURIER Serge (Paris SG – France), BAILLY Eric (Manchester United – England), DELI Simon ( Slavia Prague – Republic Czech ), DIARRASSOUBA Ousmane Viera ( Adanaspor – Turkey ), GOUA Mahan Marc ( Asec Mimosas – Cote d’Ivoire ), KANON Wilfred (ADO The Hague – Netherlands), KONE Lamine (Sunderland AFC – England ) And TRAORE Adama (FC Basel – Switzerland).
Midfielders: Angban Victorian (Granada CF – Spain ), DIOMANDE Ishmael (SM Caen – France), DOUKOURE Sheik (FC Metz – France), KESSIE Franck (Atlanta Bergamo – Italy ), N’Guessan Yao Serge (AS Nancy Lorraine – France) and SERI John Michael ( OGC Nice – France).
Strikers: Gradel Max-Alain (AFC Bournemouth – England), Kouassi Yao Gervais (Hebei Fortune FC – China), KALOU Solomon ( Hertha Berlin – Germany ), Kodjia Jonathan (Bristol City FC – England ), SIO Giovanni ( Stade Rennais – France) and TOURE Thomas ( Girondins de Bordeaux – France).
Follow the writer @morrisjr88
by FSL News | 19 Aug, 2016 | African News
Former Sierra Leone coach Johnny McKinstry was disappointed to be let go by Rwanda.
Johnny McKinstry was let go by the Rwanda’s football federation (FERWAFA) on Thursday after 15 months in charge of Amavubi.
His sacking was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Culture Lt Col Patrice Rugambwa.
McKinstry, 31, has expressed his shock after he was sacked as head coach of Rwanda’s national team.
“I am in shock because I have not been told why the Federation has taken this decision,” McKinstry said.
“This period has been one of the best in terms of performance for Rwanda,” he added.
“However, it has been an honour to be Head Coach of the Rwanda National Team for the past year and a half.”
McKinstry was appointed as Rwanda’s head coach in March 2015.
He managed to register 11 wins, two draws and a dozen defeats in the 25 games he was in charge of Rwanda.
Rwanda ranked 121 in the global ranking and they are already out of the road to Gabon 2017.
Mckinstry guided Sierra Leone to their highest ever FIFA World and African rankings – 7th in Africa and 50th in the World in his 16 months in charge.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 18 Aug, 2016 | African News
Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho has signed a new two-year deal tying him to the club until 2021.
The 19-year-old Nigerian scored 14 goals in his breakthrough campaign at the Etihad Stadium last season, and now looks set for a pivotal role under new boss Pep Guardiola.
Iheanacho told City’s official website, “I can’t express how I’m feeling now, I’m excited.”
“I just need to keep working hard and express my feelings on the pitch and work really well and do great things for the team.
“I’m happy and I appreciate everything the club has done for me so far at this point so I really need to help and work for them as well.”
The youngster was a late substitute in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Sunderland.
“Kelechi is a natural goal-scorer,” said Guardiola.
“I knew about him before, but I’ve been really impressed with him since I arrived.
“I like his personality, his attitude, his ability: we hope to help him reach the highest level and to realise his full potential.”
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 15 Aug, 2016 | African News
DR Congo international Yannick Bolasie in Photo signs for Everton
Everton signed DR Congo international midfielder Yannick Bolasie from Crystal Palace on a five-year deal for £25 million.
Bolasie, 27, spent four seasons with Palace after joining the London side from Bristol City in 2012.
Speaking to Everton TV the Democratic Republic of Congo international said: “I’m looking forward to putting on the Everton shirt.
“This is a big club and I know all about it from having played against them over the years.
For me, it was a no-brainer to come here. But now that I’ve come to Everton, the job is not done. I’ve got to work hard and feel my way in. I’m ready and up for the challenge.”
Since joining Palace in August 2012, on a three-year contract, he has made 143 appearances scoring 13 goals, and came on as a substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by West Brom.
The attacking midfielder made his international debut in a 2014 World Cup qualification 0–0 draw with Libya.
The former Bristol City player was also selected in the Congolese squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and he scored the equaliser in their first group game, a 1–1 draw against Zambia at the Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín on 18 January.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 6 Aug, 2016 | African News
Ghanaian striker Andre Ayew pictured is close to a move from Swansea City to West Ham United.
Football Sierra Leone understands that West Ham have agreed on a fee of about £20m to sign Ghana striker Andre Ayew from Swansea City.
The 26-year-old, who arrived from Marseille in 2015 on a free transfer, was the Swans’ top scorer with 12 last seasons.
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic remains eager to bring in “a minimum of five players” before the close of the transfer window.
They are expected to remain in the market in the priority positions of striker and left-back.
However, the Swans want more time to get in another striker before concluding the deal for Ayew and they are chasing strikers Fernando Llorente of Sevilla and Leicester City attacker Leonardo Ulloa.
@football_sierra
Sierra Leone | Highlights -