by FSL News | 3 Oct, 2019 | African News
- Prominent Moroccan centre-back Medhi Benatia has announced his retirement from international football after 62 appearances for the Atlas Lions scoring twice for the Atlas Lions.
- He thanked his country’s fans for their support while confirming the news.
“In more than 10 years since being selected, I experienced joy and sorrow but what I will remember most is the love of the Moroccan people,” Benatia said.
Benatia, 32, moved to Al Duhail in Qatar in January after more than two years with Juventus.
He joins two other fellow Moroccans – Mbarek Boussoufa and Karim Al Ahmadi – who also retired from the international scene following the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations when Morocco suffered a shock early exit in the last-16.
Benatia appeared at four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations and also went to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He had already asked Morocco’s new head coach Vahid Halilodzic not to include him in the squad to face Libya and Gabon later this month.
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by FSL News | 30 Sep, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
- Sierra Leone home-based stars are through to the next stage of the WAFU Cup of Nations following a 1-0 win over neighbours Liberia in Senegal.
- The contest was postponed due to floodlight failure in the 71st minute on Sunday but continued on Monday at the Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal.
- The Leone Stars managed to defend their one-goal advantage in the remaining 20 minutes played on Monday.
- Serra Leone victory means they will face the winner of the match between Mali and Niger on Oct. 6 in the quarterfinals of the Cup competition, while Liberia will take part in the Plate quarterfinals and play the loser.
Match Recap:
The game started on Sunday night but was temporarily postponed in the 71st minute with the score at 1-0.
Sierra Leone only goal came in the 40th minutes when Striker Suffian Kalokoh superbly volleyed home from the edge of the box to make it 1-0 at the break.
The Liberians threw players forward in the final 10 minutes, but could not find a goal as the Leone Stars held on for the slender victory.
Sierra Leone will now progress into the quarterfinals of the Cup competition where they will play the winner of the match between Mali and Niger on Oct. 6, while Liberia will take part in the Plate quarterfinals and play the loser.
Its was the third meeting between the two West African Nations this month.
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by FSL News | 30 Sep, 2019 | African News
Sierra Leone led 1-0 against Liberia in Game 4 of the 2019 WAFU Cup of Nations at the Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal on Sunday before the game was postponed due to floodlight failure.
The lights went out in the 71st minute due to a fire in the sub-station off-site which saw the pitch cast into darkness.
Consequently, the game has been postponed until Monday, Sept. 30 when the game will be restarted in the minute that it was stopped with the same players on the field — the game will get underway at 7:30 p.m. (GMT).
Sierra Leone had started strong and almost took the lead in the tenth minute when a headed pass from Mahmoud Fofanah found Musa Kamara in space eight yards out, but his high bicycle kick struck the crossbar.
The Leone Stars continued to push forward and went close again in the 21st minute when loose ball at a corner kick fell to Suffian Kalokoh, but he blasted inches over from 14 yards out.
Liberia started to find their footing in the game after that and nearly opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Terry Sackor met a left-side free-kick with a 10-yard header, but his effort came back off the outside of the post.
Six minutes later, Sackor was in the thick of the action following a goalmouth scramble inside the Sierra Leone box as the keeper fumbled the ball into his path, but for a second time, he struck the right-hand post from close range.
The Leone Stars, though, took the lead in the 40th minute when Kalokoh capitalised on a mistake in the defence and superbly volleyed home from the edge of the box to make it 1-0 at the break.
The second half saw Liberia start positively with Kelvin Potis a real threat in attack and he came close to scoring just after the hour mark when he let fly with a powerful 18-yard shot from an acute angle on the right, but it went narrowly over the target.
Source: ESPN Africa – Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
by FSL News | 29 Sep, 2019 | Players Abroad News
- Sierra Leone native Amadou Bakayoko scored to rescued English League One side Coventry City to a 1-1 home draw against Doncaster on Saturday.
- Bakayoko,23, helped Coventry City maintain their impressive unbeaten start to the new League One season in another thrilling encounter at St Andrew’s.
His last-gasp equaliser was enough to share the spoils against a resolute Doncaster side.
Despite the home team enjoying the majority of possession, City nearly took the lead in the strangest of circumstances. With 24 minutes gone, a dangerous Wesley Jobello cross had the keeper beaten; unfortunately, it struck the bar and bounced away to safety.
However, the visitors took the lead against the run of play through Ben Whiteman four minute before the break.
But they battled back in the second 45 when late substitute Bakayoko stepped off the bench to secure his side a share of the spoils, hooking home in the 88th minute.
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by FSL News | 29 Sep, 2019 | Players Abroad News
- Phoenix Rising FC crowned the 2019 USL regular-season champion after a comeback draw.
- Mustapha Dumbuya, who joined the USL side in January, has featured in over 23 games helping them to the title.
- The Sierra Leone International a key figure in the Rising side since joining and was part of the side that clinched the Supporters’ Shield on Saturday night after coming back from a 2-0 deficit to tie New Mexico United 2-2.
RECAP: New Mexico United 2-2 Phoenix Rising
Phoenix Rising FC fought from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against New Mexico United in front of over 13,000 fans.
The host outsmarts their visitors as they took the lead in just four minutes of action when defender Manny Padilla swung in a cross from the right flank, and the forward Sandoval produced an acrobatic finish to beat Phoenix goalkeeper Zac Lubin from a few yards out and open the scoring.
New Mexico held that lead through the remainder of the first half and would go on to double the advantage eight minutes after the interval.
From a corner kick, defender Justin Schmidt was able to direct an effort on goal for New Mexico’s second of the night.
However, Champions Phoenix revived their comeback after 73 minutes when defender Corey Whelan fed substitute Joey Calistri, who cleverly beat United’s keeper Ben Beaury for a 2-1 scoreline.
Calistri spoils the hosts’ party and helps Phoenix avoid back-to-back defeats for what would have been the first time since the end of the 2018 regular season.
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by FSL News | 27 Sep, 2019 | Players Abroad News
- Augustus Kargbo made an impressive home debut for Serie C side Reggio Audace in their 2-0 victory over FC Carpi on Wednesday
- The victory marked the club’s 100 years with an indescribable atmosphere at the Città del Tricolore
- Goals from Mattia Machi and Stefano Scappini 17th and 64th minute respectively were enough in front of over 8000 spectators for the Centennial match
Kargbo, 20, who signed for his new side on loan from Serie B FC Crotone until the end of the season, was delighted with the derby victory after he was subbed on with 20-minute remaining.
“I was pleased because we played a match, a good derby result and I was happy with my performance,” Kargbo told FSL News.
“We pressed them very well, we worked them well, we didn’t let them have any chances, and the second half it was a bit less.
“I hope to continue playing. For me to be able to show off my talent, that was why I joined the team. Happy with the move as the objective is getting more playing time.”
Reggio Audace FC standing second two points adrift from Padova Calcio.
They take on ASD Arzignano Valchiamp on Sunday away from home.
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -