by FSL News | 23 Nov, 2019 | African News
The young Pharaohs of Egypt’s U-23 national football squad have been crowned champions of Africa, following a 2-1 victory over Cote D’Ivoire at the African Cup of Nations final at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday.
As a result, they achieve their first title of the tournament third edition of that also served as African Qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Egypt dominated the match, with the first goal being scored by Karim El-Eraky in the 37th minute.
The Pharaoh’s opener was cancelled after Elephants’ Aboubacar Junior Doumbia scored in the 89th minute.
Skipper Ramadan Sobhy won the match for Egypt in the 116th minute.
The Olympic Pharaohs sailed to the title in style, having won their fifth game in as many matches.
Total Man of the Match: Ramadan Sobhy (Egypt)
Best Goalkeeper of the tournament: Mohamed Sobhy (Egypt)
Top Scorer: Mostafa Mohamed (Egypt)
Best Player of the tournament: Ramadan Sobhy (Egypt)
Fair Play Award: Egypt
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by FSL News | 23 Nov, 2019 | African News
South Africa snatched the last African place for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games with a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Ghana in Cairo Friday after a breathtaking third-place play-off.
The South Africans will join Egypt and the Ivory Coast as the three African representatives among 16 nations in Japan next July and August.
Ghana twice came from behind in regular time, with the second equaliser scored on 85 minutes by Samuel Obeng, forcing the match to a shootout.
Both sides converted four of the five mandatory kicks before Lyle Foster gave South Africa a 6-5 lead, Emmanuel Cudjoe had his penalty saved by Mondli Mpoto.
South African players and coaches hugged each other at the Cairo International Stadium while many Ghanaians slumped to the ground and wept.
Ghana also lost on penalties against the Ivory Coast in the semi-finals of the eight-nation qualifying tournament, foiling them in the first of two chances they had to reach Tokyo.
South Africa led when Habib Mohammed conceded a 15th-minute own-goal and Ghana levelled five minutes into the second half through an unstoppable Evans Mensah shot.
Kamohelo Mahlatsi put South Africa ahead a second time after 62 minutes with a close-range shot, but a dazzling Mensah dribble and a fumble by Mpoto allowed Obeng to equalise.
With extra time not part of the play-off regulations, the shootout drama began and Ghana looked the likelier winners until their fourth kick, from Fobi Kingsley, was saved.
Africa has claimed five Olympics football medals with Nigeria winning gold, silver and bronze, Cameroon gold and Ghana bronze.
Qualifiers are restricted to under-23 footballers, but the 16 finalists can include three over-age players, opening the possibility of Egypt choosing Mohamed Salah.
Unlike Europe, where Olympics football attracts little attention, some African eliminators draw 60,000-plus crowds.
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by FSL News | 22 Nov, 2019 | African News
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has said that the dates for Africa Cup of Nations slated for Cameroon 2021 are yet to be decided.
The announcement raises the possibility of the tournament returning to its previous schedule of January/February.
Egypt 2019 was the first Nations Cup to be held in June/July.
CAF say the Cameroon move is due to weather conditions in the country but a move would also avoid a clash with the newly relaunched Club World Cup.
Cameroon are also the hosts, in 2020, of the African Nations Championship, for locally-based players, and that will take place in April.
But an April Nations Cup would clash with the end of the European club season, so is unlikely be an option.
CAF says it will decide on the dates “jointly” with the host country.
The news was one of several decisions made at CAF’s Executive Committee meeting in Cairo on Thursday.
The governing body confirmed its decision to cancel its long-term media rights contract with French company Lagardere, which CAF says is legally required.
Lagardere has previously said it would challenge the decision or demand “a significant amount of cash”.
CAF also called for bids to host the 2019 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, which is still without a host after Congo Brazzaville pulled out.
And they announced the return of an award for players based on the continent.
There hasn’t been one since 2017, but the Executive Committee announced a new trophy for the best player featuring in the continent’s inter-club competitions – the African Champions League and Confederation Cup.
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by FSL News | 17 Nov, 2019 | African News
Davies suspended, Buya Turay & Keeper Zombo Morris reportedly out injured!
Swedish Allsvenskan golden boot winner striker Mohamed Buya Turay will not be available against Benin, following reports of a toe injury.
Sierra Leone in Cotonou searching for a strong away win to revamp all hope of reaching 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin on Sunday without striker Mohamed Buya Turay.
Turay, 24, who recently won the Swedish league with Djurgarden will miss the group L encounter due to a toe injury, Football Sierra Leone understands.
He made his fourth appearance for Sierra Leone and only played the last 34 minutes during the Leone Stars’ home 1-1 draw with Lesotho four days ago after arriving in Freetown from Sweden the night before the match.
Turay is the Swedish Allsvenskan top flight’s highest goal scorer with 15 goals.
Keeper Solomon Zombo Morris travelled, but latest reports from the Leone Stars camp in Cotonou have confirmed the shot-stopper in suffering from a knee injury.
Another notable absentee is SKN Polten midfielder George Davies, who was sent off against Lesotho on Wednesday.
The two nations are going into the contest hoping for a win in a bid to strengthen their grip after two matches from the group. However, Michel Dussuyer’s side will look to make use of the home advantage to revamp their quest to reach Cameroon 2021.
It’s worth mentioning that Benin Squirrels won the last two meetings against Sierra Leone during the 2008 Afcon qualifiers registered four goals over two legs.
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by FSL News | 13 Nov, 2019 | African News
A last-gasp Lesotho equaliser in an empty Siaka Steven Stadium on Wednesday denied Sierra Leone opening victory at home.
Both nations face each other for the first time in continental football history in a closed-doors contest.
Icelandic-based midfielder Kwame Quee break the deadlock for Sierra Leone in the 70th minute after a poor defending by Likuena.
Sierra Leone failed to hold on to their slender lead and paid for it late on when Jane Thabantso, who was subbed on for Fothoane salvaged a 1-1 draw for Lesotho.
Before Lesotho’s equaliser, skipper Marepe Basia was dismissed in the 83rd minutes for a second yellow card and Sierra Leone’s George Kweku Davies received a straight red for retaliation.
Elsewhere, The Super Eagles of Nigeria got off to a winning start following a 2-1 over Benin at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Wednesday evening.
As a result, the Super Eagles top of Group L after one round of fixtures, with Sierra Leone and Lesotho having played out a 1-1 draw in Freetown at the same time.
Benin silenced the home crowd from a Stephane Sessegnon goal. However, the home team improved Lille’s Victor Osimhen level the scoreline before Samuel Kalu confirmed victory in the 63rd minute following a superb solo effort as Nigeria now turn their attention to Lesotho, who they will face in Maseru on Sunday.
Matchday two continues on Sunday Sierra Leone away to Benin while group leaders Nigeria takes on Lesotho at the Sesotho Stadium this coming weekend.
Wednesday’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations results:
Namibia 2-1 Chad (Group A)
Malawi 1-0 South Sudan (Group B)
Burkina Faso 0-0 Uganda (Group B)
Sudan 4-0 Sao Tome and Principe (Group C)
Angola 1-3 The Gambia (Group D)
CAR 2-0 Burundi (Group E)
Cameroon 0-0 Cape Verde (Group F)
Guinea Bissau 3-0 Eswatini (Group I)
Senegal 2-0 Congo (Group I)
Nigeria 2-1 Benin (Group L)
Sierra Leone 1-1 Lesotho (Group L)
African Cup of Nations 2021 Qualifiers Group L Standings
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by FSL News | 12 Nov, 2019 | African News
Almost 18 hours to Sierra Leone opening African Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho, striker Kei Kamara has been replaced in coach Sellas Tetteh’s 23-man squad.
This came in following rumours that the Colorado Rapids striker who was very influential in the National Team’s last international with Liberia had pulled out of the squad.
It’s not the first time he has been on the spotlight for the wrong reasons ahead of International Matches. Kamara was suspended before the Liberia World Cup preliminary qualifiers before his suspension was rescinded.
The Sierra Leone Football Association said in a statement, “Kei Ansu Kamara has been officially replaced with Sallieu Tarawallie of FC Kallon in the 23-man Leone Stars squad ahead of the Lesotho encounter tomorrow. Details on his omission to follow later.”
Sierra Leone will open their Cameroon 2021 campaign at home before travelling to face the Benin Squirrels four days later.
Kamara posted on his official Facebook page earlier today. “I promise I love you, but right now I will be watching from outside. Good luck, brothers.”
In another development, East End Lions defender, Yeami Dunia has been brought into the squad in place of Phoenix Rising right-back, Mustapha Dumbuya who will miss the tie due to flight schedule.
Meanwhile, Lesotho coach Thabo Senong has said they are fully focused to face Sierra Leone.
“We treat every match equally; we respect every opponent and prepare very well. Our objective is to improve in all the phases of the game. The results will take care of itself,” Senong told the LeFA website.
He continued: “We respect Sierra Leone. They have players playing in Europe in their team and will be playing at home, which will be an advantage to them. They will be very tough.”
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