by FSL News | 27 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
- The Leone Stars of Sierra Leone moved up to 116th from 120th in November 26th FIFA ranking announced.
- John Keister’s men steeped up to four places in the grading released by the football world’s governing body, FIFA.
After their impressive showing against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in matchday three and four of the 2022 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, Sierra Leone has been rewarded.
Coming from four goals down to level things at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City has dubbed as one of the best comebacks in African football in recent years.
The Super Eagles were unable to avenge the result as both teams played to a barren draw in Freetown in the rematch.
In Africa, Sierra Leone now rated as the 29th best after proving tough against one of Africa’s top soccer nations.
Meanwhile, Afcon qualifying Group L opponents, the Super Eagles dropped three places to 35th from 32nd position while Benin static at 83rd and Lesotho 143rd in the latest Fifa World Rankings released.
The Super Eagles, who failed to defeat Sierra Leone on November 13 and 17, stayed as the fourth-best team in Africa despite poor showing during the period reviewed.
Senegal maintained the top-ranked team on the continent at number 21 in the world, followed by Tunisia (26), Algeria (30), Nigeria (32), and Morocco (39).
Belgium, France, Brazil, England Portugal, Spain, Argentina, Uruguay and Mexico, Italy making the top ten on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 10 December 2020.
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by FSL News | 23 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
FIFA says Ahmad had “breached his duty of loyalty, offered gifts and other benefits, mismanaged funds and abused his position as the CAF President”.
Ahmad, 60, has also been fined 200,000 Swiss francs ($220,000) by FIFA for the misdeeds, which related to “the organisation and financing of an Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca” and his involvement in CAF’s dealings with a sports equipment company.
Ahmad last week stood down from his post for 20 days after testing positive for coronavirus, can appeal the ban “from all football-related activity” at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
In April 2019 he was accused of a series of offences by former CAF official Amr Fahmy, who informed FIFA in a letter that Ahmad had paid bribes to directors, made personal use of CAF funds and sexually harassed several employees.
Two months later he was arrested in Paris while at the FIFA Congress ahead of that year’s women’s World Cup as part of a probe into corruption but was released a day later without charge.
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by FSL News | 22 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
The President of the Ivorian Football Federation, (FIF) Augustin Sidy Diallo has been confirmed dead on Saturday, November 20, 2020, at aged 61 after contracting the deadly covid-19 pandemic.
After tested positive for coronavirus, he was taken to hospital but could not survive after several days.
News of his death sent shockwaves across the West African country and African football in general.
Diallo is known for his successes with the national team. He was elected as President of the Ivorian FA in September 2011 and spent nine years as the head of Ivorian football.
During his reign, he won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations title and guided the country to take part in the 2014 World Cup.
He was the Vice President of FIF from 1991 to 1994, under the leadership of Dieng Ousseynou and Jacques Anouma which resulted in excellent results including winning their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1992.
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by FSL News | 20 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
- Four nations have joined Cameroon for the 2021 Total Africa Cup of Nations final next year after Tuesday (17 November 2020) qualifiers were concluded.
The 33rd edition is slated for January and February 2022.
Holders Algeria, 2019 runners up Senegal, Tunisia, and Mali all booked their place in the next edition of the continental showpiece with two matchdays to spare.
Cameroon who had already qualified as host used the qualifiers to better prepare for the finals proper. They are currently topping their group with 10 points after four playing days.
Meanwhile, Chad, Sao Tome and Principe, Togo and Eswatini can no longer qualify to the finals.
24 matches were played over the 12 groups with eight wins for the home sides, nine draws, and seven away victories.
A total of 46 goals scored (1.9 goals per game).
Source: CAFOnline
by FSL News | 17 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
- Three changes from the first leg as FC Kallon defender Abu-Bakar Samura to start against Nigeria as a replacement for skipper Umaru Bangura.
- FC Zire defender Alie Sesay will start on the bench.
- Live Broadcast at SLBC TV channel 31, AYV TV Facebook online. Kickoff 16 hrs local time.
Samura, who is a promising prospect, will have to go against some of the big-name stars in the Nigerian squad this afternoon at the Siaka Steven Stadium.
Heavy-weight Randers striker Alhaji Kamara following his brace in the first tie on Friday will start alongside Kei Kamara.
In midfield, Keshla midfielder John Kamara makes way for former AC Miland midfielder, Rodney Strasser, who will battle in the middle of the pack alongside former Bolton enforcer Mohamed Medo Kamara.
Coach John Keister will be hoping for a positive reaction like the second 45-minute in Nigeria.
Nigeria coach Rohr, on the other hand, will be aiming his side put up a strong show after their lacklustre display to surrendered four-goal advantage on Friday.
by FSL News | 15 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
- John Keister’s men must be brewing with confidence going into matchday four of the African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Siaka Steven Stadium on Tuesday.
- Leone Stars must replicate a reverse performance of the second half first leg if they are to combat a rejuvenated Super Eagles, who will be coming to write-off the wrongs of the meeting in Nigeria.
The group top scorer Napoli’s hitman Victor Osimhen has been ruled out. Regardless, German coach Gernot Rohr still have a host of strikers to call upon.
A win for the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone will surely pave a new direction and improve their chances to reach their third African Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon 2022.
However, a defeat or draw depending on the result in Lesotho will leave the Leone Stars with a slim hope which will not be good for a side that exhibited passion and resilient at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Friday.
Having come from four-goal down to draw 4-4 sharing of the spoils against one of Africa’s footballing powerhouse, self-assurance must be brewing within the Leone Stars camp, but they must not be complacent in Freetown.
History can repeat itself as in 2001 when big names like centre back Taribo West, midfield maestro Jay-jay Okocha, enforcer Sunday Oliseh, winger Finidi George, present assistant coach Joseph Yobo were all part of a strong Eagles first team when local hero Sidique Mansaray under the supervision of Sam Obi Metzger trampled the Eagles wings to a 1-0 victory.
Coach John Keister was in the Leone Stars side during the FIFA World Cup Africa group B April 2001. On that day, he was a destroyer in the middle of the pack for Sierra Leone.
It’s not an exaggeration to say Nigeria can win in Freetown because they are proving soccer power in our continent, but Tuesday’s tie can go either way.
The three-time African Champions faced an embarrassing score-line to their West African counterparts’ 88th places below then in the global ranking which led to the President of the Nigerian Football Federation Amaju Pinnick to immediately summoned coach Gernot Roh, his technical crew and players to a stressful meeting just to command a four-goal victory without a reply from the host.
A strong message many have described as a possible team talk for the Leone Stars technical team.
Sierra Leone last Cup of Nations finals was South Africa 1996 some 26 years ago.
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