Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Benin & Lesotho in race for #AFCON2021 spot

Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Benin & Lesotho in race for #AFCON2021 spot

by | 18 Jul, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone will face Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Benin and Lesotho in Group L qualifiers for a place in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted in Cameroon.

The last time the country participated in the continental big stage, was 23 years ago during the 1996 AFCON in South Africa, when retired International Mohamed Kallon at 16, became the tournament’s youngest player after he scored the winning goal for Sierra Leone in a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso.

Sierra Leone will once again have a fresh chance to compete for a spot in the 33rd edition of the biennial championship of Africa organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The country’s soccer team in Dec 2018, were disqualified from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign because of alleged government interference in running the country’s football association.

They lost to Ethiopia in their last group match before the suspension.

The 2021 tournament is scheduled to be hosted by Cameroon and is likely to be held in Summer.

The 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four teams each and the top two sides from each group will earn a ticket to the 2021 showpiece in Cameroon.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.

 

Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Benin & Lesotho to race for AFCON 2021 spot

Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Benin & Lesotho to race for AFCON 2021 spot

Nigeria captain John Mikel retires from International football

Nigeria captain John Mikel retires from International football

by | 18 Jul, 2019 | African News

Nigeria captain John Mikel Obi has confirmed his retirement from international football, BBC Sports reports.

The 32-year-old midfielder made 89 appearances for his country between 2005 and 2019, scoring six times.

Mikel, who has just signed for Trabzonspor in Turkey had already told BBC Sport that the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt would be his last appearance on the continental showpiece event.

“At the age of 32 it’s time for me to retire from the national team and let the youth take over, (sic) who’ve done an amazing job securing a bronze medal at AFCON 2019,” he wrote on social media. 

“Egypt is a country where I’ve started and have finished my national career. In 2006 I played my first official championship for my country.

“The 2019 African Cup of Nations marks my last championship for the national team with Super Eagles.”

His expected decision comes despite coach Gernot Rohr saying Mikel could guide his young team for a few more years in their quest to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“My national career started in 2003 under 17 World Cup and I’m grateful for the national team for placing me on the world arena and allowing me to show my skill and have an incredible National and International career,” Mikel added.

“Thank you to all my Nigerian supporters and my country for all the trust, support and love you’ve shown me over the past 15 years.”

Mikel played for Nigeria in the past two World Cups and helped the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

He was part of the team that finished third at the 2006 and 2010 Nations Cups.

He made two appearances for his country at the ongoing tournament in Egypt as the Super Eagles sealed a third-place finish on Wednesday.

A finalist with the youth side at the under-20 World Cup in 2005, the former Chelsea player won the silver ball as the tournament’s second-best player behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

He was also one of Nigeria’s three over-age players as the African side won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.

Clarence Seedorf sacked as Cameroon coach

Clarence Seedorf sacked as Cameroon coach

by | 16 Jul, 2019 | African News

The Cameroon Football Federation sacked coach Clarence Seedorf and assistant Patrick Kluivert on Tuesday, the pair paying the price for the defending champions’ last 16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon crashed out 3-2 to Nigeria last Saturday, an exit the federation described as “premature” in its statement.

Former Dutch international Seedorf won just three of nine competitive games after taking over the Indomitable Lions alongside Kluivert last August.

The federation are now hunting for a manager to prepare the national side for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which they are hosting.

With a haul of four Champions League wins, five national titles and a host of individuals awards, Seedorf, a former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder enjoyed a decorated career on the pitch.

But his transition into management has come with a steep learning curve.

Failures with Milan and Chinese club Shenzhen, relegation with Deportivo La Coruna and early elimination with Cameroon have clouded his reputation.

Source: AFP – Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.

Senegal in Africa Cup of Nations final after 17 years wait

Senegal in Africa Cup of Nations final after 17 years wait

by | 14 Jul, 2019 | African News

  • Senegal have reached the Africa Cup of Nations final for only the second time in their history after a bizarre own goal in extra time in Sunday’s semi-finals.

As a result, the Teranga Lions will wait to face the winner between either Algeria or Nigeria in Friday’s final.

Senegal seeking another continental title after 17 years, they were runners-in 2002 AFCON.

A terrible mistake by goalkeeper Moez Hassen in the 100th-minute allowed the ball to bounce off the head of defender Dylan Bronn into the net for the only goal of a game.

Hassen came flying off his goal-line to try to cut off a freekick from the right flank but completely missed the ball which then hit the unfortunate Bronn on the head.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.

Dumbuya’s Rising make it nine straight wins at Edinburg

Dumbuya’s Rising make it nine straight wins at Edinburg

by | 14 Jul, 2019 | Players Abroad News

  • Phoenix Rising beat Rio Grande Valley FC 1-0 on Saturday at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas to make it nine consecutive wins in the USL Championship.

Adam Jahn’s second-half header off an assist from Solomon Asante in the 62nd minute proved to be the difference as they continue their impressive start this season.

As a result, The Arizona side set new club-record winning streak to nine. They also extended there away winning streak to four matches.

Since joining the club in January, Sierra Leone defender, Mustapha Dumbuya (second from left) has started 14 matches over 1200 minutes of game time.

Phoenix Rising, who has been excellent so far this season are top of the 2019 Western Conference standings.

They face Austin Bold FC at home next Friday at Casino Arizona Field.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.

Diamond Child U-14 silver medalists from Sierra Leone

Diamond Child U-14 silver medalists from Sierra Leone

by | 13 Jul, 2019 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone

  • A new set of stars have emerged from Sierra Leone, the Diamond Child kids, who were a dominant force in the just concluded Donostic Cup U-14 tournament in Spain.

The youngsters won every match en route to the final, racking up 33 goals and only conceding 6. Impressively they triumphed in style. Their only defeat came in the final 2-0 against Atletic Segre CA, a Catalonia side.

Thanks to Sedyu Sadaka Anthony Jalloh, a Sierra Leonean born musician in Spain, whose effort has exposed a new set of talents from the predominantly fishing slum community at Goderich in the outskirts of Freetown.

The U-14 boys not only make an impression among their peers, but they are now true shining stars after some entertaining performance in Spain.

Donosti Cup Foundation over the past two decades has been inviting teams from disfavored areas, helping them financially, accommodating them, and covering transport expenses during their stay.

Early in July, Diamond Child School boys travelled from Sierra Leone to showcase their football skills at the 2019 Tournament in San Sebastian, Spain.

Photo Credit donosti-tik

 

Diamond-Child top of their U14 Group L

Diamond-Child top of their U 14 Group L

The Kids from Sierra Leone dominated their counterparts

The Kids from Sierra Leone dominated their counterparts

Group matches played at the tournament.

Diamond Child was defeated in their final

Diamond Child was defeated in their final

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.