by FSL News | 9 Oct, 2018 | African News
Sierra Leone’s African Nations Cup qualifier against Ghana has been called off after the country’s FA failed to get a FIFA suspension lifted.
Sierra Leone authorities, who had petitioned FIFA to get the ban lifted, did not meet a Tuesday deadline to reinstate ousted football association president Isha Johansen, who is under investigation of corruption-related charges.
“Our appeal has been rejected,” Sierra Leone Football Association president Brima Mazzola Kamara, who replaced Johansen, told Reuters.
Sierra Leone has three points from their opening two Nations Cup qualifiers.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to comment on whether Ghana will be awarded a win for Thursday’s match or if Sierra Leone will be allowed to continue in the Nations Cup qualifying competition if and when they are reinstated by FIFA.
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by FSL News | 9 Oct, 2018 | African News
Former France U-20 star goalkeeper Jonathan Ligali has pledged his international future to Benin, BBC Sports report.
The 27-year-old, who plays his club football in France for Montpellier, is eligible to play for the Squirrels because his mother is from Benin.
Under Fifa rules, he is free to switch because he has not yet played for France’s senior national team.
“Yes, I’m available to play for Benin if they call me,” he told BBC Sport.
“It would definitely be a great honour for me to represent the country of my mother.”
He denied some reports that he had previously turned down a chance to play for the West Africans in the past.
“Not really, no one has contacted me directly from the federation,” he added.
“Right now, if the federation reaches out to me then we can take the next level.”
Ligali represented France at under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels.
He played all seven matches as the French side finished fourth at the 2011 Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.
Born in Montpellier, Ligali began his youth career with his hometown side in 2003 and made his professional debut nine years later.
However, he has mainly been a second choice keeper and has only played 16 matches for the club.
He spent the 2017/18 season on loan at French third-tier side USL Dunkerque, making 30 appearances for the northern club.
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by FSL News | 9 Oct, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
FIFA have rebuffed the Sierra Leone Football Association’s request to lift the suspension of it soccer Association.
Following a meeting on Monday, Sierra Leone FA petitioned Fifa to lift the suspension that will allow it national team honour their Afcon qualifier against the Black Stars this week.
It could be recalled that the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone barred SLFA boss Isha Johansen and general secretary Christopher Kamara from office following investigated on corruption-related charges.
“The suspension will be lifted once the SLFA and its recognised leadership have confirmed to Fifa that the SLFA administration, premises, accounts and communication channels are under their control once again,” Fifa reiterated.
Fifa suspended Sierra Leone from international football last week because of alleged government interference in the running of the country’s football association.
If the ban is not lifted before 11 October, Sierra Leone’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Ghana will be cancelled. The return fixture is scheduled for 15 October.
Read related news…Fifa suspends Sierra Leone soccer Association
See Fifa’s letter
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by FSL News | 7 Oct, 2018 | African News
Deportivo Alaves midfielder Wakaso Mubarak says he is fine and ‘very well’ after his involvement in a car accident on Sunday morning.
The Ghana international was driving on the motorway to the Loiu airport to travel to Ghana for next week’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.
The 28-year-old was named in coach Appiah’s list for Ghana’s doubleheader against Sierra Leone in Kumasi Accra and Freetown.
It is still unclear whether the qualifiers will go ahead after Sierra Leone suspended by Fifa.
He has been in top form for the Spanish La Liga side and lasted the entire duration in Saturday’s 1-0 win over giants Real Madrid.
“Deportivo Alavés player, Wakaso Mubarak, has had a slight car accident this morning. It is in perfect condition.”
“The incident occurred this morning on a stretch of the AP-68 motorway when the player was heading to the Loiu airport to travel to Ghana and join the national team.”
“Wakaso has resumed his way to the airport normally minutes later, clubs statement.
Wakaso later posted on his Twitter page: ”Estoy muy bien gracias a DIOS ” which translates ‘I very well thank God.”
Wakaso Mubarak in action Real Madrid on Saturday.
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by FSL News | 7 Oct, 2018 | Players Abroad News, Video & News
Kei Kamara scored the winner as Vancouver Whitecaps boosted their playoff hopes with a crucial road victory against rivals Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon.
“A great road victory for us and that’s three points closer to the playoffs for us. I am very happy for the winner it was a great goal created by Jordan,” told Football Sierra Leone.
The Sierra Leone international is expected to join Leone Stars camp latest by Tuesday despite the uncertainty surrounding Sierra Leone’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Ghana.
“The Sierra Leone Football Association has informed us about an impending meeting with the government of Sierra Leone, regarding the way forward on Monday, October 8, 2018. Meanwhile, the Leone Stars are in camp preparing for the Match in Kumasi,” Ghana Normalization Committee stated in a statement.
However, the win puts the ‘Caps within three points of Real Salt Lake for the sixth and final playoff position.
The visitors raced to an early lead when Teibert converted off some pinpoint passing between Alphonso Davies and Yordy Reyna in the fourth minute, giving the Ontario-born midfielder his first MLS goal since 2013.
Toronto’s Jozy Altidore level it for the home side from a spot kick in the 73rd minute, after the ‘Caps were whistled for a handball inside the box on substitute Jay Chapman’s attempt.
Kamara, who will be leading the Leone Stars attack in Kumasi, tallied his sixth game-winner of the season from a smart counter-attack set up by Reyna and substitute Jordon Mutch.
His winner against Toronto was his 14th of the season.
Whitecaps FC will host Sporting Kansas City at BC Place on Wednesday, October 17 after the FIFA international break.
A win will see them climb further up the playoff ladder.
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by FSL News | 6 Oct, 2018 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone-born Trevoh Chalobah scored the winner for Ipswich Town in their 3-2 away victory against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
As a result, they secured a first win of the season after Trevoh Chalobah’s late goal to eased the pressure on under-fire boss Paul Hurst.
The Ipswich victory comes at their 12th attempt, despite Swansea had made the perfect start when Connor Roberts’ cross was deflected in on eight minutes by Janoi Donacien.
Ipswich scored twice in four first-half minutes with goals from Gwion Edwards in the 27th and Mike van der Hoorn’s own goal in the 31st respectively.
Swansea and the former Ipswich loanee Bersant Celina levelled the scores before Chelsea academy graduate Chalobah snuck an effort in at the far post to lift his side off the bottom.
Ipswich Town manager Paul Hurst said:
“A win has been a long time coming and was unexpected coming here today – we were big underdogs, especially going 1-0 down.
“Swansea are a very good team and caused us, and other teams, a lot of problems.
“They played well and will be disappointed their final ball or final shot let them down.
“We had to ride our luck but we have not had much (luck), so I am not going to complain about that.”
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