Debut for LA Galaxy striker Augustine Williams & Saidu Mansaray

Debut for LA Galaxy striker Augustine Williams & Saidu Mansaray

by | 14 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Sierra Leone first team news for their Cup of Nations decider at the Général Lansana Conté de Nongo on Monday, 14 June, in Guinea. Kick-off 16:00 GMT 

Leone Stars coach John Keister has handed LA Galaxy striker Augustine Williams and home-based left wing-back Saidu Mansaray aka Malian, their debut in the decisive game against Benin.

Coach John Keister, who is still searching for his first win in the race to Cameroon 2022, is optimistic.

Heavy-weight Kei Kamara will play as part of the top four, at the same, looking to support the midfield. Anderlecht winger Mustapha Bundu, who socred against Nigeria, will start this after.

In midfield, with the absence of experienced midfielder Mohamed Medo Kamara, John Kamara, who played in the 4-4 draw in Nigeria named in the first team alongside Icelandic-based midfielder Kwame Quee.

Queens Park Rangers Osman Kakay started on the right while English-born duo Sullay Kaikai and Peterborough striker Idris Kanu named on the bench. Both could play some part if selected later on.

FSL African Football News – Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone coach Keister hopeful ahead of Benin decisive contest

Sierra Leone coach Keister hopeful ahead of Benin decisive contest

by | 14 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Leone Stars coach John Keister is optimistic that Sierra Leone will do well against Benin in their African Cup Of Nations decider this afternoon in Guinea.

Despite missing five of his first-team starters out due to injuries and COVID-19 infection, the coach remains positive with his side.

China-based striker Mohamed Buya Turay, Orebro left-back Kelvin Wright, Mohamed Medo Kamara and East End Lions duo Yeami Dunya Abdul Razak all unavailable.

“We are positive going to the qualifier despite missing out on key starting players, who featured in our last three games in the qualifiers against Nigeria [Home and Away] and Lesotho,” the coach told Fajah Barrie in Guinea.

“I have brought in two replacements in Musa ‘Tombo’ Noah Kamara and Saidu Mansaray, aka Malian, as cover for our predicament. The team is in high spirit and ready to do well. So we’re hoping to make history.”

Sierra Leone destiny in their hands going into their final Group L encounter against Michel Dussuyer’s Squirrels.

Monday’s crunchy decider will the fourth meeting between the two nations in fifteen years.

LA Galaxy striker Augustine Williams, Augustus Kargbo AC Reggiana attacker on loan from Crotone, Sullay Kaikai and Peterborough striker expected to make their Sierra Leone debut.

Sierra Leone or Benin will complete the 24 nations Afcon set for Cameroon 2022 after the final whistle in an empty Général Lansana Conté de Nongo on Monday, 14 June, in Guinea.

Connect with Us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.

Sierra Leone wrap up first training session in Guinea

Sierra Leone wrap up first training session in Guinea

by | 13 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Coach John Keister’s squad wrapped up its first training session ahead of Monday decider in an empty Général Lansana Conté de Nongo on Monday, 14 June, in Guinea.

Sierra Leone first training session was held at the Stade Du Septembre 28 in Conakry, Guinea, on Sunday.

Their final training session will be held at the Stade De General Lansana Conte Nongo between 5 to 6 PM on Sunday evening.

Monday’s crunchy decider will the fourth meeting between the two nations in fifteen years.

In the last three meetings – they have defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 in 2006 at home, 2-0 in 2007 in Freetown, and a 1-0 win in November 2019.

 
Group L – Following a last-gasp winner, Nigeria qualified and Lesotho out of the race.
Sierra Leone technical team and skipper Umaru Bangura, Kwame Quee

Sierra Leone technical team and skipper Umaru Bangura, Kwame Quee

Benin (7 points) and Sierra Leone (4) both in the race. They go to war on Monday in Guinea.

A draw sees Benin through, while Sierra Leone needs a win to qualify.

John Keister is satisfied with his team’s preparedness for this encounter. “We have had a week to prepare, brought around a group of youthful players. We are comfortable to go into the match tomorrow.”

FSL African Football News – Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.

Guinea to host Sierra Leone, Benin Cup of Nations decider 

Guinea to host Sierra Leone, Benin Cup of Nations decider 

by | 10 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

This month’s 2021 African Cup of Nations final qualification between Sierra Leone and Benin has been moved to Guinea.

The match is set to be played on Monday, June 14, at the Stade Général Lansana Conté de Nongo.

Initially, the tie was set to take place in Sierra Leone on March 30 but was postponed by the Confederation of African Football due to the Covid-19 controversy.

Benin accused their hosts of deception and foul play. However, after the CAF intervention, the June date was announced.

“The committee made this decision after reviewing official accounts of the incidents that stopped the match from taking place at the scheduled time,” CAF said in a statement.

The SLFA appeal against the CAF decision to rescheduled but failed in their protest. Benin, on the other hand, took their case to CAS again the decision was upheld. 

Last month, Caf ordered a full inspection of Sierra Leone main international venue, the Siaka Stevens Stadium, before deciding whether it is fit to host the rescheduled match against Benin. 

Report coming from the Sierra Leone Football Association has indicated that the match has been moved to neighbouring Guinea due to the poor state of the Freetown stadium. 

Coach Keister must now rally his troops to win regardless of the venue to reach the tournament for the first time in 25 years. Benin needed only a draw. Only one team will join the already 23 qualified nations to compete in next year’s finals in Cameroon.

Expected foreign-based players for Benin.

Defenders

(Osman Kakay QPR England), (Umaru Bangura Neuchâtel Xamax doubtful)

Midfielders

(Mohamed Medo Kamara unattached), (John Kamara Keshla FC), (Kwame Quee Víkingur Reykjavík) and (Alusine Koroma Real Balompédica Linense Spain)

Attackers

(Kei Kamara unattached), (Alhassan Koroma Real Balompédica Linense Spain), (Alhaji Kamara Randers FC, Danmark), (Augustus Kargbo A.C. Reggiana 1919 on loan from Crotone Italy), (Augustine Williams LA Galaxy MSL), (Mustapha Bundu Anderlecth Belgium) and (Sullay Kaikai unattached)

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

Thomas Daddy Brima elected new Sierra Leone FA President

Thomas Daddy Brima elected new Sierra Leone FA President

by | 6 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

The newly elected President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, Thomas Daddy Brima, must rally every meaningful Sierra Leonean to join hands with him and his team to change the present narratives of the country’s football.

Brima, who was elected on Saturday at the Wusum hotel in Makeni, will serve a four-year term. He is a renowned businessman and Chairman of Western Area-based second division club Lumley Striker and has been in football management for a little over a decade.

He won 31 votes to overcome his rival Saddick Deen-Nyarkoh, who achieved 26 ballots. He will replace the outgoing Fifa Council member Isha Johansen, who has been in power since elected unopposed in August 2013.

FIFA Observer Solomon Mudege, who was in attendance, commended delegates for their high level of civility, peace and transparency displayed throughout the process. He assured of FIFA’s continued support to help develop Sierra Leone’s football infrastructure.

“Healing all wounds and planning to develop the present poor state of the country’s football must be top of the agenda for the new SLFA executive,” Samuel Deen expressed deep concern.

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by | 4 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

The latest development on the Sierra Leone Football Association presidential race is that bookies favourite hot contender, Rodney Michael, will not be contesting Saturday’s elective congress at the Wusum hotel in Makeni.

Michael, who was successfully ‘cleared’ by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) to contest, has confirmed his withdrawal.

“With the elections only 48 hours after the decision of CÀS, I have found it extremely difficult to cope with the emotional, mental and physical stress to be able to campaign extensively and adequately for such an election,” Michael noted in his statement.

“It is, therefore, with deep regret that I inform you all of my decision to withdraw from the SLFA ELECTIONS 2021. I plead with you for forgiveness and understanding, and once more appeal for your support for this decision will always remain a difficult decision. I will forever be indebted to all of you and to Sierra Leone.”

He told this medium yesterday that he will be deciding in 24 hours after extensive consultation.

His final verdict is clear, as the race is now between Sadick Deen-Nyarkoh, Thomas Daddy Brima for Saturday’s SLFA elective congress in Makeni.