by FSL News | 15 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sierra Leone Soccer team Profile
A 19-min spot-kick converted by Sierra Leone striker Kei Kamara was enough as the Leone Stars won the final spot for the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations to be played in Cameroon 9 January – 6 February 2022.
Despite Benin rally late on, the Leone Stars held on for a laudable win as they join the other 23 teams at the finals in Cameroon in January.
Coach John Kiester registered his first win in the qualification men to guide Sierra Leone to the tournament for the first time in 25 years, while Michel Dussuyer’s Benin reached the quarterfinals in the 2019 edition in Egypt were left ruing their missed chance.
The country last participated in the 1996 Nations Cup in South African, where they were defeated by Zambia 4-0 and Algeria 2-0.
They won their only game against Burkina-Faso 2-1 at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, with goals from Sessa 11 and Mohamed Kallon 89 minute.
The crunch encounter, initially billed for Tuesday, March 30, at the National Stadium, Freetown did not take place owing to a Covid-19 controversy.
Following controversy in March, the Confederation of African Football moved the game to June 14 at the General Lansana Conte Stadium, but again the game did not go as planned owing to another Covid controversy.
Coach John Keister, in an exciting mood, briefly told this medium that the win is for every single Sierra Leonean. “I am delighted not for myself but for the country I love and my people.”
by FSL News | 14 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sport News
Reports reaching this medium have confirmed Sierra Leone officials are contesting the result of six players who allegedly tested positive for Covid 19 in Guinea.
The news was received when the Sierra Leone team doing a pre-match warm-up at the Général Lansana Conté de Nongo on Monday, 14 June, in Guinea.
Peterborough striker Idris Kanu are among the names alleged to be infected. The 21-year old was expected to make his debut after he was named on the bench. The others are goalkeepers Ibrahim Sesay and Francis Koroma, Augustus Kargbo, Alusine Koroma and Kassim Sima Turay.
As a result, there is a delay due to this new predicament surround the game. The match officials are waiting on the decision from the Confederation of African football.
The match in Guinea was to settle a place at the 24-team Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon next January Benin needing a draw, but their hosts had to win.
It could be recalled, Benin refused to play in Freetown, March 30, claiming to receive their result late before kick-off.
On that occasion, Benin refused to honour the fixture as they accused Sierra Leone of the bad timing of their results. They claimed the timing breach CAf Covid-19 protocols.
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by FSL News | 12 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sport News
Guinean Football Federation has turned down Sierra Leone Football Association request to accept 30% of fans for Monday crucial decider.
The SLFA made their request through the Confederation of African Football. However, the GFF in a communique has confirmed that the match will be played with no spectators.
As a result, the final 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match will be played in an empty Général Lansana Conté de Nongo on Monday, 14 June, in Guinea.
Meanwhile, Tunisian referee Haythem Guirat will take charge of the crucial decider. The experience FIFA referee will be aided by Faouzi Jridi (Assistant I), Youssef Jemmi (Assistant 2), and Mehrez Melki (Fourth Official).
Meanwhile, The Match Commissioner is a Ghanaian Munkaila Nassam Adam.
Guinean Mohamed Bangoura is the new Match Covid-19 officer replacing Songor Koedoyoma from Sierra Leone whilst Liberia G Andy Quamie remains the CAF Security Officer.
Apart from Mohamed Bangoura, all of the other officials were in Sierra Leone on March 30 during the first covid-19 disagreement that led to rearrangement.
Coach Keister with a huge task to break the Sierra Leone African Cup of Nation jinx. The Leone Stars last out in the continental showpiece was back in 1996 in South Africa when they beat Burkina Faso 2-1 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein.
Sierra Leone destiny in their hands going into their final Group L encounter against Michel Dussuyer’s Squirrels.
Monday’s crunchy decider will the fourth meeting between the two nations in fifteen years.
Sierra Leone or Benin will complete the 24 nations Afcon set for Cameroon 2022.
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by FSL News | 11 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sport News
Tunisian referee Haythem Guirat will take charge of the crucial decider between Sierra Leone and Benin, to be played on Monday, June 14, at the Stade Général Lansana Conté de Nongo, Guinea.
Guirat will be assisted by his compatriots in a game set to be watched by the entire Africa.
The experience FIFA referee will be aided by Faouzi Jridi (Assistant I), Youssef Jemmi (Assistant 2), and Mehrez Melki (Fourth Official).
Meanwhile, The Match Commissioner is a Ghanaian Munkaila Nassam Adam.
Guinean Mohamed Bangoura is the new Match Covid-19 officer replacing Songor Koedoyoma from Sierra Leone whilst Liberia G Andy Quamie remains the CAF Security Officer.
Apart from Mohamed Bangoura, all of the other officials were in Sierra Leone on March 30 during the first covid-19 disagreement that led to rearrangement.
The winner between Sierra Leone and Benin will complete the 24 nations Afcon set for Cameroon 2022.
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by FSL News | 8 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sport News
Sullay Kaikai and Peterborough striker Idriss Kanu both expected to arrive in Freetown this evening to join Leone Stars preparation, Football Sierra Leone understands.
Sierra Leone will take on Benin in their final African Cup of Nations qualifier expected this month. Both on transit in Belgium alongside Queens Park Rangers defender Osman Kakay.
It’s the first time both will be representing Sierra Leone if selected in coach John Keister final selection for this month African Cup of Nations qualifier.
Kaikai, 25, play an important role under Neil Critchley in their Championship promotion campaign this season. Kaikai, a 2019 signing from Dutch side NAC Breda, scored 13 times in 68 appearances for Blackpool.
Kanu, 21, also helped Peterborough win promotion out of League One at the end of the 2020–21 season. The Posh promoted back to the Championship, finishing runners-up after an eight-year stay in League One.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football have communicated the postponement of the AFCON draw.
The draw was initially scheduled for 25 June 2021, but a new date will confirm in due course.
Sierra Leone must win to reach the tournament for the first time in 25 years. Benin needed only a draw.
Sierra Leone or Benin will complete the 24 nations Afcon set for Cameroon 2022.
- Foreign-based listed already in Freetown in Coach Keister side
Alhaji Kamara (Striker Randers FC Danmark)
Augustus Kargbo (Striker A.C. Reggiana 1919 on loan from F.C. Crotone Italy)
Agustine Williams – (Striker LA Galaxy MSL)
Mustapha Bundu (Attacker Anderlecth Belgium)
Expected
John Kamara (Defensive midfielder Keshla FC)
Kwame Quee (Winger Víkingur Reykjavík)
Alusine Koroma (Attacking Midfielder Real Balompédica Linense Spain)
Alhassan Koroma (Winger Real Balompédica Linense Spain)
Christian Moses ( Linköping City)
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by FSL News | 3 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sport News
Rodney Michael has been successfully ‘cleared’ by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) to contest as a presidential candidate but says he will decide in 24 hours after extensive consultation.
The seasoned football administrator, who was disqualified by the SLFA Ethics board, told this medium he needs time to decide his position despite the top sport’s legal body has overturned in his favour.
Cas decision came two days after Incumbent Isha Johansen’s withdrawal. As a result, Rodney Michael, when decided, will join Sadick Deen-Nyarkoh, Thomas Daddy Brima set for Saturday’s SLFA elective congress in Makeni.
“The CAS decision is victory in the war against injustice and impunity after nine years of injustice,” Rodney vehemently told FSL UK.
“It is a victory for all Sierra Leoneans and an opportunity for a paradigm shift.
It is a relief, finally. I will decide in the next 24 hours if I will be contesting the elections or not after extensive consultation.”
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has partially upheld the appeal filed by Rodney Michael against the decision rendered on 25 March 2021 by the Ethics Board of the Sierra Leone Football Association,” Cas statement reads.
In delivering the ruling on Thursday, Cas said: “It found that there was no concrete evidence that Rodney Michael was in breach of the ethics regulations at this time. The sanctions which have been upheld by CAS are of minor importance and do not affect the status of Roney Michael to participate in the forthcoming presidential elections.”
Saturday’s SLFA’s elective congress will be the first in almost eight years ago since Incumbent Isha Johansen assumed office on August 3 2013.
Rodney Michael remains the most revered and popular football administrator in the country.
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