by FSL News | 13 May, 2021 | African News, Sport News
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will face everlasting foes, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, in a classic international friendly next month.
This comes after both nations opted to stay active regardless of CAF’s decision to push forward the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers from the June FIFA window to September 2021.
The old-age foes fold will have to fold their sleeves for another round of bare-knuckled battle when they clash in Austria next month.
It will be the first meeting between the West African neighbours since that nail-biting five-goal thriller in July 2019 which handed Nigeria an AFCON quarter-final berth after winning by an odd goal.
Both nations have met 23 times with Nigeria the most successful in their meetings as they have won 12 times and lost only four of those games, with the rest ending up in draws.
The first official meeting between the two sides was back in 1960 in an international friendly that ended in a barren draw.
The upcoming meeting is an opportunity for coach Gernot Rohr of Nigeria and Antonio Conceição to have more details about their teams ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.
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by FSL News | 12 May, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has ordered a full inspection of Sierra Leone’s main international venue, the Siaka Stevens Stadium, before deciding whether it is fit to host a rescheduled match against Benin.
The Leone Stars eagerly anticipated Group L 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier was called off ahead of kick-off on March 30 owing to a Covid-19 controversy.
SLFA’s Club’s Licence manager Sorie Ibrahim Sesay must compile a field inspection report, including photos and video evidence, to CAF not later than Thursday 13th, May 2021.
Caf will then decide on the approval of the Stadium and location of the final Africa Cup of Nations 2021 qualifier after receiving the reports.
Meanwhile, the SLFA has accepted CAF’s decision to play to end any Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) speculations.
The SLFA proposed the following dates for the Leone Stars decider 12th, 13th or 14th June 2021 in Freetown.
The proposed dates and venue subject to the African football body approval.
Benin only needs a draw whilst Sierra Leone must win to qualify at Benin’s expense to be sure of qualification to the Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon in 2022.
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by FSL News | 10 May, 2021 | Players Abroad News, Sport News
Coventry City striker Amadou Bakayoko has confirmed his departure this summer in an emotional farewell message.
Bakayoko, who joined the Sky Blues in August 2018 on a two-year, confirmed his stay, will not be extending at the club.
The 25-year-old Sierra Leone native took to Twitter to announced his exit.
“After three unforgettable years, today I say goodbye to a magnificent club Coventry City,” he posted on Twitter.
“Would like to thank everyone from staff, players and most importantly the #SBA supporters who have welcomed me in and created unforgettable memories with, starting from Charlton away to a classic Sunderland away performance, topped off with promotion to (the) Championship.
“Would only have wished to leave with a full stadium chanting 20 goals for the last time.
“Been through the good and bad but still stood by my side, which I will always appreciate.
“It’s been a real honour to wear the Coventry shirt. I wish the club plenty more success (in) the coming years.”
The attacker was not involved in their 6-1 win against Millwall as Coventry finished their Championship campaign in 16th place at the weekend.
He featured 18 games in all competition this season, almost exclusively from the bench, as he failed to register a goal or assist.
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by FSL News | 9 May, 2021 | African News, Sport News
FIFA has confirmed the postponement of the Qatar 2022 African World Cup qualifiers, which were due to take place in June.
FIFA noted that the decision is in conjunction with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The postponement was reportedly made due to the need to ensure optimal playing conditions for all teams.
“Taking into consideration the current disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to ensure optimal playing conditions for all teams, it has been decided to postpone the African qualifiers for the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 that were due to be played in June 2021,” football’s world governing body posted on its website.
The qualifiers are now scheduled to take place in existing windows during September, October and November in 2021, as well as March in 2022.
A total of 40 African nations are bidding for one of five places for the continent at the finals in Qatar.
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by FSL News | 8 May, 2021 | Players Abroad News, Sport News
Abu Bakarr Kargbo made his return from injury in the remaining 20-minute in their 3-0 defeat to SV 07 Elversberg on Saturday, after missing the last eight months with a knee operation.
The 28-year-old, who suffered from cruciate ligament damage during a training session in August 2020, was introduced in the 70th-min to replace Mathias Fetsch.
Kickers Offenbach suffered their first defeat this month away from home. A defeat that has weakened their grip in the race for automatic promotion of the Regionalliga Südwest.
The former German U-19 striker was born in Sierra Leone but raised in Germany, where he played for the youth U15, U17, and U19 sides.
Kargbo scored over 30 goals in 57 appearances over two seasons with Berliner AK 07.
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by FSL News | 7 May, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has nudged Sierra Leone to bid for the African Cup of Nations.
Speaking during a few hours visit to the country, alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino and General Secretary Fatma Samoura, Motsepe floated the idea during a courtesy call to the country’s president Julius Maada Bio at the State Lodge.
Motsepe said: “CAF and FIFA are committed to supporting Sierra Leone with the requisite infrastructure to host the African Cup of Nations in the not-too-distant future.”
Sierra Leone has only one internationally recognised stadium that is over four decades old. The Siaka Stevens stadium was built in 1979 with the help of the Chinese government. Other venues across the country. In Bo, Kenema and Makeni have been undergoing rehabilitation in recent years, some through Fifa assistance.
The next Cup of Nations will be hosted in Cameroon, and the subsequent two will be in West Africa in Ivory Coast and Guinea.
If Sierra Leone are to successfully bid for 2027 Afcon, it will be the third country in a row from West Africa to host the continental showpiece.
Hosting the Afcon will be a massive socio-economic boost for a country that was devastated by a decade long bloody civil war which started in March 1991.
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