by FSL News | 12 Jul, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Football administrators and rival members of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) are calling on protesters to take to the National Stadium on Saturday during the CHAN qualifier against Senegal.
Soccer loving fans are required to dress in black as a mark of protest against the ‘death’ of football in the country.
The decision comes a few days after FIFA in a letter dated 7th July, agreed to postpone the SLFA Ordinary Congress, which had been scheduled for July 14th, 2017, until further notice.
The Congress should pave the way for the election of a president as Johansen’s term expires 3rd August as per the constitution.
According to members release signed by Kasho J Holland – Cole on Wednesday, “The general membership of the FA is calling on all football loving fans to come out in their numbers on Saturday, 15th July 2017 at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in the Cup of African Nations qualifying match between Sierra Leone and Senegal.
“All fans are required to dress in black as a mark of protest and mourning for the ‘death’ of Sierra Leone Football.”
The officials, who perform various membership roles in the running of football in the country, also stated, “The general membership of SLFA expresses dismay at the manner in which the current leadership of the SLFA continues to deprive young Sierra Leoneans of showcasing their talents to realize their dreams in football.
“We are also particularly concerned over events that have in no small measure contributed to stalling football activities across the country as well as bringing the game into disrepute for the past three (3) years.”
Isha Johansen, who was elected president of the SLFA unopposed on 3 August 2013, has been in a squabble with her rivals for almost her first term in office.
But, her executive unfazed as they have said they will go ahead with FIFA’s directives despite the Sports Minister among others have maintained that the SLFA Congress must go on as planned.
Johansen’s rival members further stated: “It has become obvious that the current situation has caused anger and frustration among football fans and the general citizenry.
“There have been far-reaching social implications on the youthful population some of which has been forced to engage in crime and other unproductive activities.
“The absence of a functional local league had also significantly diverted the minds of young and promising Sierra Leoneans especially girls who have either gone into early marriages or have regretfully succumbed to unwanted pregnancies.
“Young souls are crying on a daily basis due to this unprecedented turmoil-depriving them of their right to enjoy a unified football fraternity. Their hopes are now seemingly shattered courtesy of the divisions and hate fuelled by the activities of one individual whose ego and self-centeredness had caused the drastic decline of our beautiful game.
“Let’s all come out and tell the whole world that. Enough is enough”
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by FSL News | 11 Jul, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Abubakar Tostao Kamara and his technical team, Amidu Karim and John Sama
Sierra Leone National home-based coach, Abubakar Tostao Kamara, says his team is ready and highly motivated for their first leg tie against Senegal on Saturday, July 15 at the National Siaka Steven Stadium.
Coach Tostao’s side will take on their Senegalese counterpart in the first leg preliminary of the African Nations Championship – CHAN, as they look to have a foothold ahead of the second leg in Dakar the following week.
The former Sierra Leone skipper (pictured with his technical team) is confident that his team will fare well against a tough Senegal side.
“Over the past few weeks the assessment of players towards training is very much positive, he said and added, “The players are highly motivated, working well and determined.”
The coach, who has assembled players from different football clubs across the country keenly aware that a win in Freetown could give his side the advantage going into the second leg in Senegal.
“We have prepared well, I and my technical team have assembled the best players across the country. We have done our homework.
“Based on that I have named 23 players which are expected to be in camp this week ahead of the match on Saturday,” said Tostao.
He pointed out that they have played series of friendly Matches which have yielded dividend to the players’ fitness and ability to approach the match.
He assured the nation of success which is the ultimate goal for the team to move into the next stage of the competition.
The CHAN – is a tournament for domestic-based players in Africa – will be staged in Kenya from 12 January to 4 February 2018 in Kenya.
The winner of the double-legged tie will face the winners of the Guinea-Bissau and Guinea clash in the second round with the first leg billed to take place between 11 and 13 August, and those of the return leg the following weekend.
Full Named Squad
Ibrahim Bangura aka Stop pain- SLP FC, Issac Caulker – FC Kallon Mohamed Rogers- East End Tigers, Abu Suma- FC Johansen, Yeami Dunia- FC Johansen, Mohamed kamanor- FC Kallon, Abu Kanu aka Abedi- FC Johansen, Alfred Sakila- Central Parade, Sorie Barrie – FC Johansen, Anderson Tongor Fullah – Port Authority, Kemson Fofanah – East End Lions, Prince Barrie – FC Kallon, Abdul Babu Bangura-FC Johansen, Mohamed Lamin Bangura aka Auwah – Ports Authority, Morie Alie- Bo Rangers, John Kargbo- FC Johansen, Johnny Caulker- FC Johansen, Mahmoud Fornah aka Lampard – FC Kallon, Mohamed Z Kargbo- Real Mack FC, Mohamed Thoronka – Kamboi Eagles, Donald Wellington aka Korbor Korbor – Port Authority, Gibrilla Kamara aka Orsu – FC Kallon, Nyakeh O. Alpha – FC Johansen.
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by FSL News | 9 Jul, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
A new crisis is brewing between the Sierra Leone government and the world football body, FIFA.
Sierra Leone’s Sports Minister Ahmed Khanou is leading the charge after publicly lambasting FIFA’s Secretary-General Fatma Samoura.
The scathing attack on FIFA comes as no surprise to the majority of the football fraternity. (L-R Photo: Deputy Minister Al-Sankoh, FIFA’s Secretary-General Fatma Samoura, Minister Ahmed Khanou and SLFA boss Madam Isha Johansen)
Both sides are in disagreement over the date for the Sierra Leone FA congress which should pave the way for the election of a president.
In a buoyant response, Minister Khahou, who was answering questions from an investigative programme Monologue: Eagles Radio 91.3 stated he is devastated and disappointed with the FIFA’s Secretary-General Fatma Samoura and the entire Isha Johansen’s administration.
The Minister maintained that the SLFA’s Ordinary Congress must go on despite Fifa has agreed to postponed the SLFA Ordinary Congress, which had been scheduled for July 14th, 2017, until further notice.
“Sierra Leone is a sovereign state and should not be held to ransom, the SLFA Congress must go on,” the frustrating Minister said.
The Minister further hit out at FIFA’s “one-sided and pettiness” in decision making after the world football’s governing body in a letter according to the SLFA decided to put a hold on the SLFA’s Ordinary Congress over ‘MOU’ unmet conditions.
“I’m very devastated; I was leaving my office to pick someone up when my I got a call about the said letter from FIFA.
“I’m waiting to receive the original copy of the letter and I will take it to the president, discussed it and if given the go ahead I will write Fifa accordingly.
“I want to be honest, if I was ever devastated in my political life, this was the worst, you know why? Because one person I know from the look of it selling the country negatively, I have never administered or dictate to the Exco’s.
“What beat my imagination is Madam Fatma Samoura, the FIFA’s secretary general, who on behalf of FIFA asked the government to be mediator, she has worked for 22 years at the UN and I expected her to know better that when one party makes a claim, it must be cross-checked and hear the other side, she has failed to do so.
“The Secretary General of FIFA didn’t do such but conclusively went ahead to take a decision that is seemingly one-sided.”
The minister repeatedly warned the present FA executive that they have failed the nation and that; the end of the road is not far from their doorsteps.
In his bizarre mood, he called on the present FA and its exco’s to vacate their positions if they have pride and allow genuine others to come and run the most loving game in the country.
“They’re talking about ethics, ethics and integrity, integrity, what about the fact they’ve held people to ransom for three years without any trials, Minister pointed out.
Deputy Minister of Sports, Ishmael Al-Sankoh Conteh, never minced his words when answering to question from this medium.
He further slammed the FIFA’s sec-gen Fatma Samoura, who misleads Sierra Leoneans that Sierra Leone will be allocated a slot to host the women’s World Cup, ‘a double standard.’
“Fatmata Samura is a double standard and clear affront to undermine the peace process in football in Sierra Leone.”
“The SLFA’s Ordinary Congress must go ahead as planned. The government has invested enormously in ending the protracted impasse in Sierra Leone Football.”
However, this is not the first time FIFA and the Sierra Leone government are having a dispute.
In 2015 the National Sports Council (NSC) at first rejected demands by FIFA to reinstate its dissolved football association, cautioning the world governing body to “respect national laws.
The NSC decision was later reversed after Fifa warning of a possible suspension.
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by FSL News | 8 Jul, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The Late Keeper, Alhaji Duada Conteh second back row from Right in FC Kallon Uniform
A few days ago the nation laid to rest a Legend and a soccer hero Kama Dumbuya aka King Kama the Hunter, today another mournful atmosphere has dented the joyful mood following the demise news of Sierra Leone international, Alhaji Duada Conteh, who passed away in Freetown on Saturday.
The late goalkeeper was a few weeks ago part of the Sierra Leone national team 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers preparation against the Harambee Stars of Kenya.
He was left out of the 18-man squad that defeats the Kenyans 2-1 on June 10 due to illness in the team’s camp.
Conteh started his goalkeeping career from his local, Kissy Community before he later joined East End Lions, F.C Kallon & Diamond Stars.
He was part of the FC Kallon squad as sub goalkeeper that eliminated Union Sportive Douala of Cameroon in the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup thanks to a 2-0 win in Freetown in the second leg.
Also, the late goalkeeper was one of the three shot-stoppers included in the National team squad that was camped in Accra, Ghana as part of the team’s preparation during the Gabon 2017 African Nation Cup qualifiers final must-win match with the Elephants of Ivory Coast in Bouake.
The former East End Lions and FC Kallon goalkeeper went on to play for Fellow Stars and Horoya AC in Conakry, Guinea.
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by FSL News | 8 Jul, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The continuous rift between Isha Johansen’s executive and its rival members is going to be ever widened according to the latest development over ‘MOU’ unmet conditions.
In a letter released by the SLFA, dated 7th July, Fifa has agreed to postpone the SLFA Ordinary Congress, which had been scheduled for July 14th, 2017, until further notice.
The latest decision may plunge Sierra Leone football into a fresh crisis, a few hours after Mr Sanusi Bruski Kargbo a strong challenger has emerged to contest in the FA presidential race.
In November 2016, following her visit, FIFA’s Secretary General Fatma Samoura (Pictured) has urged the Government of Sierra Leone through the Sports Ministry to resolve the long and unhealthy dispute in the country’s football; as a result, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed.
The (MOU) document that was signed by her, the Ministry of Sports and SLFA President had not been adhered to and ‘as a result, the same problems appear to remain unresolved,’ according to Fifa’s letter.
The letter continues: “The implementation of Integrity checks to current and potential SLFA Executive Members have not been carried out and judicial bodies and administrative officials registered under the SLFA must undergo an integrity scrutiny,”
“As a consequence of the above, new task force will be created by Fifa Members Association Committee including representatives of FIFA, CAF, SLFA and the Ministry of Sports to look into issues concerning the integrity of matches.
The letter also claimed the FIFA Secretary General stated firmly that the Member Associations Committee has recommended providing the SLFA assistance to “put in place a process for integrity checks”
However, since Johansen was elected president of the SLFA unopposed on 3 August 2013, there has been on-going unrest in the running of football in the country.
On several occasions, the world body has disapproved of Johansen’s rival members in the running of football in Sierra Leone.
Previously, Stakeholders have stated they will boycott all attempt by the football body to revive the domestic football. The last edition of the Premier League was in 2014. East End Lions was topping the 2014 campaign before its suspension.
In December 2014, rival members who are seeking to overturn Johansen’s presidency saw their effort slammed by Fifa, who refused to recognise them.
A new static position in Sierra Leone football until FIFA and CAF member arrive to commence the implementation of the FIFA’s directives.
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by FSL News | 6 Jul, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
John Keister’s men stepped thirty places up in July’s football rating released by the world football governing body (FIFA).
Previously ranked 113 in the world, the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone for the first time this year moved up to become the 83rd best team and impressively the (17th) seventeen best in Africa ahead of two AFCON Group F opponent Kenya and Ethiopia.
Following their 2-1 win over Kenya in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations first leg qualifying tie in Freetown on June 10 they are also back in Africa’s top twenty best nations.
Sierra Leone next international outing is a home and away contest against Senegal.
The local Leone Stars will start their quest to reach Kenya 2018 when they take on the Teranga Lions of Senegal in the first leg qualifiers next weekend before travelling to Dakar for the return fixture the following week.
The CHAN – is a tournament for locally-based African players featuring in their own country’s domestic leagues – will be staged in Kenya from 12 January to 4 February 2018.
The winner of the double-legged tie will face the winners of the Guinea-Bissau and Guinea clash in the second round with the first leg billed to take place between 11 and 13 August, and those of the return leg the following weekend.
Meanwhile, Germany have returned to the top of the pile for the first time in two years following their Confederation Cup triumph with Brazil and Argentina sitting in second and third place respectively.
Brazil and Argentina are 2nd and 3rd respectively with Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, Chile, Colombia, France and Belgium making up the top ten teams in the world in that order.
Africa’s Top 20
1. Egypt 2. Senegal 3. Congo DR 4. Tunisia 5. Cameroon
6. Nigeria 7. Burkina Faso 8. Algeria 9. Ghana 10. Côte d’Ivoire 11. Mali 12. Morocco 13. South Africa 14. Guinea 15. Uganda 16. Mauritania 17. Sierra Leone 18. Kenya 19. Guinea-Bissau 20. Congo
The next Fifa/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 10 August 2017.
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -