by FSL News | 2 Oct, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Follow Us On Twitter @football_sierra – Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone – the writer @bittar32 – contact bi****@*********************ne.net
FC Zurich defender Umaru Bangura is available to lead Sierra Leone against Ghana for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier doubleheader this month.
Bangura, 30, who scored one of the goals against Kenya in the qualifier opener in Freetown, missed Leone Stars defeat in Ethiopia due to injury.
He has played three times this season for the Zurich-based club since his recovery from injury including their Europa league 1-0 win over AÉK Lárnaka in Greece.
Another notable inclusion is Denmark-based forward Mustapha Bundu.
The graduate from Craig Bellamy’s academy is a potential debutant for Sierra Leone in Kumasi.
FC Riga midfielder George Davies also named in the 21-man squad after been snubbed for the tie against Ethiopia.
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.
Coach Keister also handed a second call-up to Bristol City young goalkeeper Alhaji Sesay and Queens Park Rangers right-back Osman Kakay.
Sierra Leone began the qualifiers with victory over the Harambee Stars of Kenya before suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ethiopia last month.
The Black Stars defeat to Kenya means that all four teams in Group F have three points from two matches.
John Keister’s Squad
Keepers: Solomon Zombo Morris, Alhaji Sesay, Mohammed Nabile Kamara.
Defenders: Yeami Dunia, Umaru Bangura, (C) Osman Kakay, David Simbo, Alie Sesay, Kemson Fofanah.
Midfielders: Mohamed Medo Kamara, Alfred Sankon, John Kamara, Julius Wobay, George Davies.
Forwards: Kei Ansu Kamara, Alhassan Kamara, Mohamed Buya Turay, Kwame Quee, Sheka Fofanah, Christian Moses, Mustapha Bundu.
by FSL News | 1 Oct, 2018 | African News
Ghana Black Stars head coach Kwesi Appiah has named his 23-man squad ahead of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) doubleheader against Sierra Leone this month.
The two West African nations will go head to head on the 11th and 14 of October in their quest to reach Cameroon 2019.
The first match will be staged at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Notable absentees are the Ayew brothers – Crystal Palace on loan attacker from Swansea Jordan Ayew and elder André Ayew again been left out.
But, skipper Asamoah Gyan who has not been in the Black Stars squad since the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Congo in Kumasi, has been handed a recall.
Defenders Jonathan Mensah, John Boye, midfielders Bernard Mensah and as well as Mubarak Wakaso also return for the game.
Both countries lost to Kenya and Ethiopia respectively in September.
Ghana will be hoping to make use of home advantage and strengthen their grip in the race.
Sierra Leone coach John Keister will be determined to bounce back after a 1-0 defeat to Ethiopia last month.
Below is the 23-man squad.
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Lawrence Ati Zigi (Sochaux, France), Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko)
Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Andy Yiadom (Reading FC, England), Lumor Agbenyenu (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew, USA), John Boye (FC Metz, France), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Nicholas Opoku (Udinese, Italy)
Midfielders: Mubarak Wakaso (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Isaac Sackey (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Bernard Mensah (Kayserispor, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Thomas Agyepong (Hibernian, Scotland), Nana Ampomah (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium)
Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Kayserispor, Turkey), Majeed Waris (FC Nantes, France), Emmanuel Boateng (Levante, Spain), Richmond Boakye-Yiadom (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia)
Follow Us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone – The writer @bittar32 – Contact bi****@*********************ne.net
by FSL News | 30 Sep, 2018 | African News
The Malawi Football Association president, Walter Nyamilandu, has been voted to the Fifa Council during CAF General Assembly in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on Sunday.
Nyamilandu defeated South African FA president Danny Jordaan by 35 votes to 18 after two rounds of voting.
The pair had been in a three-way vote along with former Tanzania Football Federation president Leodgar Tenga, who dropped out in the first round.
Nick Mwendwa, the president of Kenya’s Football Federation and Elvis Chetty, president of the Seychelles FA, both withdrew from the election before the first round.
The Fifa Council is the main decision-making arm of world football’s governing body, with members drawn from each of the sport’s regional confederations.
The other members of the FIFA Council from Africa include Ahmad Ahmad (CAF President), Camara Almany Kabele (Guinea), Abo Rida Hany (Egypt), Lydia Nsekera (Burundi), Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia), and Constant Omari (DR Congo).
The Caf position on the Fifa Council became open following the resignation of former Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi who was filmed by an investigative journalist appearing to take a $65,000 bribe from a supposed businessman.
Nyantakyi left his role on the Fifa Council and stepped aside from his roles with Caf including as first vice-president, the most senior figure at the confederation after its president, Ahmad.
As well as the Fifa suspension Nyantakyi also resigned as president of the Ghana FA on 8 June following an executive committee meeting.
Nyantakyi has always denied any wrongdoing.
Follow Us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone
by FSL News | 29 Sep, 2018 | Players Abroad News
By Prince Armani Scott – follow the writer @PrinceArmaniSc2
Khalifa Jabbie, 25, is relishing his new role as Racing Beirut’s midfield enforcer.
The White Castle ace is enjoying his time after long absence off the field, having started their last three games including pre-season matches.
“It was tough to be out for a while, but I’m enjoying playing football again. I’m just delighted to be back,” Jabbie told Football Sierra Leone.
“I am very excited because this opportunity was what I wanted after other clubs did not assure me first-team football but Racing promised first-team playing and it is happening he noted.
“I want to play every week and if I’m doing well I’ll be a mainstay in the manager’s squad.”
Jabbie added, “I feel comfortable here I like the club and the city the management makes me feel at home the place is no different just like Turkey.”
The young and experienced midfielder moved in 2011 from his home club FC Kallon to Europe, joining Norwegian side Fredrikstad FK.
At 6ft 3, Sierra Leone-born midfielder made his international debut in March 2011.
The one-time captain of the Sierra Leone Under-20 national known as the Shooting Stars has recently won major Moldovan silverwares the Championship and Moldavian Cup since 2009.
Follow Us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone
by FSL News | 29 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The writer @bittar32 – Contact bi****@*********************ne.net
FIFA has issued another warning to the Sierra Leone government in a letter dated 28 September addressed to the Minister of Sports Mr Ibrahim Nyelenkeh.
The recent conflict with Sierra Leone began on 12 September, when the Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commission issued instruction via the Sports Ministry that both Isha Johansen and Christopher Kamara to step aside pending an investigation into abuse of office, public and donor funds charges.
FIFA in a second letter this month, has again threatened to suspend the country from all international competitions – due to what they described as undue influence from any third party. Read Related News…Fifa responds to latest twist in Sierra Leone football crisis
Fifa also confirmed they already had a conversation about a possible meeting in Zurich with government which the Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh has denied ever having such arrangement with anyone.
“We draw your attention to art. 14 par 1 let. i) and art 19 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes, which obliges all member association, including the SLFA, to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from any third party.
“Failure to meet these obligations may, according to 14 par. 4 of the FIFA Statues, lead to sanctions as provided for in the FIFA statutes, including a possible suspension, even if the third-party influence was not fault of the member association concerned,” the Fifa’s letter to the Minister stated.
“We request that the SLFA President, Ms Isha Johansen, and the SLFA Secretary-General, Mr Chris Kamara, are allowed to access the SLFA premises without further delay to ensure that the operations of the SLFA, including FIFA-funded projects, are not jeopardized.”
It is worth mentioning that enforcing the ban will stop the national football team of Sierra Leone taking on the Black Stars of Ghana next month in the race to Cameroon 2019.
The letter signed by Fifa’s Secretary-general Fatma Samoura, also reiterated that Fifa’s primary objective is the full implementation of the roadmap as agreed by Government of Sierra Leone, FIFA, CAF and the SLFA.
Johansen’s complicated reign has been tempestuous with a power struggle that has affected the game locally.
Her first four-year term expired on Thursday, August 3, 2017.
Follow Us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone
by FSL News | 27 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Follow Us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone
Following the sad news of the sudden death of Sierra Leonean referee Victor Foday Marah, who died after collapsing on duty in Freetown on Tuesday.
The late 27-year-old was officiating a community league football match between Kroo Bay and Falcon 12 FC.
The Confederation of African Football CAF Referees Committee has sent a message of condolence to the Marah’s family.
“We have learnt with dismay and immense sadness the sudden passing away of Mr Victor Foday Marah a young promising referee.
“On behalf of the President of the CAF Referees Committee, Mr Souleiman Hassan Waberi, we wish to express our deepest Sympathy,” the letter signed by CAF Deputy General Secretary Anthony Baffoe stated.
Meanwhile, Football Sierra Leone understands that the late Marah, who recently attended the CAF’s referee’s course in Cairo, will be buried on Friday.
CAF’s letter to the Sierra Leone Football Association
Sierra Leone | Highlights -