by FSL News | 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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by FSL News | 15 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
- Nigeria German coach Gernot Rohr has confirmed that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen will miss Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations return qualifier against Sierra Leone in Freetown.
- However, Rohr still has Jupiler Pro-League top scorer, Paul Onuachu or Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho either of them can replace injured Osimhen in the rematch at the Siaka Steven Stadium.
Osimhen, 21, was subbed off after he dislocated his shoulder at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Friday.
He scored one of the goals in the exciting eight-goal thriller in Benin City.
The former Lille striker has since been discharged from hospital, but Rohr said he will not be available for Sierra Leone.
“He is out of the match after he dislocated his shoulder,” Rohr disclosed.
Meanwhile, Benin steps closer to Nigeria on six points after a 1-0 win over Lesotho at the Stade Charles de Gaulle on Saturday.
The Squirrels will be aiming to avoid defeat when they face Lesotho in the rematch to strengthen their grip closed to AFCON 2022.
Jodel Dossou’s 24th-minute goal was enough for Michel Dussuyer’s men who secured maximum points against Thabo Senong’s Crocodiles.
Nigeria still standing tall with seven points, Benin on six, Sierra Leone two and Lesotho one.
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by FSL News | 14 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
- The Squirrels of Benin will be eyeing a back to back win in the qualifying race to Cameroon 2022 when they take on Lesotho this afternoon.
- At the Au Stade Charles DeGaulle, Benin will go toe to toe against Lesotho, who shares national flag colours with Sierra Leone.
Group L – 14 November 2020 kick-off is at 16:00 hrs local time in Cotonou, Benin.
The West Africa nation recorded a 1-0 win over Sierra Leone in matchday two of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers in November 2019.
Lesotho, on the other hand, started their qualifying campaign in a closed-doors 1-1 outing to Sierra Leone in Freetown, before losing 4-2 to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Maseru last November.
A win for Lesotho will change proceedings in this group, especially after Sierra Leone famous rally in Nigeria on Friday.
Nigeria still leaders of Group L with seven points from three games, Benin in second and Sierra Leone third with two points after three matches.
AFCON Group L standings
by FSL News | 14 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News, Video & News
- After guided his side to one of Africa’s most famous comeback in Nigeria, Sierra Leone coach John Keister has applauded his super subs on Friday.
- All four of Keister’s changes providing the inspiration the Leone Stars needed coming from four-goal down to earn a remarkable 4-4 in 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Benin City, Edo State.
“We’re delighted. Playing away in Nigeria as always was going to be difficult,” Keister told journalists during his post-match.
“I think we showed Nigeria a lot of respect in the first half, but we realised we needed to bring in fresh legs and important players we left out.”
“The difference was the changes that we made. I’m not disappointed we didn’t win the match. We can’t be too greedy. We’ll take the draw to Freetown. I think it was a game of two halves.”
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Football Federation Amaju Pinnick has summoned Gernot Rohr and his technical crew to a meeting on Saturday what many Nigerians described a poor showing against Sierra Leone.
Nigeria still leaders of Group L with seven points from three games but a defeat in Sierra Leone will leave the race to Cameroon wide open.
The Leone Stars are third with two points after three matches with Benin and Lesotho set to play their game on the 14th of November.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer Prince Scott @PrinceArmaniSc2.
by FSL News | 13 Nov, 2020 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
- Sierra Leone in search of their third African Cup Of Nations final come from 4-0 down to 4-4 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Friday.
- Thanks to a brace from Randers FC striker Alhaji Kamara, who scored in the 72nd and 86th minutes while the Anderlecht man Mustapha Bundu impressed with his 80th-minute goal.
- As a result, Sierra Leone up to third in Group L while Nigeria remain top spot on seven points, four clear of Benin who hosts Lesotho on Saturday.
Host super Eagles race into quick four goals lead from Alex Iwobi’s brace, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwuese in the opening half-hour, but their resilient visitors fought back.
Sierra Leone was able to pull a goal back before the interval as Kwame Quee slipped the ball underneath the onrushing Maduka Okoye.
John Keister’s men took confidence from Quee’s strike and scored a second in the 72nd minute as Alhaji Kamara nodded home from close range.
Sierra Leone showed maturity and composure after their first goal and took control of proceedings.
Heavy-weight Alhaji Kamara completed the comeback in the 86th minute with his second of the game as the Leone Stars claimed a remarkable result that will long live in the memory of those involved.
A star-studded Nigeria side, ranked 32nd in the World, could settle for a point against Sierra Leone ranked 88th places below in the global Rankings.
by FSL News | 13 Nov, 2020 | African News, Sport News
Hebei Fortune China striker Mohamed Buya Turay, and MLS fifth all-time top scorer, Kei Kamara, to lead the Leone Stars attack against Nigeria.
Keister’s men face with a tough away job at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. Kickoff 17 hrs local time.
Former Chelsea academy graduate, Orebro SK left-back, Kevin Wright to make his official Sierra Leone debut.
In midfield, Keshla midfielder John Kamara, former Bolton enforcer Mohamed Medo Kamara and Kwame Quee to battle the Super Egles in the pack.
Local keeper East End Lions Mohamed Kamara, who was in goal in matchday two 1-0 defeat in Benin keep his position.
Coach John Keister will be hoping for a positive result in Nigeria before the return fixture in Freetown on the 17 at the Siaka Steven Stadium.
Nigeria coach Rohr earlier this week has stated that they are aiming to secure qualification for the 2022 Afcon finals in Cameroon in the double-header fixtures this month.
The Leone Stars’ only point came after a 1-1 draw against Lesotho before they suffered a 1-0 loss against Benin.
A reminder of Group L qualification standings
Sierra Leone bottom of 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying standings
Sierra Leone | Highlights -