by FSL News | 26 May, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
After a long wait, a court verdict in the alleged corruption case involving the suspended president of the Sierra Leone FA Isha Johansen and her Sec-Gen Chris Kamara is expected on May 27.
Sierra Leone’s Anti-corruption boss Francis Ben Kaifala confirmed the date in his twitter post to end weeks of uncertainty over the verdict which will bring an end to the trial which has been running for nearly two years.
The ACC in a bid to stop corrupt Sierra Leoneans on several occasion has maintained that there are no exceptions with regards to the ‘rule of law’ in Sierra Leone.
The embattled SLFA boss Johansen and Sec-Gen Chris Kamara have both denied any wrongdoing.
It has been seven months since the Fifa Bureau Council suspended Sierra Leone on allegations of government interference.
Fifa conveyed the International suspension on the 5th October 2018 and two weeks after reiterated that the country hold-up will continue until the alleged corruption trial against SLFA head Isha Johansen and sec-gen Chris Kamara come to an end.
Johansen, who was elected as SLFA boss unopposed on 3 August 2013, has faced with internal bitter power struggle.
Uncertainty will still surround Sierra Leone football as it is unclear what decision the world football body will take after judgment.
However, the Sierra Leone government will re-engage Fifa following judgement Ben Kaifala told Football Sierra Leone last month.
CAF disqualified Sierra Leone from the 2019 African Nations Cup qualifiers (Group F) due to the pending suspension.
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by FSL News | 23 May, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Ron Gandy Williams after surgery at the Korle-Bu teaching hospital, in Accra, Ghana.
Kamboi Eagles striker, Ron Gandy-Williams has thanked fans and donors for their support during a difficult time for him.
The Eagles top scorer in the Sierra Leone Premier League suffered serious injury against Central Parade at the Kenema City field on the 12th of May.
The attacker will face a lengthy spell out until a further X-ray indicated that his fractures have been completely healed, and returned to normal.
He was diagnosed with a mandibular fracture and underwent surgery at the Korle-Bu teaching hospital, in Accra, Ghana on Tuesday.
“Thank you for all your support and contributions it means a lot to me,” Williams message to fans and donors.
“I just want to express my profound gratitude to everybody that contributed towards funding my treatment in Ghana.”
“If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know what would have happened to me. God will richly bless them for me. I pray that they will succeed in all there undertaken.”
“The funds donated were championed by the Kamboi Eagle management. They appealed on my behalf rallied around good philanthropists to raise the requested funds for my surgery,” he explained.
The former Mount Aureole SLIFA player was also thankful to staffs of Korle-Bu teaching hospital, in Accra.
“I also want to thank the entire maxillofacial department comprising of specialist that showed me great care and attention before and after the surgery.”
“They saved me from death. They gave me another chance to live. They showed me the way when I seemed lost.”
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by FSL News | 16 May, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Striker Badara Kella Jr was delighted to be part of the Kamboi Eagles squad that defeated Central Parade 1-0 last Sunday at the Kenema Town playing field.
Kella had not been involved since injured against Diamond Stars in their opening league campaign in Kono.
“It’s been frustrating for me as I’ve been out for over two months. Got injured during our first match against diamond stars of Kono,” the former U23 attacker admitted.
However, the attacker, who scored his first International goal against Benin during the 2012-2013 WAFU competition, sounded positive with his recovery process.
“Obviously, happy to be back and have featured twice in the 4-2 defeat against East End Lions and in our 1-0 victory over Central Parade last week Sunday.”
“In this current league, due to injury, I have appeared in three matches with no goal recorded as yet,” he added.
“Although it has not been that smooth for me, however, I’ve been impressed with the teams’ present form. We have played good football so far, and we are hoping to end the season on a high spirit.”
Kamboi Eagle’s next outing will be against giant Mighty Blackpool both teams on 22 points on the current standings.
In 2015, he scored a prominent goal for Kamboi Eagles against Algerian football club ASO Chlef in the CAF confederation in Kenema Town field.
Photo: Kella Junior second from left with teammates before the Central Parade victory.
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by FSL News | 24 Apr, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Ex-Sierra Leone captain Ibrahim Kargbo is among four Africans sanctioned by Fifa for match manipulation for life.
The retired former international was amongst 14 others in Sierra Leone on allegations of match-fixing.
The match in question was the 2008 African Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa which ended in a goalless draw.
Fifa statements read: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has found nine individuals – eight players/former players as well as one players’ agent – guilty of having been involved in match manipulation in violation of art. 69 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (Unlawfully influencing match results).W
“The following individuals have been banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at both national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for life,” Fifa stated in their release.
In 2014, the Sierra Leone Football Association and the Ministry of Sport under former minister Paul Kamara said in a statement it had received “credible and tangible information” on the alleged involvement of the 15 in match-fixing.
The allegation has been under investigation in recent months following a FIFA investigation team to Sierra Leone.
The latest release from the world’s football body has confirmed Kargbo and the following names below have been sanctioned for life.
Mr Karlon Murray, Trinidad and Tobago
Mr Keyeno Thomas, Trinidad and Tobago
Mr Hellings Mwakasungula, Malawi
Mr Ibrahim Kargbo, Sierra Leone
Mr Kudzanai Shaba, Zimbabwe
Mr Séïdath Tchomogo, Benin
Mr Leonel Duarte, Cuba
Mr Mohammad Salim Israfeel Kohistani, Afghanistan
The Fifa’s document to Football Sierra Leone
It’s worth mentioning that In 2017, match-fixing charges against Ibrahim Obreh Kargbo in Holland was dropped because of a lack of hard evidence.
The PPO has not been able to gather enough evidence to continue the case against Ibrahim Kargbo.
“Even if someone confesses a murder, but this is not supported by other documentary evidence, the murder cannot be proven. One statement is not proof in criminal law,” the Public Prosecution Service noted.
“The KNVB has killed my career. I have never been afraid of the outcome of the investigation. What I did in my period with Willem II puts me among the best players.”
“My lawyer now has to make sure that the KNVB clears my name and that I get compensation,” Kargbo told footballsierraleone.net two years ago.
Kargbo’s banned in Holland came following alleged match-fixing claims in 2016 by the Dutch Football Association, who announced that they have discovered evidence of match-fixing involving the former R.W.D.M. Brussels player.
The Dutch FA (KVNB) claimed that Kargbo was linked to well-known match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal, but according to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, there is insufficient evidence.
It was alleged that in August 2009 Kargbo, while playing for Dutch top-flight side Willem II, tried to fix a match against FC Utrecht.
The former Charleroi player, who at the time was still playing for English Non-league side Dulwich Hamlet has always denied wrongdoing.
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by FSL News | 19 Apr, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sallieu Tarawallie has joined Icelandic second-tier side Víkingur Ólafsvík on a one-year deal with an option to extend from childhood club Giant of Grassfield FC.
“The attacker who can play in both wings will join his compatriot, Ibrahim Sorie Barrie, who is now in his second year with the company,” the club announced.
Before his move, the 24-year-old has been a pivotal player for FC Kallon in ongoing Sierra Leone revamp domestic league.
“It is a step in the right direction and will be a turning point for his career,” local agent Chernor Musa told this medium.
“It is a good place for him, and I believe he will do well with this club, as already he will meet fellow Sierra Leonean Sorie Barrie at the club.”
“I’m happy for him wishing him all the best. I hope others will follow him soon, a player like Kwame Quee has made a good impression in this club and Iceland.”
He has had spells in Israel with Beitar Tel Aviv Ramla and FC Dila Gori in Georgia before joining Mbabane Swallows In Eswatini formerly of Swaziland.
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by FSL News | 19 Apr, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Embattled Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) boss, Isha Johansen, has re-engaged FIFA with regards to the Kenema artificial turf project.
The project worth US$ 644,500.00 was the approval reportedly received from FIFA, with regards to the installation of the standard turf in Kenema two years ago.
The Fifa and Caf executive committee member has been pleading with the soccer world body to authorize the official FIFA project contractors ‘Edel Grass’ to proceed with the installation, Football Sierra Leone understands.
It could be recalled that Fifa categorically outlined that the country will not benefit from any of its development programmes after the suspension was announced.
“Following its suspension, the SLFA has lost all its membership rights as defined in art. 13 of the FIFA Statutes. The SLFA’s national and affiliated club teams are no longer entitled to take part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted,” Fifa penned on October 5th 2018.
However, Johansen has reminded FIFA of her internal struggle to secure the turf for Kenema.
“For close to two years my executive and I fought to rise above the political obstacles as our common vision was borne out of national development and social integration through football,” Johansen was quoted as saying.
“It is for this reason that I would like to emphasise the need to proceed as planned despite the current suspension of our federation,” she pleaded to Fifa top officials.
Holland-based Edel Grass Group are the official contractors.
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