by FSL News | 15 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
- Nigeria German coach Gernot Rohr has confirmed that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen will miss Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations return qualifier against Sierra Leone in Freetown.
- However, Rohr still has Jupiler Pro-League top scorer, Paul Onuachu or Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho either of them can replace injured Osimhen in the rematch at the Siaka Steven Stadium.
Osimhen, 21, was subbed off after he dislocated his shoulder at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Friday.
He scored one of the goals in the exciting eight-goal thriller in Benin City.
The former Lille striker has since been discharged from hospital, but Rohr said he will not be available for Sierra Leone.
“He is out of the match after he dislocated his shoulder,” Rohr disclosed.
Meanwhile, Benin steps closer to Nigeria on six points after a 1-0 win over Lesotho at the Stade Charles de Gaulle on Saturday.
The Squirrels will be aiming to avoid defeat when they face Lesotho in the rematch to strengthen their grip closed to AFCON 2022.
Jodel Dossou’s 24th-minute goal was enough for Michel Dussuyer’s men who secured maximum points against Thabo Senong’s Crocodiles.
Nigeria still standing tall with seven points, Benin on six, Sierra Leone two and Lesotho one.
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by FSL News | 14 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
- The Squirrels of Benin will be eyeing a back to back win in the qualifying race to Cameroon 2022 when they take on Lesotho this afternoon.
- At the Au Stade Charles DeGaulle, Benin will go toe to toe against Lesotho, who shares national flag colours with Sierra Leone.
Group L – 14 November 2020 kick-off is at 16:00 hrs local time in Cotonou, Benin.
The West Africa nation recorded a 1-0 win over Sierra Leone in matchday two of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers in November 2019.
Lesotho, on the other hand, started their qualifying campaign in a closed-doors 1-1 outing to Sierra Leone in Freetown, before losing 4-2 to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Maseru last November.
A win for Lesotho will change proceedings in this group, especially after Sierra Leone famous rally in Nigeria on Friday.
Nigeria still leaders of Group L with seven points from three games, Benin in second and Sierra Leone third with two points after three matches.
AFCON Group L standings
by FSL News | 14 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News, Video & News
- After guided his side to one of Africa’s most famous comeback in Nigeria, Sierra Leone coach John Keister has applauded his super subs on Friday.
- All four of Keister’s changes providing the inspiration the Leone Stars needed coming from four-goal down to earn a remarkable 4-4 in 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Benin City, Edo State.
“We’re delighted. Playing away in Nigeria as always was going to be difficult,” Keister told journalists during his post-match.
“I think we showed Nigeria a lot of respect in the first half, but we realised we needed to bring in fresh legs and important players we left out.”
“The difference was the changes that we made. I’m not disappointed we didn’t win the match. We can’t be too greedy. We’ll take the draw to Freetown. I think it was a game of two halves.”
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Football Federation Amaju Pinnick has summoned Gernot Rohr and his technical crew to a meeting on Saturday what many Nigerians described a poor showing against Sierra Leone.
Nigeria still leaders of Group L with seven points from three games but a defeat in Sierra Leone will leave the race to Cameroon wide open.
The Leone Stars are third with two points after three matches with Benin and Lesotho set to play their game on the 14th of November.
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by FSL News | 13 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
Hebei Fortune China striker Mohamed Buya Turay, and MLS fifth all-time top scorer, Kei Kamara, to lead the Leone Stars attack against Nigeria.
Keister’s men face with a tough away job at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. Kickoff 17 hrs local time.
Former Chelsea academy graduate, Orebro SK left-back, Kevin Wright to make his official Sierra Leone debut.
In midfield, Keshla midfielder John Kamara, former Bolton enforcer Mohamed Medo Kamara and Kwame Quee to battle the Super Egles in the pack.
Local keeper East End Lions Mohamed Kamara, who was in goal in matchday two 1-0 defeat in Benin keep his position.
Coach John Keister will be hoping for a positive result in Nigeria before the return fixture in Freetown on the 17 at the Siaka Steven Stadium.
Nigeria coach Rohr earlier this week has stated that they are aiming to secure qualification for the 2022 Afcon finals in Cameroon in the double-header fixtures this month.
The Leone Stars’ only point came after a 1-1 draw against Lesotho before they suffered a 1-0 loss against Benin.
A reminder of Group L qualification standings
Sierra Leone bottom of 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying standings
by FSL News | 12 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
- Sierra Leone national head coach John Keister has urged his players to have the right mentality and belief going into matchday three of the African Cup of Nations qualifier in Nigeria.
- Keister’s men face with a tough away job at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
- The Leone Stars have only won once in their last six outings that include the two recent friendlies in October.
- Ranked 88th places below Nigeria, Sierra Leone must avoid a back to back defeat, worst-case scenario a win at home, if they are to rejuvenate their chances for Cameroon next year.
- Sierra Leone full 23-man squad will train for the first time in Nigeria today.
- The Leone Stars’ going into Friday’s tie in search to reach their third Afcon finals. They last featured at the 1996 edition in South Africa.
Fifteen of the sixteen foreign-based named will be available for the quick-double on 13 and 17 as Keister urged his players to put faith in their abilities.
Keister will bank on the likes of MLS veteran Kei Kamara, who scored Leone Stars winner against Liberia in Freetown during the World Cup elimination last September.
Randers striker Alhaji Kamara is in good form with his Danish Superligaen side same could be said of China-based striker Mohamed Buya Turay who has accounted for six goals four assists in all competition with Hebei China Fortune.
LA Galaxy striker Augustine William is another secret weapon in Keister’s side. A proving goal scorer with 13 goals for LA Galaxy II this season. His 13 goals and two assists helped him finished second in the race for the USL Championship’s Golden Boot.
Williams’ impressive form this campaign has led to USL key observers named him to the 2020 USL Championship All-League First Team.
Nigeria, on the other hand, in dire need of a win to strengthen their Cameroon 2022 ambitions.
Their last international game in Benin City was a friendly against Botswana which ended in a goalless draw. Without any exaggeration, the Eagles have only won one of their four matches in the multi-purpose stadium named after two-time Governor of the old Bendel State (now Edo State), the late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia.
With the likes of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Genk and Jupiler top-scorer Paul Onuachu who replace Moses Simon, Everton attacker midfielder Alex Iwobi, German coach Gernot Rohr has a lot of firepowers.
Nigeria’s last eight goals have been scored by six different players. Victor Osimhen is the highest goal scorer in Group L with three goals. Everton’s Alex Iwobi, Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze and Bordeaux’s Samuel Kalu have a goal each to their names.
“As a group, we have to be positive in our approach in both games. It’s not the easiest of games taking on one of the best nations in our continent,” Keister to FSL UK a day before departed Freetown.
The Manchester-born, former Sierra Leone International further urged his players to have the right mentality.
“Going into the game against Nigeria, we have to be clever in our method, and we have to be honest about it. We have been working on our strategies, but we must have the right mentality.”
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by FSL News | 10 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
Anderlecht attacker Mustapha Bundu, Finland-based experienced midfielder Mohamed Medo Kamara, Orebro SK left-back Kevin Wright, Queens Park Rangers right-back Osman Kakay have all arrived and trained at the Freetown stadium this morning ahead of travelling to Benin, Nigeria.
Long time absentee and former Milan midfielder Rodney Strasser, Randers striker Alhaji Kamara and LA Galaxy top scorer Augustine Williams all set for the quick double after the first assessment by head coach John Keister.
In all, seven foreign-based professionals have joined the local home-based players in Freetown ahead of the trip to Edo State in southern Nigeria for this Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The likes of MLS veteran Kei Kamara, FC Zurich defender Umaru Bangura, John Kamara, who plays for Keshla, Iceland-based right-winger Kwame Quee and Zire FC defender Alie Sesay are all expected in Nigeria on Wednesday.
Football Sierra Leone understands that Spain and RB Linense winger Alhassan Koroma will be in Freetown latest today.
Meanwhile, fans are optimistic with the energy in the team Sierra Leone can spring a surprise in Nigeria.
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -