by FSL News | 15 May, 2019 | African News
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been recalled to the Nigeria squad ahead of the 24 teams 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt next month.
Obi, 32, confirmed his availability a few days ago. He has not played for the Super Eagles since he captained them in the World Cup in Russia.
Mikel’s last match was against Argentina at the 2018 World Cup.
He was included in coach Gernot Rohr 25-man provisional squad after a ‘productive’ meeting.
Another notable inclusion is Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who is still in search for his first international goal since scoring against Argentina in November 2017.
Nigeria three-time champions will take on Guinea, Madagascar and Burundi in Group B at the Nations Cup.
The Super Eagles will open their Afcon campaign against Burundi on 22 June at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria.
Nigeria’s 25-man provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Ekong (Udinese, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Middlesbrough, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi, Belgium); Moses Simon (Levante, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China); Alexander Iwobi (Arsenal, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain)
Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Ikouwem Utin (Enyimba); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal, Portugal); Junior Ajayi (Al Ahly, Egypt); Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba FC)
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer Prince Scott @PrinceArmaniSc2.
by FSL News | 12 May, 2019 | African News
Egyptian Mohamed Salah led the race going into the final day, but he could not add to his 22 goals.
Senegal’s Mane struck twice in the second-placed Reds’ 2-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers to tie with his Liverpool team-mate.
Gabon’s Aubameyang also netted twice, in a 3-1 win at Burnley, and he was the man who threatened to take the award on his own as he missed a late chance to claim a hat-trick.
Mane and Aubameyang have won the award for the first time, while Salah has claimed the Golden Boot in back-to-back seasons, after scoring 32 times in 2017/18.
It is the first time three players have shared the award since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Michael Owen and Dwight Yorke in 1998/99.
by FSL News | 12 May, 2019 | African News
Algerian international Riyad Karim Mahrez scored the third goal for Manchester City as they retained their Premier League title at the Amex stadium.
Man City beat Brighton 4-1 on Sunday ending their season on 98 points in an entertaining contest as Liverpool settled for the second spot.
Pep Guardiola’s side started looking for only a victory to be the first team to retain the crown since Manchester United 10 years ago.
The early scare was when Glenn Murray scored the host opener with a glancing header from a corner after 27 minutes, but with an immediate response from Sergio Aguero a minute later, City took over the game.
Guardiola’s men were ruthless with three more goals from Laporte, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan’s spectacular 72nd-minute free-kick sparked wild celebrations.
Manchester City may not have repeated the 100 points that won the title last season but this was arguably an even sweeter success given the season-long battle with Liverpool.
He joined City in July 2018, on a five-year contract with a record £60m making Mahrez the most expensive African footballer.
He was a pivotal figure in the Leicester City side under Ranieri that won the Premier League title.
He registered seven goals four assists in 27 games this campaign in the Premier League.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 12 May, 2019 | African News
Dutch Cameroon coach Clarence Seedorf on Friday has named his 34-man provisional squad ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The Indomitable Lions are in Group F alongside Ghana, Benin and Guinea-Bissau looking to progress and win their sixth continental crown.
The Confederation of African Football announced Egypt as host early January after Cameroon were stripped of hosting rights due to delays over their preparations for the tournament.
The six venues were named in February across five cities for the new 24 teams tournament to be played between 21 June – 19 July.
The full list of stadiums is Cairo International Stadium, Air Force Stadium, Port Said Stadium, Ismailia Stadium, Suez Sports Stadium and, the Alexandra Stadium.
Cameroon provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Fabrice Ondoua, Idriss Carlos Kameni, Omossola Mejo Simon.
Defenders: Fai Collins, Onguene Jerome, Ngadeu Ngadjui, Yaya Banana, Armel Kana Biyik, Gaetan Bong, Oyongo Bitolo, Dawa Tchakonte, Fuchs Jeando
Midfielders: Zambo Anguissa, Kunde Malong, Georges Mandjeck, Arnaud Djoum, Wilfrid Kaptoum, Petrus Boumal, Akono Pierre Ramses.
Forwards: Paul Georges Ntep, Fabrice Olinga, Stephane Bahoken, Jacques Zoua, Clinton Njie, Bassogo Christian, Eric Maxime Choupo Moting, Vincent Aboubakar, Joel Tagueu, Salli Edgar, Jean Pierre Nsame, Olivier Boumal, Moumi Ngamaleu, Karl Toko Ekambi.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer Prince Scott @PrinceArmaniSc2.
by FSL News | 9 May, 2019 | African News
In-form Liverpool’s African duo, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, are named in the Premier League nominees for the Player of the Season award.
Both have been part of Liverpool’s revamp league campaign scoring 22 and 20 goals respectively this season with a game to go.
Salah was the golden boot winner last season and currently the league’s tops the scorer.
Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk has been a pivotal figure in Liverpool’s defence. He was named the won the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year awards for 2018-19.
The Liverpool trio making the shortlist alongside Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and Chelsea’s key man Eden Hazard of Chelsea.
In addition, the Africans will be hoping to win this year’s Champions League final with Liverpool when they face Tottenham at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on June 1.
The Egypt international will be hoping to become the first player to retain the award in over a decade.
Mane was named Premier League player for April following his three goals in March helping Liverpool continue their title chase.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 5 May, 2019 | African News
Following goalless draws from both sides in the second leg of their semi-finals on Saturday, Holders Esperance will face Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in this year’s African Champions League final.
Esperance coming into the second leg contest with a goal lead to the Democratic Republic of Congo where TP Mazembe failed to overturn the deficit.
Wydad went through against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns courtesy of a 2-1 win in Morocco last weekend.
It will be the second Champions League final between Esperance and Wydad with the Tunisians winning 1-0 on aggregate in 2011.
The final will take place on 24/25 May and 31 May/1 June with 2017 champions Wydad hosting the first leg.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer Prince Scott @PrinceArmaniSc2.
Sierra Leone | Highlights -