by FSL News | 15 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
President Julius Maada Bio has expressed his delight after Sierra Leone qualified to the African Cup of Nations for the first time since 1996.
The ‘tok and do’ president took to Twitter to send a message to the Leone Stars delegation in Guinea.
“Congratulations to Sierra Leone. We are a football-loving nation, and today, our boys have made history. My government is committed to promoting football and other sports disciplines,” he posted on his Twitter account.
Striker Kei Kamara Leone Stars scored the only goal of the match in the first half through the penalty spot as Sierra Leone secured a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1996, following a 1-0 victory over Benin at the Général Lansana Conté de Nongo in Guinea.
The former Minnesota United attacker converted from the spot after 19 minutes as coach John Keister men held on to a famous victory to join the other 23 teams at the finals in Cameroon in January.
In March, the president made a promise to the National team that he would give US$10,000 and parcel of land to each if they beat Benin to reach Cameroon.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 15 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sierra Leone Soccer team Profile
A 19-min spot-kick converted by Sierra Leone striker Kei Kamara was enough as the Leone Stars won the final spot for the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations to be played in Cameroon 9 January – 6 February 2022.
Despite Benin rally late on, the Leone Stars held on for a laudable win as they join the other 23 teams at the finals in Cameroon in January.
Coach John Kiester registered his first win in the qualification men to guide Sierra Leone to the tournament for the first time in 25 years, while Michel Dussuyer’s Benin reached the quarterfinals in the 2019 edition in Egypt were left ruing their missed chance.
The country last participated in the 1996 Nations Cup in South African, where they were defeated by Zambia 4-0 and Algeria 2-0.
They won their only game against Burkina-Faso 2-1 at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, with goals from Sessa 11 and Mohamed Kallon 89 minute.
The crunch encounter, initially billed for Tuesday, March 30, at the National Stadium, Freetown did not take place owing to a Covid-19 controversy.
Following controversy in March, the Confederation of African Football moved the game to June 14 at the General Lansana Conte Stadium, but again the game did not go as planned owing to another Covid controversy.
Coach John Keister, in an exciting mood, briefly told this medium that the win is for every single Sierra Leonean. “I am delighted not for myself but for the country I love and my people.”
by FSL News | 14 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
The Sierra Leone team was doing their pre-match warm-up at the Général Lansana Conté de Nongo in Guinea when their officials received news that six players infected by Covid-19.
As a result of that, the Sierra Leoneans refused to go on with the encounter as they questioned the timing and reliability of the Covid-19 test. After several hours of delays, the decider was rescheduled for Tuesday.
There was a suggestion by CAF for a rapid test to be conducted after initial tests returned six positive results. Somehow, the situation became confusing after the team were misinformed that CAF would only accept the results of a regular test and that the team should head back to the hotel for that.
New PCR tests result are expected before kickoff on Tuesday.
Those allegedly infected with the coronavirus include Peterborough striker Idris Kanu. Kanu, 21, was named in the Sierra Leone squad for the first. He was in line to make his debut from the bench.
The others are goalkeepers Ibrahim Sesay and Francis Koroma, Augustus Kargbo, Alusine Koroma and Kassim Sima Turay.
The match in Guinea was to settle a place at the 24-team Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon next January Benin needing a draw, but their hosts had to win.
It is the second time the Sierra Leone and Benin qualifier has been called off due to alleged fake covid-19 results. The Confederation of African Football has ordered the game to play on Tuesday.
Defending champions Algeria, host Cameroon and record seven-time title-holders Egypt are all amongst the 23 nations already qualified.
Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia and Zimbabwe, have also secured places.
FSL African Football News – Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 14 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sport News
Reports reaching this medium have confirmed Sierra Leone officials are contesting the result of six players who allegedly tested positive for Covid 19 in Guinea.
The news was received when the Sierra Leone team doing a pre-match warm-up at the Général Lansana Conté de Nongo on Monday, 14 June, in Guinea.
Peterborough striker Idris Kanu are among the names alleged to be infected. The 21-year old was expected to make his debut after he was named on the bench. The others are goalkeepers Ibrahim Sesay and Francis Koroma, Augustus Kargbo, Alusine Koroma and Kassim Sima Turay.
As a result, there is a delay due to this new predicament surround the game. The match officials are waiting on the decision from the Confederation of African football.
The match in Guinea was to settle a place at the 24-team Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon next January Benin needing a draw, but their hosts had to win.
It could be recalled, Benin refused to play in Freetown, March 30, claiming to receive their result late before kick-off.
On that occasion, Benin refused to honour the fixture as they accused Sierra Leone of the bad timing of their results. They claimed the timing breach CAf Covid-19 protocols.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 14 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
Sierra Leone first team news for their Cup of Nations decider at the Général Lansana Conté de Nongo on Monday, 14 June, in Guinea. Kick-off 16:00 GMT
Leone Stars coach John Keister has handed LA Galaxy striker Augustine Williams and home-based left wing-back Saidu Mansaray aka Malian, their debut in the decisive game against Benin.
Coach John Keister, who is still searching for his first win in the race to Cameroon 2022, is optimistic.
Heavy-weight Kei Kamara will play as part of the top four, at the same, looking to support the midfield. Anderlecht winger Mustapha Bundu, who socred against Nigeria, will start this after.
In midfield, with the absence of experienced midfielder Mohamed Medo Kamara, John Kamara, who played in the 4-4 draw in Nigeria named in the first team alongside Icelandic-based midfielder Kwame Quee.
Queens Park Rangers Osman Kakay started on the right while English-born duo Sullay Kaikai and Peterborough striker Idris Kanu named on the bench. Both could play some part if selected later on.
FSL African Football News – Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 14 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
Leone Stars coach John Keister is optimistic that Sierra Leone will do well against Benin in their African Cup Of Nations decider this afternoon in Guinea.
Despite missing five of his first-team starters out due to injuries and COVID-19 infection, the coach remains positive with his side.
China-based striker Mohamed Buya Turay, Orebro left-back Kelvin Wright, Mohamed Medo Kamara and East End Lions duo Yeami Dunya Abdul Razak all unavailable.
“We are positive going to the qualifier despite missing out on key starting players, who featured in our last three games in the qualifiers against Nigeria [Home and Away] and Lesotho,” the coach told Fajah Barrie in Guinea.
“I have brought in two replacements in Musa ‘Tombo’ Noah Kamara and Saidu Mansaray, aka Malian, as cover for our predicament. The team is in high spirit and ready to do well. So we’re hoping to make history.”
Sierra Leone destiny in their hands going into their final Group L encounter against Michel Dussuyer’s Squirrels.
Monday’s crunchy decider will the fourth meeting between the two nations in fifteen years.
LA Galaxy striker Augustine Williams, Augustus Kargbo AC Reggiana attacker on loan from Crotone, Sullay Kaikai and Peterborough striker expected to make their Sierra Leone debut.
Sierra Leone or Benin will complete the 24 nations Afcon set for Cameroon 2022 after the final whistle in an empty Général Lansana Conté de Nongo on Monday, 14 June, in Guinea.
Connect with Us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
Sierra Leone | Highlights -