by FSL News | 8 Jun, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
RIP: Sierra Leone Football Association pays tributes to Keshi
Sierra Leone Football Association, SLFA, on Wednesday, paid tribute to the late Nigerian Legend, former Togo and Mali coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.
The Nigeria legend who passed away aged 54 was one of African football’s finest and best-known figures and had three spells in charge of the Super Eagles.
The world is mourning the Super Eagles legend demise. The news was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Association on Wednesday morning.
Former Nigeria captain and Togo’s national team manager Stephen Keshi died from a suspected heart.
The SLFA President Isha Johansen took to twitter to describe the Keshi demise as shock and sad. “Rest in Peace Keshi. Shock and sad loss to African football family.”
On the SLFA’s official Facebook page, she noted: “A great soul has departed, but the memories shall never fade. Your loss is huge, and I can only share your pain. Keep faith and courage. I am sorry for your loss. May his departed soul rest in perfect peace.”
Sierra Leone caretaker Ghanaian coach Sellas Tetteh concurred “You had a distinguished career as a player and as a Coach. You set a lasting landmark discharging your noble duties. You printed your name with excellence everywhere you had the opportunity.
Keshi began his managerial career with Togo in 2004 and would have three stints with the Sparrow Hawks during which he led them to a surprise qualification for the 2006 World Cup. He had a two-year spell with Mali before landing the Super Eagles job in 2011.
During his playing career, Keshi lifted the Nations Cup with the Super Eagles in 1994 and then went on to coach his Nigeria in three spells, which included a last-16 finish in the 2014 World Cup.
After winning 64 Nigeria caps as a central defender between 1981-95, Keshi had three stints in charge of Togo before taking over as Nigeria coach in 2011. He also coached Mali between 2008-10.
He led Nigeria to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating Burkina Faso in the final in South Africa before guiding them to the second round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
During his 20-year playing career, he had spells at Belgian side Anderlecht, plus stints in France, the United States and Malaysia. He won 64 caps for his country at centre-back between 1981 and 1995, scoring nine goals.
Keshi’s contract with Nigeria was not renewed after the 2014 World Cup, despite a strong showing where the Super Eagles lost in the second round to France.
Keshi’s wife Kate passed away last December after a three-year battle with cancer. Keshi is survived by their four children.
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by Admin | 4 Jun, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Video & News
Sheka Fofanah handed Sierra Leone massive victory over Sudan. The Local striker was the hero in Freetown as he helped Leone Stars to a hard fought 1-0 win over Sudan in a Group I, Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Siaka Steven Stadium on Saturday.
Fofanah aka Eto’o only goal in the 65th minutes was the difference between the two sides and strengthened Sierra Leone hold in the race for Gabon 2017.
The win will see Sierra Leone assumed second position behind Ivory Coast in the qualifying group with four point’s one behind the African defending champions.
Soccer fans satisfied with Leone Stars’ display against Sudan, but Leone Stars will now have to win against Ivory Coast in the group’s final match in Abidjan if Gabon 2017 is to be a success.
Sierra Leone caretaker coach Sellas Tetteh recorded his third victory since taking charge of Leone Stars; his first was a 2-1 win against Chad at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium (Port Harcourt) during the World Cup preliminaries second leg October 13, 2015.
Tetteh’s side also defeated Gabon 1-0 in March during the Africa Cup of Nations friendly in Freetown to record their first victory at home soil since the country was declared free of Ebola.
Leone Stars XI: 1. Zombo Morris, 15.Yeami Dunia, 6.Abu Kanu, 18.David Simbo, 17.Umaru ‘Zingalay’ Bangura (Capt), 4.Mohamed ‘Medo’ kamara, 7.Kwami Quee, 13.Alfred ‘Zagalo’ Sankoh, 14.George ‘Kwaku’ Davies, 11.Gibrilla Woobay, 9. Sheka Fofanah Scorer 65′
Subs: 16.Unisa Koroma (GK), 2.Kemson Fofanah, 8.Abdul ‘Buduski’ Sesay, 3. Mohamed L Bangura, 10.Mustapha ‘Hadji’ Bangura, 12.John Bankole Kamara, 5.Ibrahim Teteh Bangura
Sudan XI – Akram, Athar El Tahir, Gaafar, Kamal, Fadasse; AboAgla, Agab, Muhand El Tahir, Nazar Hamid, Karika, Ankaba.
Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers:
Sierra Leone 1-0 Sudan, Tanzania 0-2 Egypt, Burundi 0-2 Senegal, Rwanda 2-3 Mozambique, South Sudan 0-3 Mali
Botswana 1-2 Uganda, Namibia 1-0 Niger, Sao Tome 1-2 Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau 3-2 Zambia
by Admin | 3 Jun, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone caretaker coach Sellas Tetteh remained confident ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Falcons of Sudan on Saturday, saying that his side is capable of defeating their visitors and further reinforce their hold in the group.
Sierra Leone is perched at the bottom of Group I with a single point, that make this tie a must win game against Sudan, one of the three teams that participated in the inaugural Africa Cup of Nations in 1957.
Sierra Leone slumped to a 1-0 defeat in the qualifiers opening match in Khartoum back in June 2015.
The Ghanaian tactician, however, acknowledges that with two matches left to go in the 2017 Gabon qualifying campaign, the Falcons of Sudan are ready to shut down Leone Stars chances.
He passionately told footballsierraleone.net at the team’s camp at Hill Valley hotel: “We cannot move backwards but forward. We are going to pull ourselves together and work towards winning on Saturday. This match is vital to our qualification campaign.
“A game can end up in a draw or loss even when you perform well. However, we are going to make use of our opportunities as a way to shattered the hopes of the Sudanese, if we can do that then we will try our best to win in Cote d Ivoire because in football everything is possible.
Leone Stars Skipper Umaru Bangura concurred, “We are here to get the maximum points against them to enhance our chances in this campaign. I have assessed and spoken with most of my colleagues in the squad and I must confess that they are very much determined to succeed. That’s why I’m very positive even though it’s going to be difficult,”
“We still have a good squad. There are good times and bad times in football, and when things are bad, you need to lift up your heads, carry on working and start afresh,” the Dynamo Minsk defender told www.footballsierraleone.net.
“We are at the bottom of our group. We have some pressure, but I think that the team has enough experience players to handle the two games,” the 28-year-old added.
On the Match in Khartoum
“I and my technical team have corrected the lapses we noticed in the first leg in Sudan, we know is going to a difficult test, having said that this Saturday’s game is a must win game.
“The players did well but I don’t know what went wrong in the last fifteen minutes when we conceded that late penalty goal. That is football.
He maintained that his players were tactically minded and even better than the Sudanese.
Leone Stars Full Squad below:
Keepers: Solomon Zombo Morris (France), Ibrahim Bangura (Central Parade), Idrissa Koroma (East End Lions),
Defenders: David Simbo (Belarus), Umaru ‘Zaingalay’ Bangura (Belarus), Mohamed L. Bangura (Ports Authority FC), Yeami Dunya (FC Johansen), Abu Kanu (Mighty Blackpool), Alie Sesay (England), Kemson Fofanah (East End Lions)
Midfielders: Mohamed ‘Medo’ Kamara (Finland), Hassan ‘Milla’ Sesay (Finland), Alfred ‘Zagalo’ Sankoh (Turkey), John Bankole Kamara (Latvia), Julius Gibrilla Woobay (Slovenia), Kwame Quee (FC Johansen), Ibrahim Sorie Barrie (FC Johansen)
Strikers: Mustapha ‘Hadji’ Bangura (Serbia), Ibrahim Teteh Bangura (Sweden), Alhassan ‘Crespo’ Kamara (Sweden), Abdul Sesay (Finland), George ‘Kweku’ Davies (Germany) Sheka Fofanah (FCFC), Donald Wellington (East End Lions)
Leone Stars and technical team at the Siaka Steven Stadium.
by Admin | 2 Jun, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone national team, Leone Stars has moved up ten places in the latest FIFA ranking released today Thursday, June 2, 2016.
According to the latest monthly rankings released by the world football’s governing body, the Leone Stars who were 118th last month, are now 108 and ranked 29th in Africa.
Sellas Tetteh’s side defeated Gabon 1-0 in March during the Africa Cup of Nations friendly in Freetown to record their first victory since the country was declared free of Ebola.
The victory against Gabon also marked their first win at home since defeating Seychelles 2-0 July 19, 2014.
This Saturday, the Leone Stars will host Sudan in the fifth round of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Sudanese are ranked 128 in the world and 40th in the continent.
In Africa, the Algerians remained the top team and ranked 32nd in the world. Ivory Coast’s Elephants and Ghana Black Stars are second and third in Africa and on number 36th and 37th respectively in the world.
The Argentines remain the top-ranked football team in the world with 1,532 points.
Belgians collected 1,352 points to claim the second position, while third-placed Chileans accumulated 1,348 points. Colombia stands fourth with 1,337 points.
Africa’s first 10:
1. Algeria (Overall rank: 32) 2. Ivory Coast (36) 3. Ghana (37)
4. Senegal (41) 5. Egypt (45) 6. Tunisia (47) 7. Cape Verde Islands (49)
8. Congo DR (52) 9. Guinea (55) 10. Cameroon (58)
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by Admin | 1 Jun, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sports Minister Ahmed Khanou pictured demands Sierra Leone victory
Sierra Leone’s new sports minister Ahmed Khanou has urged the Leone Stars players to give off their best as they prepare to face Sudan in their group I 2017 AFCON qualifier to be played in Freetown on Saturday, June 4, 2016.
Minister Khanou, who was sworn in, replacing controversial former minister Paul Kamara, is targeting the victory that will see Sierra Leone get their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign back on track.
The match will be the third assignment for the Leone Stars this year at home soil since the country was declared of the deadly Ebola Virus.
The team began getting ready for the encounter with a training session at the Brookfields Sports Stadium this week.
Sellas Tetteh’s side needs to win at all costs against the Falcons of Sudan if they are to boost their chances of qualifying for the showpiece in Gabon next year he pointed.
“The players and technical team have to believe in themselves and die a little for the country; we must win and secure a chance to qualify. We expect nothing else than victory,” he told www.footballsierraleone.net.
“We have done everything possible as a government to make the team comfortable and we are working closely with the FA to ensure we have the winning at all cost in Freetown he stressed.
“We must believe that we are going to defeat Sudan here and our last match will be against Cote D Ivoire in September as they are top of the group but we have no thoughts of defeat.”
Sierra Leone are bottom of group I with just a point from two matches excluding the Gabon’s matches.
Sudan are second in the group with two points adrift leaders Ivory Coast who have five points.
Only the winner between Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Sudan will emerge from the group to join Gabon to participate in the 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial international men’s football championship of Africa organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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by Admin | 31 May, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone caretaker coach Sellas Tetteh has been boosted by the arrival of key international players for next week’s Group I Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan slated for Freetown on June 4, 2016.
Ten out of fifteen invited foreign-based players have joined the training camp in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The arrival of familiar faces like John Kamara, David Simbo, Umaru Bangura, Julius Wobay, Alhassan ‘Crespo’ Kamara, Alfred Sankoh, Teteh Bangura, Solomon Zombo Morris, Abdul Sesay and Mohamed Medo Kamara will hand coach Tetteh a better preparation.
This is a massive boost for the side as coach Tetteh will now have the time to prepare his squad and also look at some of the players that he will be coaching for the first time.
Meanwhile, The Falcons of Sudan are expected to arrive in Sierra Leone latest by Thursday with a 29 man delegation.
SLFA’s Director of Competitions Sorie Ibrahim Sesay told www.footballsierraleone.net that the Sudanese will be arriving with a 29 man delegation 20 players and 9 officials Via Kenya Airways, and will have their first training session the same day in the evening hours.
He further pointed that this match is very important to both countries that why early preparation has been done by both countries as an FA Leone stars have started training and they have been moved to camp tonight at the hill valley hotel signal hill.
Sesay further noted that the quartet of Cameroonian referees and Match official from Mali will also be in town on Thursday and they will be housed at the Radisson Blue hotel in Freetown.
Sudan will play Kenya today in a friendly match before heading for Freetown he said.
The game was due to take place in Nairobi last Friday at the Moi International Sports centre Kasarani but Sierra Leone’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations opponent Sudan did not make it to Nairobi on time for kick-off.
The Falcons of Jediane will test against a Kenya side that will also battle Congo Brazzaville on June 5 in Group E, both nations are using the friendly contest as groundwork’s for their AFCON matches this weekend.
They won the 1970 Africa Cup of Nations as host’s using Mustafa Azhari’s help.
After beating Ethiopia 3–0, and a 1–0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire, they secured a place in the semi-final by beating Cameroon 2–1.
They overcame Egypt 2–1 after extra time in the semi-final, and won 1–0 against Ghana in the final to become African Champions.
Sudan is one of the oldest teams in Africa and has a rich history in the past 50s to 70s. They went as high as 74 in the FIFA rankings.
Sudan was the only East African team to qualify for the African Cup of Nations 2012.
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