Sierra Leone’s unbeaten record has now been thrashed at the FNB stadium after they succumbed to a 4-0 defeat on Saturday.

The former African Champions Bafana Bafana of South Africa have recorded their first triumph over the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in an international friendly at the FNB stadium on Saturday. 

The host’s first goal came through Themba Zwane, the midfielder, who received Zakhele Lepasa’s pass and gave South Africa the lead after he brilliantly turned inside the box to lose his marker before firing beyond Kamara into the net in the 31-minutes.

Sierra Leone struggled the entire first half as the host took full advantage to keep their lead.

After the restart, Bafana Bafana doubled their lead through a Mayambela tap-in into an empty net on debut after some brilliant work from Lepasa, who drew Kamara out of his goals before picking out his teammate.

Brilliant Themba Zwane scored a brace to give the host their third of the day in the 64-minute after another great inter-change football. 

In the 72-minute, the South Africans completed their onslaught on coach John Keister’s side when they extended their lead to four through Modiba’s goal. 

Sierra Leone has failed to win in their last three games. The Leone Stars’ previous outing in the Africa Cup of Nations matchday two qualifiers was a 2-2 draw with Guinea Bissau in June at the Stade Général Lansana Conté, Conakry.

The Leone Stars will now turn attention to Tuesday’s encounter with DRC Leopards at the Stade Père Jégo in Casablanca.

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Sierra Leone skipper Steven Caulker has admitted they want to maintain their unbeaten record over South Africa when the two nations lock horns on Saturday.

The former England International has been leading a new generation of Leone Stars players after the Nations Cup in Cameroon this year.

The former African Champions South Africa will engage Sierra Leone for the fifth time at the FNB stadium on Saturday.

The iconic 94, 736-seater FNB stadium in Nasrec, near Johannesburg’s Soweto, will host the fifth meeting between the two nations. Kickoff 1:00 pm Sierra Leone on Saturday, September 24.

Both nations are using the contest as preparation for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

When answering a question on Sierra Leone’s record over the host team, he assured that they want to maintain that record.

“We look to maintain that record – I wasn’t aware that we have such a record against South Africa. We must play well for our country and get a result. On a good day, we would like to get a result with a clean sheet.”

Head Coach John Keister, during his pre-match conference, has said that the tie will be a competitive contest as they’re looking to get to a winning habit.

“Saturday’s type is going to be competitive. We want to win football matches. These are the type of matches you want to come to and give a good account of yourself. We want to get into a good habit of winning. Winning is a habit.”

On the Issue of visa delay causing the late arrival of some of his players – Keister made it clear he would love to get his players early, but at the same time, he doesn’t want to make excuses.

“The unfortunate situation coming here is not ideal, but again I have a group of players with a good mentality.”

Bafana Bafana’s last outing was in June, where they bowed 2-1 to Morocco despite taking an eighth-minute lead through Lyle Foster inside Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat.

The Leone Stars’ last outing in the Africa Cup of Nations matchday two qualifiers was a 2-2 draw with Guinea Bissau in June at the Stade Général Lansana Conté, Conakry.

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Photo: Mohamed Kamara of Sierra Leone (L) vies for the ball against Katlego Mphela of South Africa during the African Cup of Nations 2012 qualifying football match between South Africa and Sierra Leone at Mbombela Stadium on October 8, 2011, in Nelspruit. 

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has admitted during his team’s press conference at Dobsonville Stadium that this weekend’s friendly against Sierra Leone is to restore confidence in his side.

South Africa, in four meetings, never defeated Sierra Leone as both sides have played to three draws and a win for Sierra Leone in June 2008.

Hugo Broos was speaking ahead of two International friendlies against Sierra Leone on Saturday and Botswana on Tuesday as Bafana Bafana’s first two matches since a 2-1 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying defeat away to Morocco in June.

Broos said the games against 113th-ranked Sierra Leone and 146th-ranked Botswana aimed at restoring Bafana’s confidence.

He wants to test his players ahead of playing Liberia twice in Afcon qualifiers next year in March.

“Sierra Leone plays similar to Liberia. We have those two very important games in March – playing Sierra Leone can be important preparation.

“The game against Botswana, like I said before, I wanted to have two friendly games in September, so I have that, and we have to try now to win those two games.”

They have struggled to get a positive result in recent matches, but Broos was clear that his team needs to battle a win when they host the west African nation, Sierra Leone, in a friendly at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

The two matches this month will be part of their 2023 African Cup of Nations preparation. 

Broos said he would ensure all the players in his 23-man squad play in the coming two friendlies.

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Debutants Bo Rangers are out of this year’s CAF Champions League after they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the Stade du 8-Mai-1945 in their second-leg preliminary in Algeria on Saturday.

Both teams played to a goalless draw in the first lg in Liberia’s SDK stadium a week ago in Monrovia.

The competition first-timers were hoping to stun their host, but the Algerian Champions were the better side on the day.

A brace from Karim Aribi in the 86th and 90th minutes completed the home side’s victory after Mouad Hadda had opened the scoring in the 34th-minute first half.

Bo Rangers were without defender Abu Bakarr Samura aka Lucio, due to injury. 

In the Second Round, CR Belouizdad will face the winner between Deportivo Mongomo Equatorial Guinean football club and Djoliba Athletic Club Malian football in October.

Deportivo Mongomo Equatorial Guinean won the first leg 2-0 a week ago. They will play the reverse fixture today in Mali.

Clubs that received bye to Second Preliminary Round

Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Raja Club Athletic (Morocco), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), and Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco).

Horoya AC (Guinea) are through to the next round following the withdrawal of Gambia’s Hawks FC.

Full Time in Algeria at the Stade di 8-Mai-1945 stadium – @Crbelouizdadoff have progressed to the @CAFCLCC second round preliminary after a 3-0 aggregate scoreline over Sierra Leone Champions @bo_rangers. #SaloneTwitter #SierraLeone #FSLNews #AfrcanTwitter #AfricanFootball pic.twitter.com/Z58KHRfUgf

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) September 17, 2022

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Debutants Bo Rangers will be hoping to build from their first-leg draw and stun their host at the Stade du 8-Mai-1945 in Algeria in their CAF Champions League second-leg preliminary on Saturday.

A win for Sierra Leone champions will see them progress to the next stage of this year’s CAF Champions League.

Bo Rangers will be without defender Abu Bakarr Samura aka Lucio, due to injury. Head coach Alhaji Foray will welcome Abu Bakarr Bangura, fondly called ‘Nasri’, back into the squad, having missed two training sessions due to illness. 

Coach Alhaji Foray insists he is not feeling any extra pressure ahead of their decider taking on the Algerian Champions CR Belouizbad at the Setif stadium.

When asked whether he is feeling the heat ahead of Saturday’s clash, he said, “Not at all. The lads are here to get the business done. I’m looking forward to being involved and showing what we are capable of, as our expectations are high. The lads are mentally and physically prepared,” he affirms.

Both teams will meet for the second time following their goalless draw in the first leg. Asked whether the Rangers are the favourite to win, Foray added: “No. That would be disrespectful to the host, but I am optimistic that we will prevail. 

On Abu Bakarr Samura’s absence 

“Samura is a vital player, no coach will be happy to miss any of his key players, but it is what it is. I have 24 players at my disposal. So, those who are mentally and physically ready will play. 

He, however, called on Sierra Leoneans to rally behind the team.

The aggregate winner of CR Belouizdad and Rangers over two legs will face the winner between Deportivo Mongomo Equatorial Guinean football club and Djoliba Athletic Club Malian football in the second round in October.

Meanwhile, the Algerian side has won three of their last four matches this season, including the draw against their CAF Champions League draw with Bo Rangers last Saturday. 

By Martin Wusha in Algeria – Connect with us @football_sierra – on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and National News.