by FSL News | 26 Mar, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
- Sierra Leone held their first training session in Maseru, Lesotho, ahead of the crunchy 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho on Saturday.
The Leone Stars arrived safely in Lesotho on Thursday for the penultimate Group L cracker at the Setsoso Stadium.
John Keister was seen distributing instructions in his first training session as he works on the final touches for Saturday.
Photos of the first training in Lesotho Credit SLFA
Coach John Keister in action
Rodney Strasser in training with Leone Stars
Homebased Keepers (3) Mohamed Kamara East End Lions, Unisa Conteh FC Johansen and Abdul Bundu Bo Rangers with trainer Tamba Moses
by FSL News | 26 Mar, 2021 | African News, Sport News
Record seven-time champions Egypt minnows Comoros and the Gambia were among five teams, who qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea could join them later.
Egypt drew 1-1 with 10-man Kenya in Nairobi, where an early Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdy goal for the visitors was cancelled out by Hassan Abdallah in the second half.
The other qualifiers from Group G are the Comoros, who will make them the first appearance at the tournament despite being held 0-0 by Togo in Moroni.The
The Gambia will also go to the Cup of Nations for the first time next January after an Assan Ceesay goal earned a 1-0 win over Angola in Bakau.
They will be joined from Group D by Gabon, with Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang among the scorers as they trounced the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 in Franceville.
Ghana will be one of the Group C qualifiers after a weakened side drew 1-1 with South Africa in Soweto, where a Mohammed Kudus goal for the West Africans was responded to by Percy Tau.
Later Thursday, Zimbabwe will secure a place if they win in Botswana and Zambia do not collect maximum points from a home match against already-qualified Algeria.
Equatorial Guinea is another nation on the verge of qualifying — a home win over Tanzania in Malabo will assure them of a third appearance.
Ahead of the Thursday matches, defending champions Algeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Tunisia and hosts Cameroon had booked places.
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by FSL News | 24 Mar, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
- Sierra Leone last away triumph was in 2002 when they defeat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 during the 2004 Afcon qualifiers.
- Coach John Keister’s team must-win if they are to toughen their grasp in the race to Cameroon 2022.
- They were impressive against the Super Eagles of Nigeria following an eight-goal thriller at the Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City last November.
Sierra Leone will commence a 3734 miles journey to Maseru, Lesotho, on Wednesday in their hunt to break a 26-year Africa Cup of Nations drought.
Group L third-placed side will depart Freetown en route to famous Bloemfontein, one of South Africa’s capital, on their way to Lesotho’s capital Maseru, to honour their match day five fixture on 27 March against the Likuena at the Setsoto Stadium in Lesotho.
- Bloemfontein is a familiar city to Sierra Leoneans
Twenty-five years ago, Leone Stars won their only Afcon match with a 2-1 win over Burkina-Faso at the Free State Stadium goals from Idol Mohamed Kallon and John Gbassay Sesay.
In the same stadium, they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Algeria and 4-0 to Zambia during their second appearance in the 20th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
As the saying goes, if you fail to prepare, you are prepared to fail as proper planning is fundamental to success. Burkina-Faso, since 1996, have gone on to host the 1998 21st edition of the Africa Cup Nations, where they ended up as the fourth-best side, plus eight more appearances at the biggest stage of continental football.
In the 2017 competition, they were the third-best side, whereas Sierra Leone, one of the nations to have inflicted pain at the Burkinabe’s still in the hunt for their third Afcon appearance.
However, in a few days’ time, all that could change as the destiny of the West African nation now in their hands.
Coach Keister’s is optimistic that he has the experienced to drive his side to the finishing line.
“I am optimistic because there is a lot of experience and youth in the squad, so I am looking forward to it,” he vehemently told FSL UK.
“Sierra Leoneans just need to keep supporting, and that will help the players in their application and drive.”
Lesotho coach Thabo Senong, on the other hand, has said he does not think there is pressure towards him and the team. He said they prioritise performance because if they perform well, automatically there will be results and that they have to minimise mistakes while staying focused.
It is expected to be a cracker in Group L with Nigeria taking on Benin away at the Charles de Gaulle Stadium. A win for Benin on Saturday will ensure their ticket for only the fifth time and a consecutive one after 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2019 editions.
- The Experience in Sierra Leone side
Experienced MLS striker Kei Kamara, former Bolton Midfielder, Mohamed Medo Kamara, former Milan midfielder Rodney Strasser are amongst the names of players that could help their beloved Sierra Leone cross the finishing line against Lesotho and Benin.
Victory against Lesotho and Benin will mean jubilation nationwide as Leone Stars will be making a third appearance in Afcon finals in Cameroon 2022.
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by FSL News | 23 Mar, 2021 | African News, Sport News
- Lesotho senior national team head coach Thabo Senong says his side is under no pressure ahead of ties against Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
- The South African nation sharing the same national flag colours with Sierra Leone ranked 27 places below their West African opponent.
But after guiding his side to a 1-1 draw in Freetown during the qualifiers opener in November 2019, he has set sight on his first win against Sierra Leone on Saturday at Setsoto Stadium.
The South African technician, who was speaking after naming his final 21-man squad, believed only a good performance ensure a good result.
According to News4U, Senong said he does not think there is pressure towards him and the team. He said they prioritise performance because if they perform well, automatically there will be results and that they have to minimise mistakes while staying focused.
He will face Sierra Leone and Nigeria without international players like Lesia Thetsane, Thabiso Brown, Luciano Matsoso and Tshwarelo Bereng.
Lisema Lebokollane and Jane Thabants’o ruled out of the games with injuries as Thabiso Brown faced challenges flying out of South America and has had to go back to Bolivia.
Nigeria top of Group L table with eight points, Benin on seven, Sierra Leone third with three and Lesotho on two points in the race to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Likuena final squad for Sierra Leone & Nigeria games
Goalkeepers
Monaheng Ramalefane, Sekhoane Moerane, Ntsane Lichaba.
Defenders
Thabang Malane, Thabo Lesaoana, Basia Makepe, Motlomelo Mkhwanazi, Nkau Lerotholi, Bokang Sello, Thabo Mats’oele.
Midfielders
Tau Masiu, Tumelo Ngatane, Hlompho Kalake, Mokoteli Mohapi, Neo Mokhachane, Lits’epe Marabe, Tsepo Toloane, Lehlohonolo Fothoane.
Striker
Motebang Sera, Tumelo Khutlang, Nkoto Masoabi.
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by FSL News | 22 Mar, 2021 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
Sierra Leone coach John Keister has summoned 14 foreign-based players for the African Cup of Nations back-to-back qualifiers against Lesotho on March 27 at the Sesotho Stadium before taking on Benin days later in Freetown.
Coach Keister has maintained the bulk of the selected players against Nigeria from matchday three and four.
Alhassan and Alusine Koroma, 20, both playing their professional football in Spain Segunda División B with Real Balompédica Linense, have been invited to the nail-biting ties this month.
Marampa Stars twin brothers will be hoping to combine, if selected, in a bid to help their country in the race to Cameroon 2022.
They were part of the Sierra Leone side in the Iran friendly in Tehran on March 17 2018. In 2019, the brothers were in the East End Lions unbeaten side won the Sierra Leone Premier League.
Meanwhile, the overseas-based include four unattached experienced players. Three were part of the Nigeria doubleheader back in November.
Turkey-based defender David Simbo, who has been in town working on his fitness, made the cut. His last outing was against Ethiopia at the Hawassa stadium.
FC Linköping City attacker Christian Moses, who was part of the Sierra Leone side in defeat to Ethiopia during the 2018 qualifiers, is expected to join the squad.
He made his debut for Sierra Leone on 6 September 2015 in a 0–0 draw with Ivory Coast.
Nigeria leads the Group L table with eight points, Benin on seven, Sierra Leone third with three and Lesotho on two points in the race to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
- Sierra Leone expected Squad List for Lesotho and Benin
Homebased Keepers (3)
Mohamed Kamara East End Lions, Unisa Conteh FC Johansen and Abdul Bundu Bo Rangers.
Defenders (6)
Umaru Bangura (Xamax FC Switzerland), Kevin Wright Orebro SK Sweden, David Simbo unattached, Abu Bakaarr Samura FC Kallon (Homebased), Yeami Dunia East End Lions (Homebased), and Lamin Conteh (Home-based).
Midfielders (10)
Mohamed Medo Kamara unattached, Rodney Strasser unattached, John Kamara (Keshla FK Azerbaijan), Kwame Quee (Vikingur Reykjavik Iceland), George Davies (SKN Polten Austria), Alusine Koroma (Real Balompédica Linense Spain), Saidu Fofanah (FC Kallon Homebased), Masalakie Bangura (FC Kallon Homebased), Abu Dumbuya (Homebased), Alpha Kamara EE Lions (Homebased)
Attackers (6)
Alhassan Koroma (Real Balompédica Linense Spain), Kei Kamara unattached, Mohamed Buya Turay (Hebei Fortune China), Alhaji Kamara (Randers FC Denmark), Prince Barrie Bo Rangers (Homebased), and Christian Moses FC Linköping City Sweden.
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by FSL News | 21 Mar, 2021 | African News, Sport News
The Leone Stars’ dramatic comeback against the Super Eagles of Nigeria was nothing short of remarkable. The game was played on 13th November 2020 in Benin City, Nigeria and with the Super Eagles 4-0 up after just 30 minutes, many Sierra Leoneans were left fearful of an impending historic thrashing, only for Leone Stars to launch an astonishing fightback to draw the game 4-4. That result, and the 0-0 draw in the return leg in Freetown, have significantly increased expectations among the fans that Leone Stars will qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
With games against Lesotho and Benin still to come, here are four reasons why Sierra Leoneans should not get carried away as this team is still a work in progress:
With four games played and only two matches remaining, the Leone Stars are yet to win a single game in the qualifying round. We even failed to beat Lesotho in Freetown and they were expected to be the whipping boys in our group. The Southern Africans could be confident of getting a result when they host Leone Stars on 27th March 2021. We need to significantly improve our away form if we are to get a positive result in Lesotho.
- One Clean-Sheet in four games
In four games played so far, we have only managed a solitary clean sheet, and surprisingly it was against Nigeria in Freetown. We have conceded six goals already and scored five. Throughout the qualifying campaign so far, our defence has been average, to say the least. While we kept a clean sheet in our last game, we may need a similar performance in the coming games.
- The presence of Michel Dussuyer’s and the form of Benin
Benin’s French coach is no stranger to African football. He led the Syli Nationale of Guinea to the quarterfinal of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations which was their best result in 30 years. He also led Guinea to yet another quarterfinal appearance at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Despite having an unsuccessful spell managing the Ivory Coast, Benin appears to have benefited from his experience and knowledge of African football. His Benin team has only lost one game, and that was against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. In addition, his Benin team has kept three clean sheets in four games, and only Nigeria has scored against them. They could pose a significant problem to our hopes of qualifying as they’re currently just a point behind Nigeria in the group.
- Growing distractions off the field
The recent issues involving the SLFA nomination process for the forthcoming election could also have an impact on the national team. Chaos and Sierra Leone football appear to be two sides of the same coin. The nation went several years without a national football league, as football’s administration was beset by infighting and chaos, and tensions are rising yet again. We have not presented a united front for several years, and this could have an impact on the minds of the players. As Sierra Leoneans, we should offer our unflinching support to the national team but must not exert excessive pressure on the players. Should we fail to qualify for the Cup of Nations, we must pick up the pieces, dust ourselves and prepare to try again with a united front as the saying goes: ‘the table does not lie.’
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -