by FSL News | 1 Nov, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone captain Umaru Bangura has admitted that they the players are the ones affected the most due to the country’s suspension from international football.
Last month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ghana was cancelled after the country’s FA failed to get a FIFA suspension lifted
Read Related – Sierra Leone’s doubleheader against Ghana called off
Sierra Leone Group F contest away to Kenya this month is extremely doubtful as the Fifa suspension on Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) remains in force.
“The suspension is affecting us the footballers as we’re the ones suffering the most,” the FC Zurich defender told BBC Sport.
“This isn’t good for us. We feel disappointed because we know it has a negative effect on our football careers.”
Fifa has maintained that Sierra Leone will remain suspended until the alleged corruption trial against SLFA’s boss Isha Johansen and sec-gen Chris Kamara are concludes.
The 31-year-old, who made his international debut in 2006, was already in a training in Freetown preparing for the matches when he received news of the ban.
“Some foreign players including me were already in camp in Freetown when we heard the sad news about the suspension. We didn’t feel good,” he explained.
“Other overseas players were at different airports to fly to Freetown from their respective countries where they play their club football.”
Bangura, who missed the Ethiopia defeat in September, is calling on all the parties involved to work towards having the suspension lifted in time for their next qualifier against Kenya in Nairobi on 17 November.
“It’s always a special feeling when you play for your national team. We’re hoping that the suspension will be lifted,” said Bangura, who has had stints in Norway and Belarus.
“If the suspension isn’t lifted in time for the Kenya game, then it means we no longer have any hope of qualifying for the finals in Cameroon.
“It’ll end the hopes of the ageing players in the team to ever play in the Nations Cup finals. For these players it’s either now or never.
Kenya top the group with seven points from four matches, three points ahead of second-placed Ethiopia.
Kenya top the group with seven points from four matches, three points ahead of second-placed Ethiopia.
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by FSL News | 31 Oct, 2018 | African News
Zambian top FIFA referee Leah Namukonda has died after having been involved in a road traffic accident.
Leah who was the fourth official on Saturday for the game between Buildcon and Power Dynamos at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium was involved in an accident on the same evening in Luanshya as she visited her parents.
She was rushed to Luanshya Hospital before being referred to Ndola General Hospital where she was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit.
Leah died in the early hours of Wednesday.
Leah was part of the officials at the 2018 Cosafa Women Championship.
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by FSL News | 30 Oct, 2018 | African News, Sport News
One of African football’s most powerful figures has been banned from the sport for life for breaking bribery and corruption rules.
Ex-Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi also broke conflict of interest rules, Fifa said.
Football’s world governing body launched an investigation after Nyantakyi was pictured taking $65,000 (£48,000) from an undercover reporter.
Fifa fined Nyantakyi 500,000 Swiss francs (£390,000).
Nyantakyi was also vice-president of the Confederation of African Football and a member of the Fifa Council.
He stepped down as GFA president in June after film of him allegedly accepting a “cash gift” was made public.
The film was captured by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and BBC Africa’s investigations unit, Africa Eye, received exclusive access to the footage.
Nyantakyi later resigned his Caf and Fifa posts but claimed the footage had been doctored to falsely incriminate him.
The adjudicatory chamber of Fifa’s ethics committee said the ban for life applied to “all football-related activities at both national and international level”.
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by FSL News | 30 Oct, 2018 | African News
Midfielder Victor Wanyama and Michael Olunga, (Pictured) who plies his trade with Kashiwa Reysol in Japan, are both named in Coach Sébastien Migné’s 30-man squad for next month’s Afcon qualifier against Sierra Leone.
The Group F contest is extremely doubtful as the Fifa suspension on Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) remains in force.
Kenya top the group with seven points from four matches, three points ahead of second-placed Ethiopia.
Fifa noted a few days ago that Sierra Leone will remain suspended until the alleged corruption trial against SLFA’s boss Isha Johansen and sec-gen Chris Kamara are concludes.
Other notable inclusion in Kenya’s squad is Beijing Renhe striker Ayud Timber, who was ruled out for two weeks with both knee and shoulder injuries, three weeks ago.
He has nonetheless been recalled to the team after serving his three-match ban by Caf.
Zambian-based Ian Otieno has been dropped and his place taken by Kariobangi Sharks goalkeeper Brian Bwire. US-based defender Joseph Okumu also made it to Migne’s list.
Kenya is also set to play a friendly match during the November 12, to November 20, 2018, Fifa break.
Provisional Squad; Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi (St Georges, Ethiopia), Farouk Shikalo (Bandari, Kenya) and Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya).
Defenders: Musa Mohammed (Nkana FC, Zambia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United, South Africa), David Ochieng (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Abud Omar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Erick Ouma (Vasalund, Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Real Monarchs, USA), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Bernard Ochieng (Vihiga United, Kenya) and Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia, Kenya)
Midfielders: Ismael Gonzalez (Las Palmas, Spain), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Anthony Akumu (Zesco United, Zambia), Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Eric Johanna (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Paul Were (FC Kaisar, Kazakhstan), Henry Ochieng (Braintree Town, England), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari, Kenya), Cliff Nyakeya (Mathare United, Kenya) and Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka, Kenya).
Forwards: Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Jonah Ayunga (Sutton United, England), Masud Juma (Aj Fujairah, UAE), Ovella Ochieng (Vasalund, Sweden), Allan Wanga (Kakamega Homeboyz, Kenya) and Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka, Kenya).
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by FSL News | 30 Oct, 2018 | African News
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was again out of Coach Gernot Rohr 23-man squad announced on Monday for next month’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in South Africa.
China-based, who made his Nigeria debut in 2005, has not played for the country since he captained the team to the World Cup in Russia in June.
Officials have said the former Chelsea star was previously left out of the squad to allow him time to recover from niggling injuries.
But he has since fully recovered and is now playing regularly for his Chinese club, Tianjin Teda.
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has recalled Sporting Charleroi striker Victor Osimhen and midfielder Mikel Agu, who is based in Portugal.
Villarreal young forward Samuel Chukwueze has been handed his first call-up.
Nigeria will lock horns against South Africa in Johannesburg on November 17.
They top Group E with nine points from four matches, a point ahead of second-placed South Africa.
Nigeria will also host Uganda in a friendly at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on November 20.
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by FSL News | 30 Oct, 2018 | African News
Leicester City’s African players have been reacting to the death of the club’s owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha who was killed in a helicopter crash on Saturday.
The Thai billionaire was one of five people who died in the crash shortly after the helicopter took off from Leicester City’s King Power stadium.
Leicester City has the biggest contingent of African players in the Premier League, who have been paying their tributes on social media.
“May the good Lord accept your soul. Rest on boss,” Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho wrote on Twitter.
His counterpart Wilfred Ndidi said: “You were far too kind and supportive. Thank you for all you did for the club, for always encouraging the team and coming all the way to watch me play at the World Cup. Rest on Sir. The boss.”
Ndidi’s comments came shortly after he had scored a goal as Srivaddhanaprabha watched Leicester draw 1-1 with West Ham on Saturday.
Algeria winger Rachid Ghezzal took to Instagram for his tribute: “RIP Boss. All my prayers go to the families for this tragic accident. Strength and courage to the entire Leicester City family in this difficult time. Thank you, boss.”
Tunisian defender, Yohan Benalouane was another to react: “Dear Mr Chairman. It is very difficult to find the right words, as I am completely devastated. You are the father of our club, our family, you have helped all of us to achieve our dreams.”
Malian midfielder Fousseni Diabate sent his condolences too: “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be at the very high level. Thank you for your smiles and kindness. Thanks for believing in me. Thank you and goodbye Sir.”
Ghana fullback, Daniel Amartey, who suffered a serious injury during Saturday’s match, offered his wishes from his hospital bed.
“Thank you, everyone, for your encouraging words of support but devastating to come out of a successful surgery to learn about our chairman who has meant so much for this club and for all of us players. My prayers go out to your family boss,” Amartey wrote on his Instagram page.
Algeria striker Riyad Mahrez, who recently joined Manchester City after a successful four-year stint at Leicester City that included winning the Premier League title in 2016, also paid his respects.
“One of the best people I’ve ever met. I will never forget you. Rest in Peace Vichai.”
For his part, Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa, who recently left the club to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, offered a heartfelt message following the accident.
“Someone so special, will not be forgotten, happy times I could never regret. Wonderful memories will live on forever, I will never forget you,” he said.
“Death can never take a good man away in the hearts of the people he inspired. The legacy remains and continues throughout generations. He was a great man and a father to many. May his soul find eternal rest.”
Srivaddhanapraba, who bought the club in 2010, often used his helicopter to attend Leicester’s matches at the King Power Stadium and the club’s training ground.
The chairman and owner was not only popular with players but also with the fans and was famous for his gifts to them that included free season tickets for some supporters, free meals and club merchandise.
The club has since cancelled its midweek matches for the first and junior teams in his honour.
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