by FSL News | 20 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
By Prince Armani Scott – follow the writer @PrinceArmaniSc2
Sierra Leone’s current men’s ranking in photo
Sierra Leone have moved further down to 114th position from 111th in the latest FIFA global rankings announced on Thursday 20 September.
The national men’s soccer side suffered a 1 nil defeat in Ethiopia on September 9 at the Hawassa Stadium in the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier.
Prior to the Ethiopia defeat, they played to a goalless draw against the Lone Star of Liberia in an International friendly in Monrovia in July.
However, Sierra Leone’s opponents in the race to Cameroon 2019, Ghana down six places to 51st and Kenya, who are the biggest movers now sit 107 after earning 1204 points.
The Harambee Stars victory over the Black Stars in the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier, see them moved five places up.
In Africa, Leone Stars is the 28th best team with Tunisia leading the pecking order.
Sierra Leone highest ever rankings came in August 2014, when they were ranked 50th globally.
Meanwhile, Belgium joined the top of the Fifa world rankings alongside World Cup winners France – the first time two teams have shared the top spot.
The only other change in the top 10 sees Denmark drop below Spain into 10th place.
Germany, who fell from first to 15th place in August after their group stage exit from the World Cup, have moved up to 12th.
The rankings were introduced in December 1992.
Belgium beat Iceland in the Nations League and Scotland in a friendly earlier this month, while France beat the Netherlands, but drew 0-0 with Germany in the Nations League.
Global top Ten
1. Belgium 1. France 3. Brazil 4.Croatia 5. Uruguay 6. England
7. Portugal 8.Switzerland 9. Spain 10. Denmark
Africa’s Top Ten
Tunisia (23) Senegal (25) DR Congo (40) Morocco (45) Nigeria (48) Cameroon (50) Ghana (51) Burkina Faso (56) Mali (63) Egypt (64)
by FSL News | 16 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
FREETOWN: By Sarh Morris jr – follow the writer @morrisjr88
Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh has engaged football stakeholders and other key players in dialogue to ensure the country’s national leagues kick-start after five years.
According to the Sports Minister, it is about time the stakeholders and other key players see the need for the commencement of the country’s premier league.
“The country is presently affected socially, economically, mentally and physically as a result of non-league,” said the Minister.
“This has even affected the performance of our national team and the youth U-17 as manifested in Ethiopia and Senegal respectively.”
In his response to the minister plea, Chairman of the football stakeholders on behalf of his colleague, Idrissa Mago Tarawally said that they are willing to play the game.
However, Mago was quick to inform the Sports Minister that few important have to be looked into before they start playing.
He said: “Josepha Samba Keilfala who was appointed as the Premier League Board chairman is not qualified to hold such position, hence he should be removed.
“The judicial bodies should be established and approved which can only be done at Congress level.” However, the said meeting was rescheduled Tuesday 18th September 2018.
Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook & Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 15 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
FREETOWN: By Sahr Morris jr – follow the writer @morrisjr88
Some football loving fans in Sierra Leone have taken to social media expressing their disappointment with the long-lasting football impasse in the country thereby blast the world football governing body, FIFA and the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) executive.
The latest outburst from fans in the country came after the SLFA media team last Friday released an unsigned press release with the headline: “SLFA executive committee takes a position on ACC ultimatum.”
According to the said release, the world football governing body informed them (SLFA), that they are monitoring the development of the SLFA and the ACC ultimatum while admitting that further information on the Sierra Leone situation would reach the FIFA Member Association Committee that is expected to meet on 26th of September 2018.
FIFA asked that the said roadmap which was agreed on by all parties a few years back should be followed.
However, fans who are following the SLFA Facebook page reacted strongly to the said press release with different views.
Adikalie M Kamara stated in his post: “The so-called FIFA are also contributing to the downfall of Sierra Leone football, let them stay out of our football issue.”
One Ibrahim Bangura noted: “The current SLFA management are using FIFA statute to panic themselves, not Sierra Leoneans. Their impact was woeful and appalling since they assumed office.”
Usman Mohamed Manneh asked: “And no one has the guts to sign this statement?” He further commented: “Bunch of crooks running the affairs of football in our country. I have said it, many times and I will continue to say it.”
Affectionate Giza called on the country’s President, Madam Bio to take prompt action and allow FIFA to ban Sierra Leone from world football which he said will help the country to have a good and restructured national league and to be able to market our young talents who have taken football as their trade.
Solomon Kamara, on the other hand, posted: “Roadmap my foot, for how long this SLFA executive will continue to hold on to power when their term in office has come to an end just for their selfish gains. Is FIFA law over our country law?” he asked.
Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook & Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 10 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
By Ishmail Saidu Kanu in Hawassa, Ethiopia – © SWASAL with support from the Ministry of Sports
Sierra Leone coach John Keister has expressed his dissatisfaction over the lacklustre performance of his ‘experienced’ and ‘senior’ players after Sunday’s defeat.
The Leone Stars suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Walias of Ethiopia in the 2019 AFCON Qualifiers on Sunday at the Hawassa International Stadium.
Ethiopia’s Captain Getaneh Kedebe Gibeto scored the only goal of the match after Leone Stars conceded a penalty in the 35th minutes courtesy of Yeami Dunia.
The West African team performed below expectation leaving Sierra Leoneans both in Ethiopia and at home in a disappointing mood.
Speaking during the post-match Press Conference, John Keister said he was disappointed at the performance of the team giving a bigger share of the blame to the ‘experienced’ players.
“I don’t think the bigger and experienced players performed at all…and that’s my disappointment. We just have to go back and work as hard as we can…try and get the right players back in and take it from there”, the 48-year old noted.
He commended the Ethiopians for their exceptional performance on match day 2 while expressing determination ahead of their match with Ghana in a month’s time.
Ethiopian Manager Abraham Mebratu expressed his delight after securing the three points in his first competitive match as Head Coach of the 1962 Champions.
All four teams in Group F have three points each, leaving the group wide open.
The Sierra Leone Delegation will depart for Freetown on Monday 10th September. 2018.
Follow us on twitter @football_sierra and On Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 9 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The Walias of Ethiopia revived their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone at the Hawassa Stadium on Sunday.
Ethiopian Premier League striker Getaneh Kebede converted a spot kick in 35 minutes to give the host team a deserving lead.
Tunisia referee, Sadok Selmi awarded a penalty to the Ethiopians after Ahmed Reshid fouled in the box.
As a result, the Walias now back in contention with all four teams now on three points from two matches in Group F.
The host team undoubtedly enjoyed the better share of play and dictated terms but their decision making in the final third was poor.
Sierra Leone tried to fight back before the break but entered the halftime a goal down.
The Ethiopians came out in the second half in high spirit, but their shooting in front of goal was poor as they failed to add to their goal tally.
John Kamara, who was introduced replacing Sint Truiden attacker Mohamed Buya attacker Turay, came very close to get the equalizer for Sierra Leone in 67th minutes.
Sierra Leone away drought continued – their last away win comes on the 08 September 2002 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations Group 7 qualifiers.
Ghana still top of the group with Leone Stars now third behind Kenya.
Sierra Leone next match is against Ghana Black Stars in October 2018 while Ethiopia host Kenya in another crucial contest.
Sierra Leone Coach John Keister:
“I don’t think the bigger and experienced players performed at all.”
“That’s my disappointment. We just have to go back and work as hard as we can.”
“I am going to do my best to get the right players back in and take it from there.”
He commended the Ethiopians for their exceptional performance on matchday 2 while expressing determination ahead of their match with Ghana in a month’s time.
Ethiopian Manager Abraham Mebratu expressed his delight after securing the three points in his first competitive match as Head Coach of the 1962 Champions.
Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook & Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
Ethiopia beat Sierra Leone the away drought still on
#QAFCON2019 Group F standings
by FSL News | 7 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone will square off with Ethiopia in the 2019 Group F Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday in search of their first away win since 2002.
The Leone Stars, who will face off with the Ethiopians for the first time in history are also targeting a second straight win in the qualifiers.
Kick-off is at 16h00 EAT and the game is set to take place at the Hawassa International Stadium.
“We have been here for the last four days and we’re trying to get acclimatise, Coach Keister told Ethiopian based journalist Omna Taddele.
“We are here to be competitive. I do not want to be disrespectful but we want to get something from the game on Sunday.”
“The team will be coming out very positive and hopefully we get what we deserve,” Keister said.
When asked about the Kenya win, Keister added, “I do not want to go back to the Kenya victory but focusing on the Ethiopia game. We looking forward to this game with a very strong mentality. ”
Sierra Leone last away win comes on the 08 September 2002 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations Group 7 qualifiers.
Goals from Mamadou Bah 38′ Muwahid Sesay 46′ and Sidique Mansaray gave Leone Stars a 3-1 away victory.
Since then the national team have not managed another away victory in 16 years.
According to our sources from the team’s Hawassa based, the players are in high spirit, focused and ready.
Midfielder Alfred ‘Zagalo’ Sankoh and defender David Simbo joined the teams based yesterday.
Sint Truiden striker Mohamed Buya Turay, who scored on his debut in their 1-1 draw against Lokeren in August will join the rest of the squad today.
Potential debutant for Sierra Leone Queens Park Rangers defender, Osman Kakay a few days ago confirmed he is ready and very excited about the prospect of playing for Sierra Leone.
The likes of MLS based striker Kei Kamara, SC Kuwait Midfielder Mohamed Medo Kamara, Kazakhstan-based midfield enforcer John Kamara, as well as Panetolikos new acquisition striker Alhassan Crespo Kamara are all raring to go.
Twenty of the 21 players available will continue with their preparation this evening. Sierra Leone sitting second behind Ghana in Group F.
The Ethiopians, on the other hand, are desperate to upset Sierra Leone.
Coach Abraham Mebratu is hopeful despite going into Sunday’s crucial qualifier with some notable absentees.
“I promise to give 100 percent to the Ethiopian national team. Nonetheless, a national team coach could not do the job all by himself so I need to support of all the stakeholders,” the former Yemen coach added.
Keeper Abel Mamo, playmaker Tafese Solomon and defender Addis Tesfaye are all unavailable. However, Ethiopian U-20 national side custodian Tsion Merede is a surprise inclusion.
Veteran forward Getaneh Kebede and experienced duo, Behailu Assefa and Samson Assefa are all in the squad to face Sierra Leone.
The Ethiopians are pointless after their opening 5-0 thumping in Kumasi, Ghana in June 2017 while Sierra Leone defeats Kenya 2-1 in Freetown.
Kenya host Ghana in the other Group F match also on Sunday in Nairobi.
Cameroon 2019 Group F standings
Follow us on twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net
Sierra Leone | Highlights -