Senegal fight back to earn Wafu U20 draw against Sierra Leone

Senegal fight back to earn Wafu U20 draw against Sierra Leone

by | 20 Nov, 2020 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

  • Both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils after a 1-1 draw in Senegal.

Hosts and holders Senegal came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Sierra Leone in their West African Football Union, WAFU opening Group A tie at the stade Lat-Dior in Thies, Senegal on Friday.

Sierra Leone’s Abu Kommeh scored in the 55th-minute from a tape in, but the Senegalese rallied a goal down to level the scoreline in the 67th minutes from Samba Diallo.

The last time the two sides met in December 2019, the Senegalese walloped Shooting Stars 4-1 in the 2019 opener in Guinea.

To be safe, Shooting Stars must win in their next game against the Gambians scorpions on the 24th to ensure a quarter-final spot.

Meanwhile, in group B, Mali takes on Guinea Bissau in the early kickoff while Guinea entertains Mauritania at the same venue on Saturday respectively.

 

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Shooting Stars set for holders Senegal in Wafu U20 opener

Shooting Stars set for holders Senegal in Wafu U20 opener

by | 20 Nov, 2020 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Soccer team Profile

  • Sierra Leone U20 head coach Abu Bakarr Tostao will be aiming his Shooting Stars’ side put on a good show when they take on holders Senegal this afternoon in the (Wafu) Zone A Under-20 Championship at the Stade Lat-Dior de Thies, Senegal. 
  • The last time Shooting Stars participated in the West African Football Union (WAFU), they ended up as the fourth-best team defeating host Guinea 3-2 en-route to the semis.
  • Shooting Stars next game will be against Gambia’s young scorpions on November 24, with Liberia not showing. The top two from the group will advance to the quarter-final.

Shooting Stars were defeated by the Gambia 8-7 on penalties after a goalless 90th minute of good youth football action at the September 28 stadium in Conakry Guinea in December 2019.

Senegal will host the regional qualifiers from 20 – 29 November in Thiés, almost 90 kms east to capital Dakar.

Sierra Leone was drawn in group A alongside host Senegal and The Gambia the other group comprises of Mali – Guinea-Bissau – Guinea – Mauritania.

All named nations will battle for the trophy at the Stade Lat Dior in Thiés.

The winner will qualify for the AFCON U20 final phase in Mauritania next year.

Full Draw

Group A: Senegal – Sierra Leone – The Gambia

Group B: Mali – Guinea-Bissau – Guinea – Mauritania

 

Link to watch the match live on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RTS1.Senegal/videos/672669786779793/

 

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AFCON: Algeria, Senegal, Tunisia & Mali join Cameroon

AFCON: Algeria, Senegal, Tunisia & Mali join Cameroon

by | 20 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News

  • Four nations have joined Cameroon for the 2021 Total Africa Cup of Nations final next year after Tuesday (17 November 2020) qualifiers were concluded.
 
The 33rd edition is slated for January and February 2022.
 
Holders Algeria, 2019 runners up Senegal, Tunisia, and Mali all booked their place in the next edition of the continental showpiece with two matchdays to spare.
 
Cameroon who had already qualified as host used the qualifiers to better prepare for the finals proper. They are currently topping their group with 10 points after four playing days.
 
Meanwhile, Chad, Sao Tome and Principe, Togo and Eswatini can no longer qualify to the finals.
 
24 matches were played over the 12 groups with eight wins for the home sides, nine draws, and seven away victories.
 
A total of 46 goals scored (1.9 goals per game).
Source: CAFOnline 

AFCONQ: Sierra Leone and Nigeria share spoils in Freetown

AFCONQ: Sierra Leone and Nigeria share spoils in Freetown

by | 17 Nov, 2020 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

  • Sierra Leone after their impressive come back in Nigeria last Friday was cautious in their matchday four of the Africa Cup of Nations Group L qualifying match at the Freetown Stadium on Tuesday.

Both nations in the race to Cameroon 2022 played to a barren draw in a less entertaining encounter.

The result means Sierra Leone must win their remaining matches hoping Benin will drop points against Nigeria if they are to reach the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time since 1996 in South Africa.

Both sides were pragmatic in their approach with some scrappy football with far fewer clear chances.

Home-based defender Abu Bakarra Samura, who steps in for skipper Umaru Bangura was impressive.

Sierra Leone coach John Keister made three substitutions to bolster with some fresh legs; Anderlecht Mustapha Bundu was in for Rodney Strasser in 56. Alhaji Kamara, who scored a brace in the first leg was subbed off in the 76-minute before Mustapha Dumbuya was replaced with Osman Kakay, in an attempt to nick the game.

Elsewhere in the group, Benin battled a goalless draw at the Setsoto Stadium earlier today.

Nigeria stood the top of Group L with eight points, one more than second-placed Benin. Sierra Leone on three points, and Lesotho on two.

Meanwhile, Senegal becomes the first nation to qualify for the tournament slated for Cameroon.

The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations is the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial international men’s football championship of Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Sierra Leone: Mohamed Kamara, Mohamed Buya Turay, Mustapha Dumbuya (Osman Kaykay 81’), Yeami Dunia, Alhaji Kamara (Alhassan Koroma 76’), Kei Kamara, Medo, Kwame Quee, Rodney Strasser (Mustapha Bundu 56’), Abu Suma, Kevin Wright

Nigeria: Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Kevin Akpoguma (Chidozie Awaziem 74’), Joe Aribo (Semi Ajayi 84’), Oghenekaro Etebo (Shehu Abdullahi 39’), Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho (Emmanuel Dennis 84’)

Full Afcon Results Listed

Tuesday’s Afcon 2021 qualifiers:

  • Ethiopia 3-0 Niger (Grp K)
  • Madagascar 1-1 Ivory Coast (Grp K)
  • Lesotho 0-0 Benin (Grp L)
  • Rwanda 0-0 Cape Verde (Grp F)
  • Sudan 1-0 Ghana (Grp C)
  • Central Africa 0-2 Morocco (Grp E)
  • Angola 0-1 DR Congo (Grp D)
  • Sierra Leone 0-0 Nigeria (Grp L)
  • Togo 1-3 Egypt (Grp G)
  • Namibia 1-2 Mali (Grp A)
  • Tanzania 1-1 Tunisia (Grp J)

Monday’s results:

  • Eswatini 0-0 Congo (Grp I)
  • Malawi 0-0 Burkina Faso (Grp B)
  • South Sudan 1-0 Uganda (Grp B)
  • Sao Tome and Principe 2-4 South Africa (Grp C)
  • Zimbabwe 2-2 Algeria (Grp H)
  • Botswana 1-0 Zambia (Grp H)
  • The Gambia 2-1 Gabon (Grp D)
  • Mozambique 2-0 Cameroon (Grp F)

Sunday’s results:

  • Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Libya (Grp J)
  • Chad 1-1 Guinea (Grp A)
  • Comoros 2-1 Kenya (Grp G)
  • Guinea Bissau 0-1 Senegal (Grp I)
  • Burundi 3-1 Mauritania (Grp E )

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FC Kallon’s Samura in for skipper Bangura, Kei, Alhaji in attack

by | 17 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News

  • Three changes from the first leg as FC Kallon defender Abu-Bakar Samura to start against Nigeria as a replacement for skipper Umaru Bangura.
  • FC Zire defender Alie Sesay will start on the bench.
  • Live Broadcast at SLBC TV channel 31, AYV TV Facebook online. Kickoff 16 hrs local time.

Samura, who is a promising prospect, will have to go against some of the big-name stars in the Nigerian squad this afternoon at the Siaka Steven Stadium.

Heavy-weight Randers striker Alhaji Kamara following his brace in the first tie on Friday will start alongside Kei Kamara.

In midfield, Keshla midfielder John Kamara makes way for former AC Miland midfielder, Rodney Strasser, who will battle in the middle of the pack alongside former Bolton enforcer Mohamed Medo Kamara.

Coach John Keister will be hoping for a positive reaction like the second 45-minute in Nigeria.

Nigeria coach Rohr, on the other hand, will be aiming his side put up a strong show after their lacklustre display to surrendered four-goal advantage on Friday.

Sierra Leone must not be complacent in Nigeria rematch

Sierra Leone must not be complacent in Nigeria rematch

by | 15 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News

  • John Keister’s men must be brewing with confidence going into matchday four of the African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Siaka Steven Stadium on Tuesday.
  • Leone Stars must replicate a reverse performance of the second half first leg if they are to combat a rejuvenated Super Eagles, who will be coming to write-off the wrongs of the meeting in Nigeria.

The group top scorer Napoli’s hitman Victor Osimhen has been ruled out. Regardless, German coach Gernot Rohr still have a host of strikers to call upon.

A win for the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone will surely pave a new direction and improve their chances to reach their third African Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon 2022.

However, a defeat or draw depending on the result in Lesotho will leave the Leone Stars with a slim hope which will not be good for a side that exhibited passion and resilient at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Friday.

Having come from four-goal down to draw 4-4 sharing of the spoils against one of Africa’s footballing powerhouse, self-assurance must be brewing within the Leone Stars camp, but they must not be complacent in Freetown.

History can repeat itself as in 2001 when big names like centre back Taribo West, midfield maestro Jay-jay Okocha, enforcer Sunday Oliseh, winger Finidi George, present assistant coach Joseph Yobo were all part of a strong Eagles first team when local hero Sidique Mansaray under the supervision of Sam Obi Metzger trampled the Eagles wings to a 1-0 victory.

Coach John Keister was in the Leone Stars side during the FIFA World Cup Africa group B April 2001. On that day, he was a destroyer in the middle of the pack for Sierra Leone.

It’s not an exaggeration to say Nigeria can win in Freetown because they are proving soccer power in our continent, but Tuesday’s tie can go either way.

The three-time African Champions faced an embarrassing score-line to their West African counterparts’ 88th places below then in the global ranking which led to the President of the Nigerian Football Federation Amaju Pinnick to immediately summoned coach Gernot Roh, his technical crew and players to a stressful meeting just to command a four-goal victory without a reply from the host.

A strong message many have described as a possible team talk for the Leone Stars technical team.

Sierra Leone last Cup of Nations finals was South Africa 1996 some 26 years ago.

 

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