Sierra  Leone to open Afcon against defending Champions Algeria

Sierra Leone to open Afcon against defending Champions Algeria

Sierra Leone will have a lot to chew after the Afcon 2021 draw pits the Leone stars against two former champions and a host. 

Making its third appearance, Sierra Leone will open its first campaign in 26 years against titleholders Algeria on January 11 at the Japoma Stadium in Douala. 

Five days later, Sierra Leone takes on the elephant of the Ivory Coast at the same venue. The Leone Stars will be up against Equatorial Guinea in their final game at the Omnisport Stadium in Limbe. 

The West African nation will go up against Algeria, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea in Group E for two automatic places to the round of 16. 

The draw was conducted at Yaounde Conference Centre on Tuesday. The 24 participating teams were divided into six groups of four teams each. 

In Tunisia 1994, the elephant of Ivory Coast walloped Sierra Leone 4-0 on 27 March in Sousse whilst Algeria defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 in 1996 Afcon at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein in South Africa. 

This will be the first meeting between Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone in a continental showpiece. However, the two nations have played each other six times, with the West African Nations won 3-2 during a FIFA World Cup qualifier on 7 September 2013. 

Although the tournament is delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 24 team Afcon 2021 competition gets underway in less than five months. The 33rd CAF African Cup of Nations (AFCON), taking place from the 9th January to the 6th February 2022 in Cameroon. 

Meanwhile, five-time Africa Cup of Nations winners Cameroon will open the tournament against Burkina Faso, runners-up of 2013 AFCON. 

Sierra Leone Group E Matches

11 January 2022

Algeria Vs Sierra Leone
Japoma stadium, Douala
13:00GMT

16 January 2022

Ivory Coast Vs Sierra Leone
Japoma stadium, Douala
16:00GMT

20 January 2022

Sierra Leone Vs Equatorial Guinea
Limbé stadium, Limbé
16:00GMT

The Full Draw

Group A: Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Cape Verde

Group B: Senegal, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Malawi

Group C: Morocco, Ghana, Comoros, Gabon

Group D: Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau

Group E: Algeria, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast

Group F: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Gambia

Road to Final

  • Group stage: from January 9 to 20, 2022
  • Round of 16: January 23-26, 2022
  • Quarter-finals: January 29 and 30, 2022
  • Semi-finals: February 2 and 3, 2022
  • Third Place match and Final: February 6, 2022

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VFB Stuttgart youngster Mohamed Sankoh set for knee surgery

VFB Stuttgart youngster Mohamed Sankoh set for knee surgery

Sierra Leone native Mohamed Sankoh suffered a severe knee injury on his VfB Stuttgart debut on Saturday. As a result, the 17-year-old attacker has to undergo an operation.

Sankoh, who was introduced in the 65th to bookmarked his first senior appearance, unfortunately, damaged his knee in their 5-1 win over Greuther Fürth after colliding with the visiting keeper Sascha Burchert.

The Dutch/Sierra Leonean youngster was forced off with a knee problem shortly after his introduction.

“Mohamed Sankoh sustained a serious knee injury involving the capsule and ligament apparatus in VfB’s Bundesliga match against Greuther Fürth. The 17-year-old attacker will be operated on in the coming days and will not be available to VfB in the coming months,” they said in a statement.

VfB sports director Sven Mislintat offered words of courage. He said, “Unfortunately, the detailed investigations have confirmed the initial fears. This is a heavy blow for all of us, especially of course for Mo Sankoh. Mo did a great preparation and was on the right track overall. Now he has a difficult time ahead of him, in which we will support him in any way.”

He joined the German top tier side from Stoke City on a five-year deal in August 2020.

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Despite their convincing win, the mood was a bit clouded in the end: Mohamed Sankoh had to be replaced after a collision.
(Photo: www.imago-images.de/Pressefoto Baumann)
Sweden-born Morsay open to Sierra Leone call up

Sweden-born Morsay open to Sierra Leone call up

Greek top-tier side Panetolikos’ new acquisition Jonathan Morsay says it will be an ample opportunity to represent the Green, White and Blue of Sierra Leone.

The Swedish-born, hailing from a Sierra Leonean parent, set for a new adventure in Greece after signing a two deal with his new side.

Last season, he played with Romanian Liga I side Dinamo București, on loan from Chievo Verona. He featured in 16 games for Bucureşti and scored two goals.

When asked about representing Sierra Leone, he said: “Yes, It is a big opportunity for me. But at present, my focus is starting well for my club,” Morsay told FSL News.

“I am looking forward to playing in the Greek Superleague as I am excited to start. We are starting the new season at home against Asteras Tripolis on the 21 August, and I hope I have done enough to make my debut.”

Born in SundsvallSweden, Morsay has had spells with GIF Sundsvall IK BrageChieve and Dinamo București. The winger will be a great addition to the Sierra Leone national side.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net

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Chalobah, 22, smashed home their third from 25 yards on his Premier League debut in front of a noisy Stamford Bridge.

“He scored a fantastic goal, and we are all so happy for him. It’s amazing how these things work out in football. It was very enjoyable and well-deserved,” Tuchel on Chalobah.

CHAMPIONSHIP. MATCHDAY 2

Queens Park Rangers enjoyed a 3-0 away Sky Bet Championship triumph at the MKM Stadium as goals from Chris Willock, Lyndon Dykes and Rob Dickie completed a comprehensive Mark Warburton’s first win of the season.

  • Right-back Fankaty Dabo was in action in 1-0 defeat to Barnsley as the home side welcomed their fans back to Oakwell with a home win over Coventry City. Dominik Frieser scored the only goal of the game.
  • Sierra Leonean natives Sorba Thomas and Josh Koroma were in action as Fulham thrashed Huddersfield 5-1 to move top of the early season Championship table.

League One

  • Wycombe Wanderers registered a back to back in their opening two English League One matches of the new season.

Wycombe defeated Cheltenham Town 3-1 with a goal from Sam Vokes and a brace for Oliver Pendlebury. 

Sullay Kaikai started his first for the club from the right wing-back while Anis Mehmeti lined up behind Sam Vokes.

The Sierra Leone winger played 74th minute of the contest before he was subbed off. 

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Sierra Leone have been seeded in Pot three ahead of the draw for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations draw set for Yaounde Conference Centre on the 17th of August 2021.

The draw will see the 24 participating teams divided into six groups of four teams each.

The four pots representing the teams will be labelled pots 1 to 4. The six pots representing the groups will be labelled groups A to F.

The 24 qualified teams have been seeded based on their recent FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking last Thursday, August 12 2021.

Cameroon as host will be pre-assigned to position A1. The remaining five teams in Pot One will automatically be drawn into position 1 of each group (B to F). The same procedure will be as follows for ed for the remaining pots.

African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.

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Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net