by FSL News | 11 Mar, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
CAF Confederation Cup: Round 1 Stade Olympique de Radès 15:00 Sunday March 12th, 2017
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) football team will face a new and tough African adventure this weekend in Tunis against one of Africa’s giants, Club Africain, the Tunisian omnisport club and winners of the 27th edition of the CAF Champions League.
The two will go toe to toe for this first time ever on Sunday for the first leg of their CAF Cup encounter at the Stade Olympique de Rades in the Tunisian capital while the second leg to be held in Freetown will be in the following weekend.
RSLAF on paper, are no doubt the underdogs for this crucial encounter and many African pundits are sceptical of backing a major upset from the Sierra Leonean side.
“Football is an unpredictable game. If RSLAF can eliminate Nigerian club, Wikki Tourists 2-1 on aggregate in the preliminary stage after playing with 10 men for almost 35 minutes, nothing is impossible,” Joshua Sandy said in RSLAF’s defence.
Club Africain, will be without January acquisition striker, Matthew Rusike but the technical staff will be able to count on Seifeddin Jaziri and Malian striker, Malick Touré.
Club Africain were eliminated 2-1 from the 2016 CAF Champions League by Algerian top flight side MO Béjaïa despite Club Africain winning the first leg 1-0 at home. RSLAF have nothing to lose.
They have already been very impressive following their triumph in Nigeria and many Sierra Leonean soccer fans believe they can stamp another shocker in this competition if they can pick up a vital goal in Tunis.
Head Coach, Alimamy Bangura, according to media reports is quoted as saying that his side will settle for a defensive formation in Tunis, playing on the break.
Club Africain Honours:  African Champions League Winners: 1991 – CAF Confederation Cup Runners-up: 2011 –  Afro-Asian Club Championship Winners: 1993 – African Cup Winners’ Cup – Runners-up: 1990, 1999
CAF Confederations Cup weekend matches
11.03. 13:00 Vipers (Uga) v Platinum Stars (Rsa)
11.03. 13:30 Sanga Balende (DRC) v Hilal El Obied Club (Sud)
11.03. 14:00 Libolo (Ang) v Ngezi Platinum FC (Zim)
11.03. 14:30 Etoile du Congo (Con) v Kabylie (Alg)
11.03. 16:30 AS Kaloum Star (Gui) v IR Tanger (Mar)
11.03. 17:00 Onze Createurs (MLI) v Rayon Sport (Rwa)
11.03. 17:00 Sfaxien (Tun) v Young Sports Academy (Cmr)
12.03. 15:00 Club Africain (Tun) v RSLAF (SLE)
12.03. 16:00 ASEC (Ivo) v APEJES Academy (Cmr)
12.03. 16:15 Azam (Tan) v Mbabane Swall. (Swa)
12.03. 16:30 Ahli Shendi (Sud) v Supersport (Rsa)
12.03. 17:00 Djoliba (Mli) v El Masry (Egy)
12.03. 19:00 Maghreb (Mar) v Sporting Gagnoa (Ivo)
@football_sierra
Follow the writer @bittar32 – Contact: bi****@*********************ne.net
by FSL News | 1 Mar, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has denied president Isha Johansen has given an endorsement to (CAF) president Issa Hayatou’s challenger Ahmad Ahmad for the upcoming continental elections this month.
Hayatou in photo faces perhaps the biggest challenge in three-decade reign as CAF president. The next Confederation of African Football president will be limited to three terms in office.
With barely 15 days to go for the decider, Madagascar’s football boss, Ahmad Ahmad, will be challenging the longest-serving Hayatou for the CAF presidency at the 39th Ordinary General Assembly, at which the election will take place on March 16 in Ethiopia
On Tuesday, February 28, 2017, Nigerian’s Tony Ubani of the Vanguard newspaper reported that Sierra Leone have joined the likes of Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA), Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and the Gambia to openly support the 57-year-old man.
“As you know the whole of COSAFA, which has 15 members are for Ahmad. Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, the Gambia, Sierra Leone are openly supporting the man from Antananarivo. Also, the closeness of FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and Secretary General, Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura to the “New Generation” who wants to topple the “Old” order would be another blow to the Hayatou camp,” the Nigeria Vanguard newspaper reported.
However, the Sierra Leone Football Association Director of Competition who also doubles as the acting on communication officer, Sorie Ibrahim Sesay has dismissed the said report as baseless and misleading adding that the SLFA, Madam Isha Johansen is yet to make an official statement on the said elections.
“The president of the FA has not made any statement on that, the report is completely misleading, we all know Amaju Pinnick (Nigeria Football Federation) is backing Ahmad but that does not imply the SLFA boss is backing him, she has not made any statement on that as she is keeping her cards close to her chest,” Sesay said.
A total of 54 countries in CAF will cast their vote in the March elections and any candidates who poll 28 votes automatically becomes the winner of the election and Ahmad Ahmad is said to have secured 21 member countries in his fold with more others weighing their options.
North Africans have not indicated where their votes would go but feelers show that Ahmad would divide their votes because of a recent face-off with the 71-year-old Hayatou who became President of CAF in Casablanca, Morocco in 1988.
Ahmad is a member of the CAF Executive Committee and he is currently in his third term in office as head of Madagascar’s FA.
Follow the writer @morrisjr88 – @football_sierra
by FSL News | 25 Feb, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone Football Association’s (SLFA) extraordinary congress which was slated for today 25th February, aimed at resolving a long-standing dispute has been shifted to March 5, 2017, the Minister of Sports Ahmed Khanu confirmed on Friday 24, 2017. (SLFA boss Isha Johansen in Photo)
The last FA’s Congress which was held in Makeni April 2015 was postponed unexpectedly over the eligibility of some of the delegates who were expected to attend.
“The extraordinary congress will be on 5th March due to obvious reasons,” Minister Khanu said.
The Minister made the disclosure at a Joint press conference organised by the Ministry of Sports and the Sierra Leone football Association (SLFA).
Speaking to a cross-section of journalists, the Minister said he was given the responsibility by both the President of Sierra Leone and FIFA to settle the impasse that has engulfed the development of football in Sierra Leone within the first quarter of the year an ultimatum which we all have to abide by and work is in progress of such.
He further noted, as head of the transition, that there are reasons why the congress has been postponed. Firstly, he has to brief President Koroma about the progress made so far by all bodies then get his recommendations before going to congress.
Secondly, he noted that the seven-man committee has still not submitted their report to President Koroma, which according to him is a key component of going to the extraordinary congress. Until I have addressed all these issues then we can go for the congress.
“On Monday I will be meeting with the President to give him update on how far things have gone so far and also the same day the seven-man committee will be giving their reports to his Excellency the President.”, Khanu explained.
In response, the Spokesman for the Football Stakeholders of Sierra Leone, Kasho Holland-Cole said “We are not aware of any postponement of the congress ,” adding “We have not been notified by the minister or the FA in this regard we are aware of congress today and we are prepared for it.”.
He furthered accused the minister of not been honest in the process maintaining all discussion from the Press Conference is illegal. “As a body, we have made our position clear that we are set for congress today.”
Follow the writer @PScott_writer – @football_sierra
by FSL News | 25 Feb, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The Presidential Pavilion of the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown has had 950 chairs installed as part of the Stadium’s upgrade to an all-seater international standard.
According to the Minister of Sports, Ahmed Khanou, who took Journalists and some members of the Sierra Leone Football Association, on a work site tour, he informed journalists that only 15% of work has been done at the stadium, adding that after the VIP area, the next will be the covered stands, the pitch, and the commentary booth.
Apart from renovating the main stadium pavilions, he also said that work will commence on the renovation and rehabilitation of the stadium hostel. The Minister assured that the first phase of the works will be done before the National League and Afcon 2019 qualifiers begins.
Follow the writer @PScott_writer
by FSL News | 19 Feb, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
CAF Confederation Cup (Preliminary Round – RSLAF through on 2-1 Aggregate)
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces FC (RSLAF) will face Tunisian top flight team Club Africain in the CAF Confederation first round cracker in March 2017.
Congratulations to RSLAF FC who booked their place in the first round of the Caf Confederation Cup, despite a 1-0 away defeat in Nigeria on Sunday.
Wikki Tourists’ captain Mustapha Ibrahim scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 55th at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.
The Visitors played for almost half hour with ten men, but were energized to reach the next stage of the competition.
It would be recalled that RSLAF defeated the Nigerians in Freetown 2-0 in the first preliminary contest at the Siaka Steven Stadium last week Sunday.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 18 Feb, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Video & News
Result: FUS Rabat 3:0 FC Johansen (4-1 on aggregate) – Date: 18 February 2017 – Venue: Stadium Moulay Al Hassab, Rabat.
FUS Rabat moved to the next stage of the CAF Champions League qualifiers after defeating FC Johansen 3-0 in Rabat and 4-1 on aggregate on Saturday.
FC Johansen nearly broke the deadlock after 10 minutes the visitors rattled the crossbar from a header.
FUS Rabat eventually broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Karim Benarif taps in a pass from the left to put the home team in front.
Following their opening goal, between the two sides, the home team was the better side creating a couple of half-chances before the break.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=NMmQo9I0RZ8
Johansen started well in the second half, they were desperate for a goal to get back into the tie but leaving their defense very much open.
In the 77th minutes, Gambian international Yusupha Njie capitalised and doubled the hosts lead with a lovely volley before El Araoui H completed the victory from close range in the 93′ minutes additional time.
It will be recalled that FC Johansen played 1-1 draw with their Moroccans counterparts on February 11 in Freetown.
FUS at their Moulay Al Hassab stadium in Rabat thrashed the Sierra Leone 2016 FA Cup Champions 3-0 to go through on 4-1 aggregate scoreline.
The visitors fell short to compete against a very experienced Moroccan top flight side. FUS Rabat will likely face Libyan outfit Al Ahly Tripoli in March.
Al Ahly thrashed Ghanaian champions Wa All Stars 3-1 at the Tamale Sports Stadium in Ghana in their first preliminary tie.
Here is how they line-up:
Mohammed Kamara Gk, Yeami Dunia, Abu kanu aka Abedi, Abu suma, Ibrahim kabba aka Taribo, Ibrahim Sorie Barrie Cpt, John Caulker, Kwame Quee, Nyakeh O Alpha, George Mata aka Baggio, Abdul Bangura aka Babu
Subs: Unisa Conteh aka Dunsor, Saidu Bundu aka skertel, Solomon Toby aka okiki, Abdulai keita Bangura, Denise kamara, Musa kamara aka Alves
Coach: John Keister
Rabat’s XI: El Housli, Mehdi Khalis, Nayef Aguerd, Mehdi Bassil, Mohamed Nahiri, Karim Benarif, Ahmed Jahouh, Ibrahim Sidibie, Hicham El Aroui, Mohamed Fouzair, Abdessalam A Benjelloun.
Subs: Majid, Saoud, Jarici, Skouma, Yusupha Njie, Bettache, Niang.
Coach: Hoalid Regragui
Officiating Team: Central referee: Lahlou Benbraham – 1st assistant referee: Bouabdallah Omari – 2nd assistant referee: Mohammed Serradji – Reserve referee: Redouane Necib. All From Algeria
Saturday, February 18, 2017 – CAF Champions League Results:
FUS Rabat (Mar) 3 : 0 FC Johansen (Sie) (4-1 Aggregate)
Al-Merreikh (Sud) 4 : 1 Ela Nguema (Gnq) (5-1 Aggregate)
Bidvest Wits (Rsa) 3 : 1 Saint-Louisienne (Reu) (4-3 Aggregate)
ASFAN (Nig) 3 : 1 Tanda (Ivo) (3-4 Aggregate)
Township Rollers (Bot) 3 : 2 CNaPS Sport (Mad) (4-4 Aggregate)
APR (Rwa) 0 :1 Zanaco (Zam) (0-1 Aggregate)
Atlabara (Ssu) 1 : 4 Cotonsport (Cmr) 1:6 Aggregate)
Young Africans (Tan) 1: 1 Ngaya Club (Com) (6:1 Aggregate)
@football_sierra
Sierra Leone | Highlights -Â