by FSL News | 16 Jul, 2020 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News
The 2019/2020 Sierra Leone Premier League season has been cancelled and declared null and void, Football Sierra Leone understands.
All fourteen Premier League clubs have agreed to null and void the season subject to the Sierra Leone Football Association, SLFA’s approval.
Big money spenders, Bo Rangers were leading the pecking order before the league was halted due to the global pandemic Covid-19 in March. However, two clubs still can represent Sierra Leone in CAF competitions next season.
The last representatives from Sierra Leone were FC Johansen and Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces Football Club in CAF Champions League and Total Caf Confederation Cup respectively in 2017.
The cancellation of the season effectively means that there will be no champions of the season and no relegation.
Premier League Board says 2019/2020 season in a meeting with the 14 Premier League Clubs on Wednesday agreed to cancel the season.
“It was also agreed in the meeting that Bo Rangers, Kamboi Eagles and East End Lions decide between and among themselves from now till Monday who among them will represent the country in CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively.
“Should they not be able to reach an agreement, the Board will then decide as to which two teams will represent the country as against CAF’s August deadline.”
East End Lions will remain as the reigning defending champions after their excellent run last season winning the league undefeated under the supervision of John Keister.
Meanwhile, there is no tentative kick-off date for the SLPL 2020/2021 season subject to the full reopening of the country by the government and the approval of the health authorities.
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Halted Season Standings below
Premier League Fixtures, Results & Table
GAME OVER! Football in Sierra Leone suspended over Coronavirus
by FSL News | 15 Jul, 2020 | Players Abroad News, Sport News
Attacker Augustus Kargbo is eager to end the season with the ‘greatest achievement’ of his Reggio Audace loan spell.
Kargbo, 20, who has maintained an impressive form since his loan from Serie B side FC Crotone, has enjoyed great success on a personal level with eight goals in 22 appearances this season for Audace.
The best 2019/2020 best rated Serie C side overall, will host Novara in a must-win game if they are to play the winner between Bari and Carrarese in the final for a place in the Italian Serie B next season.
‘The Blues (Novara)’, who masterminds a 2-1 victory over Capri in the quarter-final, will also want to give a good account of themselves.
The Serie C semifinals playoffs kick start on Friday 17, July. Reggio Audace will host Novara Calcio at their Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore while Bari battle it out with Carrarese.
“Serie B promotion is something I would like to achieve here. Gaining promotion to Serie B is so much important that can change many players life. The club, the fans everyone around the club want to achieve the same thing that is our maximum objective Serie B,” Kargbo told FSL News.
“The club, the community have been waiting for almost 20 years. So, if we can achieve the height of Serie, our names will be written down in the club’s history books.”
Having joined in September last year on loan has been a star player his versatility is what makes him very impressive on the pitch.
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⚽️ Di nuovo in campo! Lunedì sera i granata di nuovo in scena al "Città del Tricolore" contro il Potenza Calcio Official. #Centanninsieme #noiConvoi
Slået op af Reggio Audace F.C. i Fredag den 10. juli 2020
by FSL News | 12 Jul, 2020 | Players Abroad News, Sport News, Video & News
Alhaji Kamara scored his fourth of the season to help his Danish Superliga side Randers overcome Odense Boldklub in the first leg playoff on Saturday for a place in next season’s Europa League competition.
The East Jutland-based club come from behind to registered 2-1 win with goals from Alhaji Kamara and Emil Riis at Cepheus Park, Randers.
Odense took an early lead in the 19th minute from a tap-in by Max Fenger assisted by Moses Opondo whose past was excellent.
The host team recovered and cancelled the visitor’s lead twenty minutes after the restart.
In the 65th minute, Alhaji Kamara equalized with a header Vito Hammershøj-Mistrati contributed to the goal situation before Emil Riis ensures maximum points from the spot for the home side in the 74th minute.
The return match against OB will be played in Odense on Sunday, July 19 at 16:00.
Meanwhile, In Denmark, crowds returned have been limited to 500 since the lockdown, but last Sunday’s game was allowed special dispensation to host 3,000 under strict coronavirus health protocols.
Now the authorities will assess the advisability of increasing the number of people present in the stands on a more regular basis.
3F Superligaen, Europa League Playoff, first round, the first match – Saturday 11 July, at 18.00, Nature Energy Park
Randers FC – OB 2-1 (0-1)
0-1 Max Fenger (19.)
1-1 Al-Hadji Kamara (65.)
2-1 Emil Riis (74.)
Attendance: 1231
Judge: Jens Maae
by FSL News | 11 Jul, 2020 | Players Abroad News, Sport News
The entire FC Zurich squad and coaching staff have been quarantined until 17 July after centre-back Mirlind Kryeziu tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday.
The club confirmed that after a further examination a total of nine (six players, three staff members) tested positive.
(Photo: Defender Mirlind Kryeziu’s covid-19 test positive (bottom, center) [KEYSTONE / Laurent Gillieron]
The quarantine decision was taken after consultation with the cantonal medical authorities.
Sierra Leone skipper Umaru Bangura was an unused substitute in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw away to Neuchâtel.
It is a concern for all the players and the management team, who were present for the Neuchâtel match on Tuesday.
“All squad players and staff members of the first team, as well as FCZ employees in the vicinity of the fan team, were tested for the coronavirus. Further results were positive. All people are in domestic isolation.
We follow all guidelines and instructions issued by the BAG and the cantonal health department and take the necessary steps,” the club said in a statement.
As a result, matches planned against Sion (11 July) and in Basel (14 July) will be suspended until further notice.
The club has said they are in contact with the Swiss Football League concerning new dates for their remaining matches.
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by FSL News | 11 Jul, 2020 | African News, Sport News
Michael Lahoud has announced his retirement from football age 33
The Sierra Leone International, who was the 2005 Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year, was drafted in the first round (9th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA where he started his proffesional career.
Lahoud won the USL regular-season champions with FC Cincinnati during the 2017/18 season and also played for Philadelphia Union, New York Cosmos amongst others before finishing his career at San Antonio FC.
He said: “Having played professional football for 11 years, the time has come for me to announce my retirement from professional soccer.
“I have appreciated every moment of this incredible journey which begin in my home country Sierra Leone and come to a close here in the United States.”
In a statement. Lahoud went on to hail those people that scarifies for him throughout his professional journey.
Off the pitch, the retired central Midfield is known for his volunteer work. He is active with the charity Schools for Salone, an organization that supports education and builds schools in his native country of Sierra Leone, West Africa.
In 2015, he was a co-recipient of the FIFPro Merit Award for his efforts in bringing a school to children displaced by civil war. Miami supporters also partnered with him on several occasions to raise money for this cause.
In 2016, the NASL gave Michael Lahoud a Humanitarian of the Year.
International career
Lahoud made his Leone Stars debut in a 3-2 victory over Equatorial Guinea during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match.
He was a pivotal player under former coach Johnny McKinstry playing in over four qualifying matches and was part of a 1-0 victory over Swaziland in Freetown 2014.
Listen to the former Miami FC player announcement
Miami FC midfielder Lahoud delighted to be back in Sierra Leone squad
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by FSL News | 9 Jul, 2020 | Players Abroad News, Sport News
Ibrahim Kargbo celebrated this season’s Ukrainian Cup the club 12th
Sierra Leone-born Ibrahim Kargbo junior enjoyed his first major success after his Dynamo Kyiv defeated Vorskla Poltava 8-7 on penalties in the Ukrainian Cup final at the OSK Metalist, Kharkiv on Wednesday.
Dynamo Kyiv secured their 12th Ukrainian Cup after a penalty shootout victory over Vorskla Poltava on Wednesday.
As a result, the victory ensures Dynamo go straight into next season’s Europa League group stage.
Although he did not play any part in the final. However, Kargbo made his debut for the club in this competition when he was introduced in the 61st minutes in Kyiv 2-0 Semi-final cup victory on Wednesday, June 18.
Striker Ruslan Stepanyuk opened the scoring for Vorskla in the opening 10th minute of the final that was played in the eastern city of Kharkiv before Dynamo’s Slovenian midfielder Benjamin Verbic levelled in the 28th minute.
The final was concluded with a dramatic penalty shootout, Dynamo prevailed 8-7.
Last month, Dynamo’s bitter rivals Shakhtar Donetsk secured their 13th Ukrainian league title.
The Ukrainian Premier League restarted its season in May, in line with an easing of the coronavirus-related lockdown measures in the country.
The youngster, who is still eligible to play for his country of birth, has been part of the Kyiv side since his debut.
He made his first senior start in defeat against Desna Chernihiv at the Yuri Gagarin Stadium June 28 and played a part in Dynamo’s defeat to rival Shakhtar Donetsk.
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Kargbo Jnr makes Dinamo Kyiv debut in cup win over Minai
Sierra Leone | Highlights -