by FSL News | 14 Jul, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone have moved above the 2017 African Cup of Nations host Gabon and up to 90th from 108 in the latest Fifa world rankings after winning two straight matches in March and June.
Sellas Tetteh’s men have jumped 18 places, now 25th in Africa and are eight places above Gabon, who dropped ten spots after losing to Sierra Leone and played to a goalless draw against Ivory Coast in group I of the qualifiers.
Sellas Tetteh’s side defeated Sudan and Gabon 1-0 in March and June 2016 respectively in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Freetown to record their first and second victory since the country was declared free of Ebola.
The victory against Gabon also marked their first win in the qualifiers at home since defeating Seychelles 2-0 July 19, 2014.
Sierra Leone currently in third place behind Gabon and Cote D’Ivoire and victory against Ivory Coast in September will see them reaching the continent big stage after 20 years.
Argentina still on top globally, ahead of Belgium, Colombia, World Cup holders Germany, Copa America champions Chile and Euro 2016 winners Portugal.
The World top ten (10) teams are Argentina, Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Chile, Portugal, France, Spain, Brazil, Italy.
In Africa, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, Cameroon, Morocco, DR Congo, and Mali are the top ten teams.
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by FSL News | 7 Jul, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Western Australia National Premier League side, Stirling Lions left-back, David Sesay (Pictured) has indicated his willingness to be part of the Sierra Leone men’s soccer team and defend the uniform of Sierra Leone internationally.
In a bid to realise his dream, the highly-rated agile and versatile defender is hoping to be contacted by the national team’s handlers in the near future.
Sesay, 25, who has represented Australia as a junior at the Singapore international Challenge Cup U-15s stated ‘It will be an honour to put on Sierra Leone colours.’
”I would love to represent Sierra Leone and it will be an honour, it’s just a matter of them showing an interest really,” Sesay told footballballsierraleone.net
“I was 8-years-old when I came to Australia and I’ve played for several clubs in the second division.
“I have represented Australia as a junior in Singapore, but my aspirations have always been to represent my country, Sierra Leone.”
”If Sierra Leone comes calling and showed that they wanted me, why not?”
The Perth-based soccer club currently competes in the National Premier Leagues Western Australia which is one grade lower than the Australian A-League.
They are presently third in the NPL standings four points adrift of league leaders Inglewood United.
David Sesay has been on the books of the Western Australian side as a 14-year-old boy before leaving to get more playing time by joining Bayswater.
“I joined Stirling Lions at the age of 14 but left to peruse first team football at Bayswater United, before rejoining this season. He explained.
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by FSL News | 5 Jul, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone international Sheka Fofanah, who is on test with the Swedish Champions, suffered a setback in IFK Norrköping’s 7-0 victory. (Photo: Niclas Sandberg)
The 21-year old forward joined IFK Norrköping in the camp in Dalarna and played in their 7-0 victory against the local team last Saturday but was absent from the team’s Monday session in the sunshine on Östgötaporten.
“He has a little groin troubles. He has been examined but we do not know yet how serious it is, Norrkoping manager Jens Gustafsson told corren.se after the training tie.
“We’ll see how it goes the rest of the week. We have a small picture of him but it is too small. There is definitely a need to see him more.
Jens Gustafsson was disappointed not to see more of the striker, “deeply unhappy” that Sheka Fofanah does not show up as much as it was originally intended.
The Leone Stars match winner against Sudan who has been described as ‘hungry but damaged’ also told corren.se.
“This is my first time in Europe. I want to play here. This is a big step for me, he stresses while he is watching training from the stands.
“Alhaji Kamara is my friend. He has only said good things about the club IFK Norrköping. I know of course Teteh and Mohamed Bangura,” said Fofanah.
When asked to describe his ability, Fofanah explained: “I’m fast, technical; believed in myself, I work to make my team better. It is a big step in my life to be here.”
Fofanah in four appearances for Sierra Leone has scored twice, one against Gabon in Franceville and Sudan in Freetown in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
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by FSL News | 28 Jun, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
Sierra Leone defender Sheriff Suma has announced his retirement from international football.
Suma, 29, who won over 30 caps for Sierra Leone, said he wants to concentrate on his club career and making way for the younger prospects.
“After carefully considering my situation, I have officially decided that it is right to give a chance to the younger players.
“And I think the time is right to retire from international football.
“I thank God for bringing me this far,” he told footballsierraleone.net
Suma was heavily involved in the Sierra Leone squad during the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers in which the country struggled to win a single game.
His last game for Sierra Leone was in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Chad in Nigeria Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium (Port Harcourt) – Sierra Leone won 2-1 but was eliminated from the preliminaries 13 October 2015.
He was the captain in DRC Congo and Ivory Coast during the AFCON 2015 qualifiers, in both matches the country was heavily defeated 3-1 and 5-1 respectively.
Sheriff Suma was born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone hailing from Guinean parents.
He started his professional career with Åtvidabergs FF in 2005 where he made 49 appearances scoring seven goals.
In 2001, Suma, who was widely considered as one of the best Sierra Leonean youth footballers while in the Gambia he went on to amass over 170 career appearances playing for 10 foreign clubs.
In 2003, he was omitted from the Sierra Leone final squad for the 2003 African U-17 Championship in Swaziland, something he describes as the worst moment of his life.
In the championship, Sierra Leone placed second, behind Cameroon, thereby qualifying for the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Finland.
He was fortunate and was called back to the squad for the tenth edition of the U-17 world championship in Finland.
The agile wing-back joined Syrianska with fellow Sierra Leone International Samuel Barlay in December June 2014 signing a new one-year contract.
Suma’s proposed move to Kvik Halden FK fell through and a few days later in the same month, re-signed for Azerbaijan Premier League side Ravan Baku FK.
He is presently in the United States where he is considering ending his playing career.
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by FSL News | 22 Jun, 2016 | African News, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Stars pictured out of AFCON U-17 Qualifiers
Football Sierra Leone UK has been informed by the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) of their withdrawal from the 12th edition of the African Cup of Nations U-17 qualifiers.
The next year’s continental championships slated to be hosted in Madagascar will run from 2 – 16 April 2017.
The Sierra Stars were supposed to face Benin away at the Stade de l’Amitié de Kouhounou, Cotonou this Sunday, June 26, 2016, in the first leg of the U-17 continental qualifiers with return fixture on July 1.
“We pulled out on Monday due to lack of funds and we have already informed CAF and Benin about that..” The Head of SLFA’s media Abubakarr Kamara told www.footballsierraleone.net.
The SLFA could face fine and Sierra Stars face suspension from the 13th edition of U-17 qualifiers.
Sierra Leone joined five other nations that have already withdrawn from the competition; they are Malawi, DR Congo, Liberia, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe.
Benin U-17 side will automatically qualify to the Second Round of the qualifiers following the withdrawal of Sierra Leone.
Madagascar’s 2017 Africa U-17 biennial international youth football tournament is the 12th edition – organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for players aged 17 and below.
Mali won the 2015 tournament for the first time in their history defeating a stubborn South African side, Amajimbos 2-0 in a thrilling final at the Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niamey, Niger.
The top four finalists from the tournament will represent Africa in the 2017 FIFA World Cup in India.
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by FSL News | 18 Jun, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone caretaker coach Tetteh pictured agrees to take a job in Tanzania
Sierra Leone caretaker coach, Sellas Tetteh has agreed to take over and signed a bumper coaching deal in Tanzania, according to several reports.
Football Sierra Leone understands the former Liberty Professionals coach is already in Dares Salam to end talks with the Tanzanian FA in a deal that could make him the highest paid in the country.
However, Ghanaian publications claimed there is an agreement for Tetteh to take the reins at Simba SC a local club in Tanzania instead of the Tanzania national side.
Simba SC is one of the two biggest football clubs in Tanzania, their arch-rivals being the Young Africans.
The Ghanaian who recently guided Sierra Leone men’s squad to a two straight victory in the ongoing 2017 African Nations Cup a qualifiers defeating Gabon and Sudan 1-0 respectively is expected to sign a two-year deal.
Sierra Leone will qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations after 20 years if they defeat Ivory Coast in first week September.
His initial loan deal expired last October after Leone Stars were eliminated in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers by Chad.
The 59-year-old was the architect when Ghana won the 2009 Under-20 World Cup. He was appointed as caretaker coach in Sierra Leone in August 2015.
In Match 2016 the former Rwanda boss left his position as Ghana under-20 manager in order to continue as Sierra Leone caretaker manager.
On 6 September 2011, Tetteh who resigned as Rwanda’s manager was back in charge of Ghana U20 at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
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