Sierra Leone wrap up first training session in Guinea

Sierra Leone wrap up first training session in Guinea

by | 13 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Coach John Keister’s squad wrapped up its first training session ahead of Monday decider in an empty Général Lansana Conté de Nongo on Monday, 14 June, in Guinea.

Sierra Leone first training session was held at the Stade Du Septembre 28 in Conakry, Guinea, on Sunday.

Their final training session will be held at the Stade De General Lansana Conte Nongo between 5 to 6 PM on Sunday evening.

Monday’s crunchy decider will the fourth meeting between the two nations in fifteen years.

In the last three meetings – they have defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 in 2006 at home, 2-0 in 2007 in Freetown, and a 1-0 win in November 2019.

 
Group L – Following a last-gasp winner, Nigeria qualified and Lesotho out of the race.
Sierra Leone technical team and skipper Umaru Bangura, Kwame Quee

Sierra Leone technical team and skipper Umaru Bangura, Kwame Quee

Benin (7 points) and Sierra Leone (4) both in the race. They go to war on Monday in Guinea.

A draw sees Benin through, while Sierra Leone needs a win to qualify.

John Keister is satisfied with his team’s preparedness for this encounter. “We have had a week to prepare, brought around a group of youthful players. We are comfortable to go into the match tomorrow.”

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Sierra Leone, Benin to play behind closed doors

Sierra Leone, Benin to play behind closed doors

by | 12 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sport News

Guinean Football Federation has turned down Sierra Leone Football Association request to accept 30% of fans for Monday crucial decider.

The SLFA made their request through the Confederation of African Football. However, the GFF in a communique has confirmed that the match will be played with no spectators.

As a result, the final 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match will be played in an empty Général Lansana Conté de Nongo on Monday, 14 June, in Guinea.

Meanwhile, Tunisian referee Haythem Guirat will take charge of the crucial decider. The experience FIFA referee will be aided by Faouzi Jridi (Assistant I), Youssef Jemmi (Assistant 2), and Mehrez Melki (Fourth Official).

Meanwhile, The Match Commissioner is a Ghanaian Munkaila Nassam Adam.

Guinean Mohamed Bangoura is the new Match Covid-19 officer replacing Songor Koedoyoma from Sierra Leone whilst Liberia G Andy Quamie remains the CAF Security Officer.

Apart from Mohamed Bangoura, all of the other officials were in Sierra Leone on March 30 during the first covid-19 disagreement that led to rearrangement.

Coach Keister with a huge task to break the Sierra Leone African Cup of Nation jinx. The Leone Stars last out in the continental showpiece was back in 1996 in South Africa when they beat Burkina Faso 2-1 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein.

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.

Sierra Leone or Benin will complete the 24 nations Afcon set for Cameroon 2022.

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Tunisian Haythem Guirat to handle S/Leone, Benin cracker

Tunisian Haythem Guirat to handle S/Leone, Benin cracker

by | 11 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sport News

Tunisian referee Haythem Guirat will take charge of the crucial decider between Sierra Leone and Benin, to be played on Monday, June 14, at the Stade Général Lansana Conté de Nongo, Guinea.

Guirat will be assisted by his compatriots in a game set to be watched by the entire Africa.

The experience FIFA referee will be aided by Faouzi Jridi (Assistant I), Youssef Jemmi (Assistant 2), and Mehrez Melki (Fourth Official).

Meanwhile, The Match Commissioner is a Ghanaian Munkaila Nassam Adam.

Guinean Mohamed Bangoura is the new Match Covid-19 officer replacing Songor Koedoyoma from Sierra Leone whilst Liberia G Andy Quamie remains the CAF Security Officer.

Apart from Mohamed Bangoura, all of the other officials were in Sierra Leone on March 30 during the first covid-19 disagreement that led to rearrangement.

The winner between Sierra Leone and Benin will complete the 24 nations Afcon set for Cameroon 2022.

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Guinea to host Sierra Leone, Benin Cup of Nations decider 

Guinea to host Sierra Leone, Benin Cup of Nations decider 

by | 10 Jun, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

This month’s 2021 African Cup of Nations final qualification between Sierra Leone and Benin has been moved to Guinea.

The match is set to be played on Monday, June 14, at the Stade Général Lansana Conté de Nongo.

Initially, the tie was set to take place in Sierra Leone on March 30 but was postponed by the Confederation of African Football due to the Covid-19 controversy.

Benin accused their hosts of deception and foul play. However, after the CAF intervention, the June date was announced.

“The committee made this decision after reviewing official accounts of the incidents that stopped the match from taking place at the scheduled time,” CAF said in a statement.

The SLFA appeal against the CAF decision to rescheduled but failed in their protest. Benin, on the other hand, took their case to CAS again the decision was upheld. 

Last month, Caf ordered a full inspection of Sierra Leone main international venue, the Siaka Stevens Stadium, before deciding whether it is fit to host the rescheduled match against Benin. 

Report coming from the Sierra Leone Football Association has indicated that the match has been moved to neighbouring Guinea due to the poor state of the Freetown stadium. 

Coach Keister must now rally his troops to win regardless of the venue to reach the tournament for the first time in 25 years. Benin needed only a draw. Only one team will join the already 23 qualified nations to compete in next year’s finals in Cameroon.

Expected foreign-based players for Benin.

Defenders

(Osman Kakay QPR England), (Umaru Bangura Neuchâtel Xamax doubtful)

Midfielders

(Mohamed Medo Kamara unattached), (John Kamara Keshla FC), (Kwame Quee Víkingur Reykjavík) and (Alusine Koroma Real Balompédica Linense Spain)

Attackers

(Kei Kamara unattached), (Alhassan Koroma Real Balompédica Linense Spain), (Alhaji Kamara Randers FC, Danmark), (Augustus Kargbo A.C. Reggiana 1919 on loan from Crotone Italy), (Augustine Williams LA Galaxy MSL), (Mustapha Bundu Anderlecth Belgium) and (Sullay Kaikai unattached)

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Sullay Kaikai, Idris Kanu to join Sierra Leone squad for Benin qualifier

Sullay Kaikai, Idris Kanu to join Sierra Leone squad for Benin qualifier

by | 8 Jun, 2021 | African News, Sport News

Sullay Kaikai and Peterborough striker Idriss Kanu both expected to arrive in Freetown this evening to join Leone Stars preparation, Football Sierra Leone understands.

Sierra Leone will take on Benin in their final African Cup of Nations qualifier expected this month. Both on transit in Belgium alongside Queens Park Rangers defender Osman Kakay.

It’s the first time both will be representing Sierra Leone if selected in coach John Keister final selection for this month African Cup of Nations qualifier.

Kaikai, 25, play an important role under Neil Critchley in their Championship promotion campaign this season. Kaikai, a 2019 signing from Dutch side NAC Breda, scored 13 times in 68 appearances for Blackpool.

Kanu, 21, also helped Peterborough win promotion out of League One at the end of the 2020–21 season. The Posh promoted back to the Championship, finishing runners-up after an eight-year stay in League One.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football have communicated the postponement of the AFCON draw.

The draw was initially scheduled for 25 June 2021, but a new date will confirm in due course.

Sierra Leone must win to reach the tournament for the first time in 25 years. Benin needed only a draw.

Sierra Leone or Benin will complete the 24 nations Afcon set for Cameroon 2022.

  • Foreign-based listed already in Freetown in Coach Keister side

Alhaji Kamara (Striker Randers FC Danmark)

Augustus Kargbo (Striker A.C. Reggiana 1919 on loan from F.C. Crotone Italy)

Agustine Williams – (Striker LA Galaxy MSL)

Mustapha Bundu (Attacker Anderlecth Belgium)

Expected

John Kamara (Defensive midfielder Keshla FC)

Kwame Quee (Winger Víkingur Reykjavík)

Alusine Koroma (Attacking Midfielder Real Balompédica Linense Spain)

Alhassan Koroma (Winger Real Balompédica Linense Spain)

Christian Moses ( Linköping City)

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First Pro USL League One roster spot for Rodney Michael

First Pro USL League One roster spot for Rodney Michael

by | 7 Jun, 2021 | Players Abroad News, Sport News

South Georgia Tormenta FC has handed Sierra Leone youth international Rodney Michael his first professional USL League One roster spot.

He impressed Tormenta FC 2 coaching staff, proving he’s ready for professional football.

The attacking talent who was named Tormenta FC 2 Player of the Month for May, helped the team rise to the top of the Deep South Division standings.

He scored five goals scored, including two braces, over five matches with Tormenta FC 2 and has earned League Two Goal of the Week honours and a No. 10 spot in the inaugural League Two top prospects list.

During his three seasons at the University of California Santa Barbara, he scored 23 goals and recorded 15 assists in 58 starts. In 2019, Michael helped UC Santa Barbara advance to the NCAA Soccer Quarterfinal Championships.

He was part of the Sierra Leone U20 side during the doubleheader of the African Cup of Nations U20 2019 qualifiers against Guinea Bissau.

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