by FSL News | 12 Jun, 2017 | Players Abroad News
US-based New England Revolution striker Kei Kamara has hailed the country’s supporters as the ‘twelfth man’ after another extremely strong turn-out against the Harambee Stars of Kenya on Saturday.
Sierra Leone beat Kenya in their Group F first qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Goals from NK Olimpija attacking midfielder Julius Wobay and FC Zurich defender Umaru Bangura (penalty) helped Sierra Leone to ensure a 2-1 victory over the Harambee Stars of Kenya.
Kei, who was one of Leone Stars outstanding performers, was full of praises for the fans and his national teammates.
“It was a great win for the nation and a good way to start the group stage. I’m very happy to see a huge number of fans that turned out to show us love and I’m happy they went home happy.” Kamara said.
“It has been a while every Sierra Leonean soccer loving fans looking forward to us and I’m proud every one of my teammates showed up, He told footballsierraleone.net.
“The stadium was really jam-packed and you can sense the fans “The Twelfth player” has been starving for football games for a while now and I hope this brings life to the football in the country.”
Meanwhile, the Black Stars of Ghana on Sunday displayed once again why they are one of the powerhouses in African football as they thrashed Ethiopia 5-0 to go top of the Group F in their first qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The next Afcon 2019 qualifying decisive matches in the group will see Ghana taking on Kenya. The tie is expected to be played at the Nyayo National Stadium, while Sierra Leone will be away to Ethiopia in March 2018.
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by FSL News | 3 Jun, 2017 | Players Abroad News
10-year-old football starlet, Sanusie Jabbie with roots from Sierra Leone has for the second time in a row been voted as player of the year, parent’s player of the year and player’s player of the year at his Under-10 Cheshunt Football Club in England.
A surprised Sanusie who was not expecting to win the awards for the second time in a row received the awards Saturday, June 2 at the club’s annual presentation day ceremony held at the club’s training grounds in Cheshunt.
Sanusie Jabbie displaying his silverware’s in his Cheshunt tracks
Winners of each award are determined through a process of secret voting among parents, players and the managers.
Speaking after the awards, an excited Sanusie said: “because the awards were quite competitive among the lads, I was not expecting to win anything.”
According to his dad, winning the awards for the second time in a row has inspired Sanusie to continue to work hard; stay focused and maintained his confidence in leading his team to the next level.
For the first time since he was born in Holland some ten years ago, the wonder-kid visited Freetown, Sierra Leone this year in April where he played with boys of his age group on the beach. “He even gave out his football boots and jerseys to two boys,” his dad, Muctarr Alpha disclosed.
Sanusie who captain’s his team wears the number 6 jersey and plays in the defence and central midfield admires Virgil Van Dija of Southampton. His biggest dream is to play professional football for Liverpool FC.
Aside from football, his best subjects in school are mathematics and science. He also plays for his school’s side and he is part of the athletics team.
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Sanusie, as Captain with his Cheshunt FC U-10 team
by FSL News | 3 Jun, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone international midfielder, Rodney Strasser has confirmed his return to parent club, Seria A side Genoa after a successful eight months loan spell at Gil Vincente.
The former AC Milan midfielder was sent on loan Aug 31, 2016, to the Portuguese second tier outfit. Strasser played 13 games for Vincente in the Portuguese second league.
“I’m looking forward to pre-season with Genoa and we will what happen next,” he said.
“I also want to thank, everyone at Gil Vincente I had a great time during my time at the club.
“It was another important transition of my career, fans was great and I’m happy to learn another language during my eight months in Barcelos Portugal,” Strasser told footballsierraleone.net
The 27-year-old, who on 27 July 2013 joined Genoa on a permanent deal for €3.5 million from AC Milan, will have to impress Genoa Croatian Coach Ivan Juric if he is to play Seria A next season.
He will not be part of the Sierra Leone team to face Kenya on June 10 in the opening 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Freetown.
His last international outing with Leone Stars was in May 2014 against Swaziland in Freetown during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, where he dislocated his shoulder.
By Prince Scott – Follow the Writer @Princesct1 @football_sierra
by FSL News | 2 Jun, 2017 | Players Abroad News, Sport News
FC Sheriff Tiraspol title celebrations
- Khalifa Jabbie hailed a “great season” with FC Sheriff Tiraspol after helping the club sealed a Moldovan top-flight title, the Moldovan Cup after a 5-0 win over Zaria Bălți and the Super Cup.
He featured 21 times for the Tiraspol side this season in all competition amassed 1363 minutes helping the club to qualify for the second qualifying round of the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League.
Jabbie, who has played a key role in Sherriff reclaiming the title said: “I’m happy because it was a great season.”
“The whole team and everyone at the club worked very hard, the organisation of the club is our strength,” Jabbie told footballsierraleone.net.
Jabbie, 24, who joined the Tiraspol-based club in June 2015, has now won two Moldovan titles, two Moldovan Cup and a Super Cup.
Asked whether he is now looking forward to the next UEFA Champions League, he said, “Obviously is every player’s dream. A top competition very difficult we have to be at our best to do well no matter who you played against.”
“This year we going to try and go as far as possible in the Champions League,” he added.
Jabbie, who is among the 19 foreign-based selected by coach John Keister as the Leone Stars technician bid to start his first spell with a win at home in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations opening qualifier, is expected to join the national team this weekend.
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by FSL News | 30 May, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Miami FC skipper, midfielder Michael Lahoud, is excited about being involved again with the Sierra Leone national team.
Lahoud, 30, has not been part of the Sierra Leone squad for almost two years but after head coach John Keister recalled him as one of the 19-foreign based players for Kenya tie in Freetown, the former Philadelphia Union player took to twitter to express his delight, stating that he is honoured to play for his country.
Check out Michael Lahoud’s tweet here:
Lahoud made his Leone Stars debut in a 3-2 victory over Equatorial Guinea during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match.
He was a pivotal player under former coach Johnny Mckinstry playing in over four qualifying matches and was part of a 1-0 victory over Swaziland in Freetown.
Lahoud’s last contribution under Mckinstry was during 2015 AFCON qualifiers before the Northern Irish man was sacked in September 2014.
Lahoud’s outfit Miami currently in first place in the NASL standings, sporting a three-point lead and a league-best 14 goals scored and +7 goal differential.
(Photo Credit Darren Mckinstry) @football_sierra
by FSL News | 29 May, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone and Partick Thistle Right-back, Mustapha Dumbuya is “immensely disappointed” when confirming he will not be part of the Sierra Leone side that will play against the Harambee Stars of Kenya June 10 in Freetown.
Dumbuya was one of the 19 foreign-based selected by coach John Keister as the Leone Stars technician bid to start his first spell with a win at home in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations opening qualifier.
Although Dumbuya, 29, did not want to explain his personal situation, however, he has confirmed that he will not be available citing personal problems.
“I didn’t just want to cancel the game out, yes I have personal problems at the moment and I’m immensely disappointed,” he said.
“It was important for me to try and make this game, but as I said problem arise that I have no control over and it’s sad I won’t be able to help the boys.
“But, I wish the team luck and hopefully I’ll be available for the next game, a disappointing Dumbuya confirmed to footballsierraleone.net
“It was important for me to make sure I really couldn’t make it first before anything was said.” He explained.
The former Portsmouth defender won his first cap on 14 October against Tunisia in a goalless draw of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in 2012.
Dumbuya this season made eight appearances for Scottish top flight side The Jags since rupturing his Achilles tendon last summer.
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -