Tributes were paid on Saturday to former Sierra Leone National Team Manager, Administrator, and football enthusiast, Eric Lansana, who died after a gruesome road accident.

Sierra Leone lost a great sportsman, an enthusiastic individual and a citizen. He gave his country his all.

Reigning Sierra Leone champions Bo Rangers chairman Babadi Kamara was the first to break the news to some members of the football family just before midday on Saturday. “Sad to inform you all that we have lost Eric Lansana (TD-Bo Rangers) through a road accident.”

• Bo Rangers Football Club

Eric was a committed and passionate contributor to football in Sierra Leone. One of the few Sierra Leoneans to sacrifice opportunities in Europe to give back to his Nation (Sierra Leone). His love and unique sense of accommodating friends around the game will be recognized. We have lost an influential character within the football family.

• The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA)

Before his demise, Eric served as the Technical Director of Bo Rangers Football Club. He will be remembered for his Ineradicable contribution to the growth of Sierra Leone football. 

• Ministry of Sports / The National Sports Authority – (MOS & NSA)

Former Sierra Leone, National Senior Male team, Leone Stars, will be missed and always remembered for his calm, calculated disposition among football administrators, players and fans.

His contribution to football development across the country at all levels was remarkable.

• Eastern Region Football Assocaiution (ERFA)

As humble as he is, Eric Lansana has always been around Bo Rangers in ensuring that they achieve whatever assignment they had in their hands. His love for sports, especially football, was unimaginable.

• Former TM Leone Stars and Brookfields United Chairman Christian Duada

While we love the late Eric Lansana dearly, whoever God takes away or gives away belongs to him. Everything has a final term in this world, so I urge family, football lovers and friends to be patient and strong.

• Football Administrator and Chairman Mighty Blackpool Rodney Michael 

Eric was a genuine football person, not one for fame or glory, but his satisfaction was helping talented players develop and seeing good quality football played. A humble, respectful, genuine and peaceful man. 

ERIC was a friend to all in football – and we at Blackpool will forever remember his role and contribution to our club over the years. 

Football has lost a super guy. May His Soul Rest in perfect peace.

Connect with us on Twitter @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net

Zambia will face either Egypt or Eswatini in the next stage of the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after defeating Sierra Leone 1-0 at the Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.

Substitute Andrew Phiri scored the only goal in the 65th minute to give his side a 2-1 aggregate win.

Both sides played to a 1-1 draw in Liberia last weekend. The Zambians are chasing their third straight U23 AFCON qualification after making group-stage exits from the 2015 and 2019 tournaments.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Egypt host Eswatini at the Alexandria Stadium on Sunday, 30 October, in the second leg.

Both sides played to a barren draw away to Eswatini in the first leg as Brazilian coach Rogerio Micale kicked off his tenure with the young Pharaohs.

Egypt hosted and won the previous Nations Cup edition in 2019.

The U23 AFCON tournament will serve as a ticket for the U23 Paris 2024 Olympics.

FT Zambia 1-0 Sierra Leone (Agg 2-1)

Zambia defeated Sierra Leone 1-0 in Lusaka at the Heroes stadium to reach the next stage of the TotalEnergies U23 AFCON through Andrew Phiri's 65th-min goal on Saturday. @FAZFootball Photos #SierraLeone #SaloneTwitter #FSLNews pic.twitter.com/ZjYVZimujf

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) October 29, 2022

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• Return Leg – Zambia Vs Sierra Leone – Heroes Stadium Saturday, 29 October 

Sierra Leone’s U23 coach Amdiu Karim was speaking ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations decider against Zambia as he set sight to progress into the next stage of the competition. 

The coach confirmed two players have fallen ill, but the rest of the team is in high spirits to face their counterparts later this afternoon at the Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia. 

A week ago, Zambia grabbed a last-gasp equaliser away against Sierra Leone in their 2022 U23 AFCON second-round first-leg qualifier at SKD Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia. 

“The team remain highly focused and determined. In the first game, our performance was brave, but we later made a mistake. We have worked on a few strategies. Hopefully, we can get the result that will allow us to progress,” coach Karim told footballsierraleone.net.

“We know what we need to do in Zambia. The technical team and players remain positive. We could have won in the first leg, but we made a mistake almost at the end of the game.”

He admitted Hapoel Rishon leZion winger Emmanuel Samadia is a big miss. Nonetheless, they are going into the match with a positive attitude.

It is worth mentioning that the Zambians will be playing in front of their home crowd at Heroes Stadium as both sides hunt to reach the next stage of the African Cup of Nations U23 qualifiers.

The home side is searching for an unprecedented third straight U23 AFCON qualification after making group-stage exits from the 2015 and 2019 tournaments.

The aggregate winner over two legs will face either Egypt or Eswatini in the final qualifying round.

Egypt host Eswatini at the Alexandria Stadium on Sunday, 30 October, in the second leg.

Both sides played to a barren draw away to Eswatini in the first leg as Brazilian coach Rogerio Micale kicked off his tenure with the young Pharaohs.

The U23 AFCON tournament will serve as a ticket for the U23 Paris 2024 Olympics.

Sierra Leone coach Amidu Karim remains positive ahead of the U23 decider against young Chipolopolo’s at the Heroes Stadium on Saturday. @FAZFootball #SierraLeone #FSLNews #SaloneTwitter @football_sierra pic.twitter.com/ue68qhOX7L

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) October 28, 2022

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, Twitter @bittar32, and Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.

Sierra Leone U23 head coach Amidu Karim says he is confident of a positive result in the decider between Sierra Leone and Young Chipolopolo of Zambia at the Heroes Stadium next weekend.

Zambia’s last-gasp equaliser secured a vital 1-1 draw with the Sierra Leone U23 side in the first leg of the Africa U-23 Cup of Nation qualifier at the SDK Stadium in Liberia on Saturday.

Alie Conteh put the home side in front in the 59th minute from the penalty spot, but the visitors rallied to grab their equaliser through Joshua Mutale’s spot kick in the 91st minute.

“The boys performed well in Liberia despite the draw. I’m optimistic that we will win and qualify in Zambia,” Coach Karim told FSL News.

“I am pleased with the overall performance of the team and the foreign-based players – they played well, but Emmanuel Samadia remains a doubt for the return match as the rest will be part of the squad.”

Next Saturday, the Zambians will be playing in front of their home crowd at Heroes Stadium on 29 October as both sides bid to reach the next stage of the African Cup of Nations U23 qualifiers.

The home side is searching for an unprecedented third straight U23 AFCON qualification after making group-stage exits from the 2015 and 2019 tournaments.

Over two legs, the aggregate winner will face either Egypt or Eswatini in the final qualifying round. The U23 AFCON tournament will serve as a ticket for the U23 Paris 2024 Olympics.

Return Leg – Zambia Vs Sierra Leone

Heroes Stadium Saturday, 29 October 

After a 1-1 first-leg U23 meeting, the young Leone Stars of Sierra Leone will go toe to toe in the decider with young Chipolopolo of Zambia on Saturday 29th October at the Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. @FAZFootball @CAF_Media @zambianfootball #SaloneTwitter #Africanfootball pic.twitter.com/XuEL3AIcsv

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) October 23, 2022

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, Twitter @bittar32, and Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.

Hapoel Rishon leZion winger Emmanuel Samadia, Mbabane Swallows’ midfielder Mohamed Kabia, Troyes U19 striker Moses Turay and Italy-based right-back Demba Kamara are expected to join the Sierra Leone U23 squad ahead of the first leg qualifier against Zambia this weekend.

John Thomas “Jay Tee” Kamara, who joined Columbus Crew MLS NEXT Pro side in February after one year with Louisville City FC of the USL Championship, is expected to be in Liberia on Wednesday.

Samadia is no stranger to the national setup. The winger was recently part of the AFCON qualifying squad against Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.

Kamara, who made his Sierra Leone debut during the Mediterranean training camp in Turkey in March in a 1-0 win over Liberia, was part of the U20 Wafu Zone A side in Mauritania in August.

Troyes striker Moses Turay made his Sierra Leone debut in the 3-0 defeat to DRC Leopards in September’s International friendly in Morocco. 

Sierra Leone will kick start their Total Energies U23 AFCON 2023 qualifier against Zambia Saturday, 22 October, at the SKD stadium in Liberia before the reverse fixture on 29th in Lusaka.

The five foreign-based are expected in Liberia latest Wednesday ahead of the first leg cracker against young Chipolopolo.

In 2015, Sierra Leone eliminated Cameroon from the 2016 Olympic Games football qualifiers. Ex-skipper Sorie Barrie scored in the 93rd minute to draw parity after Joseph Minala had put Cameroon ahead. It was a goalless first leg in Cameroon.

Over two legs, the aggregate winner will face either Egypt or Eswatini in the final qualifying round.

The U23 AFCON tournament will serve as a ticket for the U23 Paris 2024 Olympics.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, Twitter @bittar32, and Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.