by FSL News | 14 Jun, 2016 | African News
West Ham have signed Algerian winger Sofiane Feghouli (Pictured) from Valencia on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Feghouli, 26, joined Valencia from French side Grenoble back in 2010, scoring 42 goals in 243 appearances in the last six years.
Feghouli told the West Ham website: “I am very happy to sign for the Hammers and for Slaven Bilic. The history of the club is important for me in my decision.”
He is the Londoners second signing this summer following Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Havard Nordtveit, who joins on 1 July.
The 2012 Algerian Footballer of the Year, Feghouli has 40 caps and has played in three major tournaments.
The Algerian international has 35 caps and nine goals to his name and has impressed down the right-hand side for Valencia, with his pace, hard work and dribbling ability a particular highlight for the West Ham faithful to keep an eye out for.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 13 Jun, 2016 | African News
The Indomitable Lions, who have qualified for the tournament more times than any other African country and reached the 1990 quarter-finals, are among 20 teams to be split into five groups. The Indomitable Lions have appeared at the tournament seven times – more than any other African country – but have suffered in recent years.
Algeria, Ghana, and African champions Ivory Coast are among the top seeds based on Fifa’s rankings for June.
Twenty African teams will be split into five groups, with only the winners making it to the finals in Russia.
Nigeria, who boast the second most World Cup qualifications from Africa with five, have been included among the second seeds.
Eighteen of the teams in the draw, which will take place on 24 June, are among the top 20 in the rankings with Gabon (22) and Libya (33) the exceptions.
Qualifying kicks off in October, continues in November and there will be further four rounds during 2017 between August and November.
Cameroon’s last two appearances at the World Cup were a disaster. They lost all three of their group games in South Africa in 2010 and in Brazil four years later.
They have also suffered a miserable time on their continent, finishing bottom of their group at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Cameroon failed to qualify for the tournament in 2012 and 2013.
Seeding
Pot 1: Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia
Pot 2: Cape Verde, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Mali
Pot 3:Cameroon, Morocco, Guinea, South Africa, Congo Brazzaville
Pot 4: Uganda, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Gabon, Libya
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 11 Jun, 2016 | African News
Tragedy has hit Nigeria football again as former Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu, four-time manager of the Nigerian Super Eagles and Technical Director of the NFF is dead.
Amodu Shaibu the top coach was recently appointed Nigeria technical director.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Saturday that Amodu, 58, died after complaining of chest problems.
On Wednesday, Keshi, 54, died suddenly in Benin City.
Amodu and Keshi worked together as Nigeria coach and assistant coach respectively at the 2002 African Nations Cup.
Amodu, who qualified Nigeria to two World Cups, in 2002 and 2010, was re-appointed Nigeria manager in October 2014, replacing Stephen Keshi.
It was his fifth spell in charge of the country. Late Steven Keshi returned to the role two weeks later but was fired in July 2015 and Amodu took over the Eagles again temporarily.
He was replaced by Sunday Oliseh on a permanent basis later that month.
Senior football officials told AFP Amodu was hypertensive and had been on medication. Keshi assisted Amodu when Nigeria qualified for the 2002 World Cup.
Amodu rose to prominence when he guided BCC Lions of Gboko to win the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1991.
The late Amodu has managed a number of club sides in Nigeria, such as BCC Lions, El-Kanemi Warriors, and Shooting Stars; he also managed Orlando Pirates in South Africa.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 8 Jun, 2016 | African News
RIP: Nigeria legend Steven Keshi passes away aged 54
Steven Keshi was one of African football’s finest and best-known figures and had three spells in charge of the Super Eagles.
The world is mourning the Super Eagles Legend demise. The news was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Association on Wednesday morning.
Former Nigeria captain and Togo’s national team manager Stephen Keshi died from a suspected heart attack at the age of 54 according to reports.
Keshi began his managerial career with Togo in 2004 and would have three stints with the Sparrow Hawks during which he led them to a surprise qualification for the 2006 World Cup. He had a two-year spell with Mali before landing the Super Eagles job in 2011.
During his playing career, Keshi lifted the Nations Cup with the Super Eagles in 1994 and then went on to coach his Nigeria in three spells, which included a last-16 finish in the 2014 World Cup.
After winning 64 Nigeria caps as a central defender between 1981-95, Keshi had three stints in charge of Togo before taking over as Nigeria coach in 2011. He also coached Mali between 2008-10.
He led Nigeria to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating Burkina Faso in the final in South Africa before guiding them to the second round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
During his 20-year playing career, he had spells at Belgian side Anderlecht, plus stints in France, the United States and Malaysia. He won 64 caps for his country at centre-back between 1981 and 1995, scoring nine goals.
Keshi’s contract with Nigeria was not renewed after the 2014 World Cup, despite a strong showing where the Super Eagles lost in the second round to France.
Keshi’s wife Kate passed away last December after a three-year battle with cancer. Keshi is survived by their four children.
@football_sierra
by Admin | 2 Jun, 2016 | African News
Sudan’s newly appointed national skipper Muhannad El Tahir (Pictured) is confident that they can win in Freetown against Sierra Leone.
Speaking ahead of their Group I crucial clash this Saturday, 4 June 2016, the Al-Hilal striker who is targeting a historic third appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations after 2008 and 2012 has said only a victory will improve their chances.
“The real value of the game is that it is very important on the road to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon in 2017. Certainly, every member of the team is motivated and eager to have a taste of the continental championship. The players are well aware of the value of playing at the Africa Cup of Nations finals,” Muhannad El Tahir told Cafonline.com
“They have the feeling that if you don’t do well in the qualifiers, you cannot be among the best teams on the continent at the final tournament. It comes with a great effort and you have to struggle to achieve the result.
The players are highly motivated with the core of the team personally motivated by the desire to play in the finals of the AFCON. There can be no better motivation for a player than playing for your country at the AFCON finals.
When you get the chance to wear your national colours at such a big tournament, it brings out a sense of national pride and also the joy of the whole nation is in your hands.
“My personal ambition as a player is to strive to achieve success. Also, the determination to continue playing for the national team pushed me to accept the honour to wear the prestigious armband.Throughout my career, I missed out on the national team only twice. The truth is that it is not easy to wear the captain’s armband to lead a national team. It is a big responsibility.
The 1970 African champions have four points going into the fifth round of the qualifiers, one behind leaders Cote d’Ivoire.
Host Sierra Leone with only a point fully mindful that only a win will reinforce their hold for Gabon 2017.
Since the country has been cleared to host International football matches the expectation has soared following a 1-0 win at home against Gabon back in March.
The Sudan tie will be Sierra Leone’s third international football match after the deadly Ebola virus that ravaged hundreds of lives. Victory for the Leone Stars will move them second behind Ivory Coast in the group standings.
@football_sierra
by Admin | 1 Jun, 2016 | African News
The Harambee Stars of Kenya were held to a 1-1 draw by the Falcons of Jediane, Sudan in a friendly match played at Kasarani Nairobi on Tuesday.
The visitors were close to a win thanks to a stoppage time goal from defender and captain of the day Brian Mandela, who cancelled out Nazar Hamid’s 24th minutes strike for Sudan.
The Falcons took the lead in the 24th minute. Joseph Mbugi was dispossessed by Nazar Hamid, who in turn released an unstoppable shot from outside the 18-yard box, to put his side ahead.
Host Kenya ended the match with ten men in the dying minutes after Kahata was sent off following a second bookable offence.
Both Nations was using the test contest as groundwork for their respective Africa Nations Cup qualifiers.
Host Kenya will battle Congo Brazzaville on June 5 in Group E, while Sudan will be away to Sierra Leone in a crunch tie.
Kenya Starting XI: David Okello (GK), Musa Mohammed, Brian Mandela, Joseph Okumu, Erick Ouma, Joseph Mbugi (Francis Kahata 32’), Tyrus Omondi (Ismael Gonzalez 46’), Paul Were (Jeffery Owiti 78’), Ovella Ochieng’ (Cliff Miheso 54’), Wycliffe Ochomo (Jesse Were 53’)
Unused subs: Lucas Indeche (GK), Ian Otieno (GK), Amos Nondi,
Sudan Starting XI: 1.Akram Elhadi, 16.Mudathir Eltayeb (Bakhiet Khamis 81’),18. Amir Kamal (Omer Mahmoud 70’) 6.Ali Jafar,3.Malawia Bashir,15.Athar Eltahir, 14.Abu Abdalla, 7.Ramadhan Agab (2.Eltahir Elhag 78’),13.Nazar Hamid,12.Salah Ibrahim,10.Mohaned Tahir
Unused Subs:1. Awad E l Karim (GK) 5.Salaheldin Mahmoud, 19.Mohamed Ahmed,9.Mohamed Abdelmoniem,14. Omer Mahmoud
Follow the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net
Sierra Leone | Highlights -