by FSL News | 6 Oct, 2018 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone’s Amadou Bakayoko scored twice to help a late Coventry City turnaround at the Valley in a Sky Bet League One match on Saturday.
Lyle Taylor’s penalty had the home side ahead at the interval, but a brace from substitute Amadou Bakayoko was all that matters to see the visitors returning to the Midlands with all three points.
Bakayoko scored his third of the season in the last 10 minutes with the winner coming in added-time.
The former Walsall man nipped in to head home in the first minute of added-time and sentence the South Londoners to their first home defeat since August.
The 22-year-old, who joined the Sky Blues on a two-year deal scored 18 times over the course of the last two seasons for Walsall.
He was in the initial list of players named by Sierra Leone coach John Keister for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches but pulled out of the squad.
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by FSL News | 6 Oct, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
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Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commissioner boss, Francis Ben Kaifala, has again maintained that the ACC position remains the same.
“Our position remains the same. There is no further comment,” Francis Ben Kaifala told FSL news.
Read Related News…‘We have survived Ebola’ Francis Ben Kaifala ACC’s boss says after FIFA warning
It means Sierra Leone’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Ghana is now uncertain.
“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 said.
The embattled SLFA boss Johansen and Sec-Gen Chris Kamara, have been warned that they will face additional charges of “obstruction”, by the Country Anti-Corruption Commissioner, should they fail to step down following an investigation into corruption-related charges.
According to Sierra Leonean law, when charged with certain anti-graft offences, that the duo are being charged with, it is mandatory for one to step down pending the completion of the investigation.
The duo was charged over a year ago on corruption-related charges. Both Johansen and Kamara have denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, a few days ago the ACC boss also used his Twitter account to respond to the FIFA letter addressed to the Sierra Leone Minister of Sports.
“FIFA has to reposition itself to fit into the dynamic paradigm of its member associations’ countries tackling corruption on its spinal cord to deal it a debilitating blow at once,” Francis Ben Kaifala posted.
He added, “FIFA is no example in that regard. Sierra Leone is on the move and can’t be held down any longer!” Ben tweeted.
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by FSL News | 5 Oct, 2018 | African News
World football governing body, FIFA, has suspended Sierra Leone from all international competition amid allegations of government interference in its football federation.
By the 11 October, if the ban is not lifted Sierra Leone’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Ghana will be cancelled – with their return game at home (Freetown) against the Black Stars on the 15th also in danger.
Read related news…Fifa gives second warning to Sierra Leone government
This decision comes after a recent letter from FIFA to the Minister of Sports of Sierra Leone to express grave concern about the removal of the SLFA President and the SLFA General Secretary and to request that both be allowed to access the SLFA premises without further delay to ensure that the operations of the SLFA, including FIFA-funded projects, are not jeopardised.
“The suspension will be lifted once the SLFA and its recognised leadership (led by SLFA President, Ms Isha Johansen, and SLFA General Secretary, Mr Christopher Kamara) have confirmed to FIFA that the SLFA administration, premises, accounts and communication channels are under their control once again,” Fifa said.
Following its suspension, the SLFA has lost all its membership rights as defined in art. 13 of the FIFA Statutes. The SLFA’s national and affiliated club teams are no longer entitled to take part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.
This also means that neither the SLFA nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any development programmes, courses or training from FIFA or CAF. Moreover, and in accordance with art. 16 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes, other member associations may not entertain sporting contact with the SLFA during its suspension.
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by FSL News | 5 Oct, 2018 | Players Abroad News
Umaru Bangura played his second Europa League Group A match to help FC Zurich scraped past Bulgarian side Ludogorets 1-0 on Thursday in Zurich at the Stadium Letzigrund.
It was Bangura’s fourth match this season for the Zurich-based club since his recovery from injury including their opening Europa league 1-0 win over AÉK Lárnaka in Greece.
“A very important goal and victory for us ahead of our third group match against Germany side Bayer 04 Leverkusen later this month,” Bangura told Football Sierra Leone.
A brilliant header from the Zurich’s captain Victor Pálsson from an excellent cross from the left breaks the deadlock 84th.
The Icelandic international was ecstatic with his goal – and so was his manager.
A good result for Swiss club, who will be thrilled with six points from six, putting them joint-top of Group A, behind Bayer Leverkusen only on goal difference.
Ludogorets now face a tough mission to escape from their group but should take heart from the fact that they matched the home side for most of a very even game.
After their 1-0 win at Larnaca in the opening match, the Zurich have managed to continue. But a complicated double confrontation against Bayer Leverkusen (6 points too) is now awaiting them.
Photo: FC Zurich’s Sierra Leonean defender Umaru Bangura (L) and Ludogorets’ Brazilian forward Junior Brandao vie for the ball during the UEFA Europa League group A football match.
What’s next?
The Swiss-based club will travel to FC Thun for their top-flight outing on Sunday before they resume Europa League duties when they host Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Thursday, 25 October.
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by FSL News | 4 Oct, 2018 | African News
Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Felix Annan has set his sights on forcing his way into coach Kwesi Appiah’s first team plans against Sierra Leone in Kumasi.
The youngster is hoping to impress the Black Stars technical team for a starting spot after earning his second call-up to the Ghana team.
The Porcupine Warriors is one of the best shot-stoppers in the Ghana Premier League.
He is the only locally-based player named in coach Appiah Black Stars’ 23-man squad.
Ghana host Sierra Leone on 11 October at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi in the third round of the group stage qualifiers before travelling to Freetown to for the second leg contest four days later.
“My main ambition after getting another call-up to the national team is to start against Sierra Leone,” Annan told Fox FM.
“The last time I was invited to the squad, I didn’t get an opportunity to play but this time around I’m going to work hard when we begin camping and I hope I will be given the chance to prove myself.
“I have what it takes to start because being the number one goalkeeper of the biggest club in the country exposes you to several challenges which prepare you for future challenges.
“All that I need now is that the technical team must have faith and try me in the post,” he added.
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by FSL News | 3 Oct, 2018 | African News
Al Ahly of Egypt secured a 2-0 win over ES Setif in the 2018 CAF Champions League semifinal first-leg game at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Tuesday.
The victory means the Egyptian top side grab a 2-0 lead on aggregate ahead of the second-leg match which will be played in Algeria in three weeks’ time.
In the other semi-finals, Primeiro scored late on at home to beat Esperance of Tunisia and take a 1-0 lead in the tie.
Primeiro will make history if they win their semi-final.
No Angolan team has ever made the final of the continent’s top club competition.
Primeiro coach Zoran Manojlovic was highly critical of the refereeing but delighted with the win.
“The refereeing was terrible and it hurt us a lot, but we managed to beat one of the best clubs in Africa,” he said.
“I do not fear to play Esperance in Tunisia – we continue to dream of reaching the final.”
The second legs of both ties will take place on Tuesday 23rd October.
Al Ahly 2
ES Setif 0
Al Ahly: El Shenawy, Fathy, Ashraf, Maâloul, Coulibaly, Ashour (Sherif 75′), Soliman (Mohsen 84′), Mohamed, Hamoudi (Tawfik 67′), Mohareb, Azarou.
ES Setif: Zeghba, Rebiai, Ferhani, Bedrane, Radouani, Djabou (Banouh 90’+2), Sidhoum (Saadi 85′), Djahnit, Aiboud, Bouguelmouna, Ghacha (Bakir 46′).
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -