WAFU U20 2019: Sierra Leone win to keep qualification hopes alive

WAFU U20 2019: Sierra Leone win to keep qualification hopes alive

by | 27 Nov, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone

Suffian Kalokoh scored a hattrick as Sierra Leone beat 10-man Mauritania 3-1 at the 28 September Stadium to keep alive their hopes of reaching the West African Football Union (Wafu) Zone A Under-20 Championship semifinals.

Mauritania opens the scoring after 30min through Mbareck Oumar before their keeper was sent off after committing a foul on Suffian Kalokh who scored the equaliser in the 47th minute from the spot-kick.

The young prolific Bo Rangers striker completed his first international hattrick with a brace to sink Mauritania who lost their opening match 2-0 against host Guinea.

As a result, Sierra Leone’s Shooting Stars, who lost their opening match 4-1 against Senegal, must beat Guinea on Friday to be sure of reaching the competition semifinals.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone. 

Hat-trick hero Suffian Kalokoh was named Man of the Match

Hat-trick hero Suffian Kalokoh was named Man of the Match

 

 

 

Benin beat Sierra Leone, Nigeria ease past Lesotho

Benin beat Sierra Leone, Nigeria ease past Lesotho

by | 17 Nov, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against the Squirrels of Benin at the Stade de Gaulle in Porto Novo on Sunday in matchday two of their Group L 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Jodel Doussu scored the only goal in the 28th minute, two minutes before the half-hour mark, leaving their visitors third in the group as Benin take the second spot behind Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The game against Sierra Leone comes after a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in the qualifiers opener. 

Sierra Leone was without a few prominent names like Mohamed Buya Turay, George Davies and first choice keeper Solomon Zombo Morris.

Benin was the better side in the first half as they dominated from early on missing a couple of chances. However, there no more goals as they hold on to a deserved one-goal advantage until the final whistle. 

Elsewhere in the group, Nigeria’s Super Eagles maintain their strong start in the race to Cameron 2021 with a 4-2 away win in Lesotho at the Setsoto Stadium.

The host opened the scoring from a Nkoto Masoabi header to put Likuena ahead before Nigeria restore parity from an Iwobi strike. 

Three more goals from Chukwueze and a brace for Osimhen helped the Super Eagles to stay top of the group after two wins in two matches as they look to qualify for AFcon 2021.

AFCON 2021 Qualifiers Group L Matches and Results

 

 

 

 

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone. 

AFCON 2021: Sierra Leone must dodge defeat in Benin 

AFCON 2021: Sierra Leone must dodge defeat in Benin 

by | 15 Nov, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone

Following an unsatisfactory draw at home against Lesotho, Sierra Leone must dodge defeat against the Squirrels of Benin at the Stade Charles de Gaulle on Sunday.

Both nations will battle it for the third time in 11 years in a bid to strengthen their grip after two matches from the group. However, Michel Dussuyer’s side will be desperate for a victory to revamp their quest to reach Cameroon 2021.

It’s worth declaring that Sierra Leone has twice lost against Benin during the 2008 Afcon qualifiers conceding four goals over two legs.

After Benin, Nigeria up next for Sierra Leone meaning a downfall in Cotonou will signal a difficult start in the qualifiers for Leone Stars. It has been 23 years of Sierra Leone bumpy ride trying to reach the continental big stage since 1996.

Coach Sellas Tetteh must be pragmatic in his method against a very good Benin side ranked 35 places ahead of Sierra Leone. His side must be defensively compact, aggressive and show no fear if they are to address Dussuyer’s attacking threats.

Benin Republic’s Captain Stephane Sessegnon became the first player from the Beninouse to score against Nigeria at home since 1965.

Stéphane Sessègnon, Mickaël Poté and Huddersfield Town’s Steve Mounie, expected to make it fast and furious, judging by their recent resurgent in African football.

Sierra Leone’s experienced skipper Umaru Bangura, Hassan Milla Sesay, Alie Sesay and Osman Kakay, if selected as back four must be at their best.

Sierra Leone new strike force, the likes of Mohamed Buya Turay Swedish titleholder and golden boot winner with DjurgÃ¥rdens IF Fotboll and Mustapha Bundu, who has been instrumental with Danish side Aarhus Gymnastikforening, must relish the opportunity to shine inside Squirrel’s den expected to be a robust atmosphere.

 Having lost against the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Wednesday, Benin without any exaggeration going to make life awkward for their visitors in Matchday two of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

 Benin has a reputation not to underestimate weaker opponents, and teams in crisis over the years, they might want to exploit on the recent drama surrounding Sierra Leone with the news of key striker Kei Kamara’s resignation.

Sierra Leone must not replicate recent away record, a 1-0 defeat at the Hawassa Stadium against Ethiopia during the 2019 Afcon qualifiers and a 3-1 defeat in Monrovia.

Benin was a quarter-finalist in the 2019 Afcon in Egypt, unbeaten in the Group F against the likes of Ghana, Cameroon, and Guinea-Bissau.  

 They are competitive side eliminating Morocco 4-1 on penalties in the 2019 Afcon round of 16 before losing 1-0 to Senegal in the quarter-final with a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Cairo stadium.

Sierra Leone, on the other hand, was eliminated by Liberia 3-2 on aggregates in the 2022 World Cup preliminary qualifiers despite a good performance at home winning 1-0.

 The Leone Stars last Afcon final came 23 years ago in South Africa. They managed one victory against Burkina Faso at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein goals scored by John Sesay and Mohamed Kallon.

Last meetings AFCON 2008 Qualifiers

8th Oct 2006 Benin 2-0 Sierra Leone  – 12 Oct 2007 Sierra Leone 0-2 Benin

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

2021 AFCON Group L Qualifying table after Matchday one

2021 AFCON Group L Qualifying table after Matchday one

 

 

 

Sesay, Kamara, Kakay among players to arrive today

Sesay, Kamara, Kakay among players to arrive today

by | 10 Nov, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone

Helsingfors defender Hassan Milla Sesay and Azerbaijan-based midfielder John Kamara are among four foreign-based players expected to join the Leone Stars camp in Freetown today ahead of Wednesday’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho.

Sierra Leone will open their Cameroon 2021 campaign at home before travel to face Benin Squirrels four days later. 

Queens Park Rangers on-loan defender Osman Kakay, Alie Sesay, who plays for Bulgarian side FC Arda Kardzhali are all expected tonight via Brussel airlines.

Kakay and Alie Sesay make their return to Sierra Leone since the 1-0 defeat at the Hawassa Stadium in Ethiopia during the 2019 Afcon matchday 2 qualifiers. 

Football Sierra Leone understands the rest of invited players will arrive latest on Monday. 

Meanwhile, Head Coach Sellas Tetteh has today announced his full 23-man squad for both matches. The Ghanaian technician will utilise his options in a bid to produce a positive result in this crucial closed-doors encounter.

Experienced striker Kei Kamara, who scored the only goal against Liberia arrived a few days ago.

Sierra Leone 23-man squad 

Keepers: 

Solomon Zombo Morris Football Club de Bois Guillaume, John Trye Scarborough SC, Mohamed N Kamara East End Lions 

Defenders: 

Umaru Bangura  FC Zürich, Alie Sesay FC Arda Kardzhali., Osman Kakay Partick Thistle F.C, Hassan Milla Sesay HIFK Fotboll, Mustapha Dumbuya Phoenix Rising FC. Moe Alie Bo Rangers, Ibrahim Mansaray FC Kallon

Midfielders:  

John Kamara Keşla FK, Kwame Quee Víkingur Reykjavík (loan), Abdul Sesay Oulun Luistinseura, Ibrahim Conteh Persipura Jayapura, George Davies SKN St. Pölten,  Abu Dumbuya East End Lions, 

Attackers: 

Kei Kamara  Colorado Rapids, Mohamed Buya Turay Djurgårdens IF Fotboll and Mustapha Bundu Aarhus Gymnastikforening, Suffian Kalokoh Bo Rangers, Prince Barrie Bo Rangers, Alimamy Bundu East End Lions. Mahmoud Fofanah FC Kallon 

2021 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying Group L: 

Sierra Leone v Lesotho November 13th – Benin v Sierra Leone November 17th

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer Prince Scott @PrinceArmaniSc2.

John Keister replaces Kallon as Sellas Tetteh deputy

John Keister replaces Kallon as Sellas Tetteh deputy

by | 7 Nov, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone

  • The Sierra Leone Football Association have confirmed John Keister as Leone Stars first-team assistant head coach ahead of matches against Lesotho and Benin.
  • The former FC Johansen coach will replace coach Musa Kallon, who has been relieved of his duty by the SLFA with immediate effect, following a physical confrontation during the technical team training season a few days ago.

Sierra Leone to open their 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Lesotho on Wednesday 13th November behind-closed-doors at the Saika Steven Stadium in Freetown, due to a Fifa sanction.

Keister has been a success since taking over the reign at East End Lions. He guided the East End giant club to triumph during the 2018/ 2019 Sierra Leone Premier League season undefeated.

He was heavily involved with Leone Stars under Sellas Tetteh first spell.

Keister was in charge of Sierra Leone during the 2019 African Cup Of Nations qualifiers.

He guided Sierra Leone to their opening 2-1 win over Kenya in Freetown June 2017 in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations first qualifier. However, lost to Ethiopia 1-0 at the Hawassa Stadium in matchday two of the Afcon qualifying campaign.

The former FC Johansen coach was still in charge of Sierra Leone until Fifa suspended the country ahead of the Ghana doubleheader for the 2019 qualifiers. 

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

Read More on Keister 

John Keister welcomes new adventure at East End Lions

Sierra Leone to unveil new head coach John Keister

 

Sierra Leone name 15 foreign-based for Lesotho and Benin

Sierra Leone name 15 foreign-based for Lesotho and Benin

by | 6 Nov, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone

  • Head Coach Sellas Tetteh has retained most of the players that played against Liberia in September’s World Cup Preliminary qualifiers for matches against Lesotho and Benin this month.

Sierra Leone to open their campaign against Lesotho on November 13 at the Siaka Steven Stadium, before travel to face the Squirrels of Benin a few days later in Matchday one and two of the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Keeper John Trye earned first recall since 2014 following his impressive title triumph with Canadian Soccer League with side Scarborough SC.

The last time he played for Leone Stars was in 2014 against Congo DR in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification at the Stade Tata Raphael in Kinshasa. 

The shot-stopper made his Sierra Leone debut on 9 February 2011 against Nigeria.

Swedish Allsvenkan titleholder and golden boot winner, Mohamed Buya Turay, Kei Kamara, FC Zurich defender Umaru Bangura, Kwame Quee the scorer in defeat in Liberia are all named for upcoming matches.

Queens Park Rangers defender Osman Kakay, who is on loan to Scottish side Partick Thistle and Leicester City academy graduate Alie Sesay, playing his professional football with Bulgarian side FC Arda Kardzhali, are the notable inclusions.

 Kakay, 22, who made his international debut against Ethiopia during the 2019 African Nations Cup qualifier, has been an important player for the Jags.

 The notable absentees are, experienced defender David Simbo playing in the Northern Cyprus Premier League with Baf Ülkü Yurdu and Alfred Sankoh, who plays for Norwegian side  Notodden FK

Invited Overseas-based players 

Keepers: 

Solomon Zombo Morris Football Club de Bois Guillaume, John Trye Scarborough SC

Defenders: 

Umaru Bangura  FC Zürich, Alie Sesay FC Arda Kardzhali., Osman Kakay Partick Thistle F.C, Hassan Milla Sesay HIFK Fotboll, Mustapha Dumbuya Phoenix Rising FC.

Midfielders:  

John Kamara Keşla FK, Kwame Quee Víkingur Reykjavík (loan), Abdul Sesay Oulun Luistinseura, Ibrahim Conteh Persipura Jayapura, George Davies SKN St. Pölten.

Attackers: 

Kei Kamara  Colorado Rapids, Mohamed Buya Turay Djurgårdens IF Fotboll  and Mustapha Bundu Aarhus Gymnastikforening

2021 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying Group L: Nigeria, Benin, Sierra Leone, Lesotho

Sierra Leone v Lesotho November 13th – Nigeria v Benin November 13th

Lesotho v Nigeria November 17th – Benin v Sierra Leone November 17th

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer Prince Scott @PrinceArmaniSc2.