Sport News Archives - Page 22 of 444

CAF rejects SLFA’s request to play Nigeria at home

by FSL News | 4 May, 2023 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

The Sierra Leone Football Association have confirmed that the Confederation of African Football, CAF, has rejected their proposal to host Nigeria in the African Cup of Nations Matchday 5 qualifier at home.

Sierra Leoneans were hoping to watch their national team, Leone Stars, battle against Nigeria in June’s crucial AFCON qualifier at the newly built 6000-seater Southern Arena in Bo City, Sierra Leone.

SLFA say the decision was due to poor hotel facilities in the country’s Southern Province second city. As it stands, Sierra Leone will have to look on the road to host Nigeria’s Super Eagles next month.

Super Eagles of Nigeria regained the top spot in Group A after their 1-0 win through Moses Simon’s spot kick in the 30-minute in their matchday four reverse fixture of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers in March.

Sierra Leone registered its first victory in the African Cup of Nations Qualifying Group A campaign defeating Sao Tome 2-0 to move two points behind leaders Guinea Bissau.

Both sides played to a 2-2 draw in their matchday three qualifiers, but on matchday four, Sierra Leone looked more determined to keep their qualification campaign alive.

Sierra Leone sits third in Group A but must win against Nigeria and Guinea-Bissua in their final two games to make a back-to-back AFCON final.

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Morocco through to U17 quarter-finals after defeating Nigeria

by FSL News | 4 May, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Morocco have qualified for this year’s U17 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as Abdel Hamid Maali’s first-half deflected strike proved pivotal on Wednesday. The North Africans carried the day with a 1-0 win over Nigeria at the Mohamed Hamloui Stadium in Constantine.

Maali’s goal came as early as 75 seconds on the clock as they held on to grab a massive win to move to six points on top of Group B.

Nigeria did everything but failed to capitalise on their chances – The West African will face a crucial final group match tie against South Africa.

Elsewhere, young Bafana Bafana beat their COSAFA rivals 3-2 in Constantine on Wednesday to put their TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign back on track.

The young Bafana Bafana head coach Duncan Crowie was pleased with his side scoring early goals.

“We scored an early goal which really helped us settle. We also created more, unlike the Morocco game, and I am happy for the goals. The players had courage, and we had good mental strength to perform like that,” said the tactician.

On Saturday, Duncan’s side will battle for a place in the quarter-finals when they face Nigeria U17.

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Morocco have qualified for this year's U17 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals

U17: Congo boss Cesana frustrated with Somalia draw

by FSL News | 3 May, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Congo’s head coach Fabrizio Cesana was left dissatisfied after their 1-1 draw against tournament debutants Somalia in Algiers on Tuesday night.

Speaking during his post-match interview after their second Group A tie, Cesana lost count of how many times they failed to put opportunities to score in the tie to bed.

“Everyone watched the match, and I could not count the attempts we had in front of the goal. In football, when you don’t convert your chances – you are punished. We played well and created chances, but we just couldn’t score. This is a thing that we need to discuss with the players,” the coach said after the match.”

Despite the draw, Cesana says they will mount a good challenge when they face Algeria in their final group stage match on Friday as they look to clinch the single available automatic ticket to the quarter-finals.

“We failed to get the victory today, but we are still going to strive to qualify. Winning against Somalia was within our reach, but we did not do it. Now we focus on the next match and seek to get three points,” he said.

He says his side will have to be at their best against Algeria, especially after they lost 3-0 against Senegal and will be keen to bounce back.

A victory for Congo against Algeria will hoist them into second place which is coach Cesana’s target.

First-ever goal ✅
First-ever point 🆕

A HISTORIC NIGHT FOR SOMALIA! #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/0xNT0ZQ5xC

— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) May 2, 2023

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Idris Kanu’s Barnet set for Boreham Wood playoff cracker

by FSL News | 2 May, 2023 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

Sierra Leone International Idris Kanu is expected to play an instrumental part as the Bees host Boreham Wood at The Hive on Tuesday evening in the first round of the playoffs.

The Bees come into the game with the better overall finish but have been short of their best for the past few games, slumping to a draw against Maidenhead United and a loss against Dagenham & Redbridge.

However, Barnet’s home record against some of the top sides shows that they are a force when under pressure. Brennan’s side has beaten Woking & Chesterfield convincingly. They have also taken a point against the league’s titans Wrexham and Notts County.

Meanwhile, the Wood are fresh off a 1-0 victory against relegated Yeovil but have also not been at their best, losing to Gateshead and the Daggers recently.

Kanu, 23, who signed for The Bees in September 2022 from Peterborough United, has been an integral figure after he featured in over 35 games since he joined the club and scored ten goals thus far.

He started his career in the West Ham United academy before joining Aldershot Town in 2016.

The winner will take on Notts County at Meadow Lane on Sunday (12:30 pm KO) in the playoff semi-final.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer Abess Bittar Players Abroad News.

U17: Senegal edge Congo as Nigeria down Zambia

by FSL News | 1 May, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Host Algeria, Senegal, Nigeria and Morocco all recorded opening wins in their TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with victories.

Algeria, as host nation, started brightly after skipper Moslem Anatouf’s brace gave them an opening 2-0 win as they began their U17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on good footing defeating debutants Somalia 2-0 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Saturday.

Elsewhere in Group A, Senegal’s defender Serigne Fallou Diouf scored 12 minutes as he helped his side to an opening 1-0 victory over Congo.

For the first time in three attempts, Senegal won their opening game of the tournament and moved second in Group A with three points same as leader Algeria who won 2-0 against Somalia.

The other winners were Morocco and Nigeria from Group B. Favour Daniel’s only goal in the second half was enough for Nigeria as they made a positive start defeating Zambia 1-0 at the Mohamed Hamloui Stadium in Constantine on Sunday.

Second-half goals from skipper Abdelhamid Ait Bouldal and substitute Adam Hanin saw Morocco beat South Africa 2-0 at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine on Sunday as they started their TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a victory.

With the victory, Morocco has moved top of Group B ahead of Nigeria with a better goal aggregate.

🔢 STANDINGS 🔢

Here’s how groups 🅰️ and 🅱️ stand after Matchday 1️⃣#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/08nZIrQf7G

— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) April 30, 2023

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Kei Kamara heads in as Chicago Fire, NYB share spoils

by FSL News | 1 May, 2023 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

MLS legend Kei Kamara continued his fine form with Chicago Fire after he scored in their 1-1 draw against New York RB on Saturday night at Soldier Field.

The Fire took the lead shortly before halftime when forward Kei Kamara tallied his team-leading fourth goal of the season, placing him just two goals shy of Landon Donovan’s 145 career MLS tallies.

However, Cory Burke’s goal in the 89th minute lifted the visiting New York Red Bulls to a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Fire on Saturday.

Kamara scored his 143rd MLS regular season goal in the 34th minute following some back-and-forth play between Maren Haile-Selassie and Arnaud Souquet on the right flank.

Haile-Selassie played Souquet behind the defence, and the French defender sent a perfectly timed cross for Kamara to head into the net.

The 38-year-old took to Twitter to express his delight, “A win was the goal but fell short (Result 1-1). We continued the home unbeaten streak for the season. We’re almost there, guys. BELIEVE.”

He can't stop scoring.@keikamara gets the opener in Chicago!

📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/iIfqCY7vUE pic.twitter.com/0bqRJYM383
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 30, 2023

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