Fifa responds to latest twist in Sierra Leone football crisis

Fifa responds to latest twist in Sierra Leone football crisis

by | 14 Sep, 2018 | African News

The writer Alie Bittar @bittar32 – Contact bi****@*********************ne.net

The world football governing body Fifa has exclusively told Football Sierra Leone (FSL) that they are monitoring the situation in the country after the state’s anti-corruption agency issued a seven-day ultimate to the president Isha Johansen and secretary-general Chris Kamara of the FA to step down.

“FIFA is closely monitoring developments in relation to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) and plans to provide the FIFA Member Associations Committee with an update on the situation at its upcoming meeting on 26 September 2018,” A FIFA spokesperson confirmed to FSL.

“FIFA continues to expect that the agreed roadmap is strictly adhered to by all parties,” the spokesperson continued.

“In this context, the Inquiry Group Sierra Leone will be visiting the country soon to conduct its investigations.”

It could be recalled that in November 2017 Fifa overturned a decision by executive members of the SLFA to set aside Johansen from office. Read More…Despite saga, FIFA still supports Johansen

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says their latest decision is in line with its legal functions which state that public officials indicted with corruption charges must be suspended until acquitted or the proceedings against them discontinued.

The head of the ACC has however stated that if Johansen and Kamara refuse to step down further actions could be taken against them and that includes arrest.

Follow Us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone.

President Weah plays in football friendly for LIB

President Weah plays in football friendly for LIB

by | 13 Sep, 2018 | African News

Liberia president George Weah played in an international friendly for his country on Tuesday – at the age of 51.

The former African footballer and Fifa World Player of the Year award, featured for 79 minutes of a 2-1 home defeat by Nigeria in Monrovia.

Liberia arranged the friendly to retire their number 14 shirt, worn by Weah at his playing peak.

The former AC Milan striker, sworn in as president in January, received a standing ovation as he was substituted.

Nigeria fielded a reasonably strong team, including Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi and fellow midfielder Peter Etebo, of Stoke City. Ndidi’s club-mate Kelechi Iheanacho featured as a second-half substitute.

Etebo took the corner from which Simeon Nwankwo headed Nigeria into a 2-0 lead after Henry Onyekuru – on loan at Galatasaray from Everton – had scored the opener. The home side pulled one back with a late Kpah Sherman penalty.

At the age of 51, Liberia’s George Weah returned to international action in a friendly against Nigeria on Tuesday.

At the age of 51, Liberia’s George Weah returned to international action in a friendly against Nigeria.

Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone 

WAFU Zone A: Sierra Stars in ‘a must-win battle’ against Senegal today

WAFU Zone A: Sierra Stars in ‘a must-win battle’ against Senegal today

by | 13 Sep, 2018 | African News

FREETOWN: By Sarh Morris jr – follow the writer @morrisjr88

Sierra Leone national U-17 side, Sierra Stars will engage host Senegal in a must-win match today at the ongoing West Africa Football Union (WAFU) U-17 qualifiers tournament.

The team does not only need a victory but a wider goal merging if they are to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.

Unlike Sierra Leone Senegal only needed a draw to walk their way to the semi-finals after a 1-0 victory against Guinea Bissau while Sierra Leone suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Bissau boys.

Sierra Leone had to wait until the 39th minutes to get an opener. Abubakarr Kanneh sent a long ball from the near side to find Mahamadu Lamin who shot with his right-footed shot went inside the post and at the back of the net.

The second half started with Sierra Leone playing with ten men after defender Ajay Moses suffered a cut on his head before the half-time and couldn’t continue the game. A change was only affected during the 54th minutes.

However, Guinea Bissau equalizer and winning goal came through Cristiano, who got the first with a shot from the six-yard that hit the inner of the woodwork and find the net before Claudio scored from a long-range effort inside the 18-yard box, to end the hopes of Sierra Leone in the match.

Meanwhile, the winner of the tournament will book the sole ticket to play in the 2019 Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Tanzania.

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Sierra Leone Coach: “The experienced players did not perform at all”

Sierra Leone Coach: “The experienced players did not perform at all”

by | 10 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone

By Ishmail Saidu Kanu in Hawassa, Ethiopia – © SWASAL with support from the Ministry of Sports

Sierra Leone coach John Keister has expressed his dissatisfaction over the lacklustre performance of his ‘experienced’ and ‘senior’ players after Sunday’s defeat.

The Leone Stars suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Walias of Ethiopia in the 2019 AFCON Qualifiers on Sunday at the Hawassa International Stadium.

Ethiopia’s Captain Getaneh Kedebe Gibeto scored the only goal of the match after Leone Stars conceded a penalty in the 35th minutes courtesy of Yeami Dunia.

The West African team performed below expectation leaving Sierra Leoneans both in Ethiopia and at home in a disappointing mood.

Speaking during the post-match Press Conference, John Keister said he was disappointed at the performance of the team giving a bigger share of the blame to the ‘experienced’ players.

“I don’t think the bigger and experienced players performed at all…and that’s my disappointment. We just have to go back and work as hard as we can…try and get the right players back in and take it from there”, the 48-year old noted.

He commended the Ethiopians for their exceptional performance on match day 2 while expressing determination ahead of their match with Ghana in a month’s time.

Ethiopian Manager Abraham Mebratu expressed his delight after securing the three points in his first competitive match as Head Coach of the 1962 Champions.

All four teams in Group F have three points each, leaving the group wide open.

The Sierra Leone Delegation will depart for Freetown on Monday 10th September. 2018.

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#QAFCON2019 Ethiopia slap Sierra Leone in Hawassa

#QAFCON2019 Ethiopia slap Sierra Leone in Hawassa

by | 9 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone

The Walias of Ethiopia revived their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone at the Hawassa Stadium on Sunday.

Ethiopian Premier League striker Getaneh Kebede converted a spot kick in 35 minutes to give the host team a deserving lead.

Tunisia referee, Sadok Selmi awarded a penalty to the Ethiopians after Ahmed Reshid fouled in the box.

As a result, the Walias now back in contention with all four teams now on three points from two matches in Group F.

The host team undoubtedly enjoyed the better share of play and dictated terms but their decision making in the final third was poor.

Sierra Leone tried to fight back before the break but entered the halftime a goal down.

The Ethiopians came out in the second half in high spirit, but their shooting in front of goal was poor as they failed to add to their goal tally.

John Kamara, who was introduced replacing Sint Truiden attacker Mohamed Buya attacker Turay, came very close to get the equalizer for Sierra Leone in 67th minutes.

Sierra Leone away drought continued – their last away win comes on the 08 September 2002 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations Group 7 qualifiers.

Ghana still top of the group with Leone Stars now third behind Kenya.

Sierra Leone next match is against Ghana Black Stars in October 2018 while Ethiopia host Kenya in another crucial contest.

Sierra Leone Coach John Keister:

“I don’t think the bigger and experienced players performed at all.”

“That’s my disappointment. We just have to go back and work as hard as we can.”

“I am going to do my best to get the right players back in and take it from there.”

He commended the Ethiopians for their exceptional performance on matchday 2 while expressing determination ahead of their match with Ghana in a month’s time.

Ethiopian Manager Abraham Mebratu expressed his delight after securing the three points in his first competitive match as Head Coach of the 1962 Champions.

Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook & Instagram Football Sierra Leone.

"Ethiopia beat Sierra Leone the away drought still on "

Ethiopia beat Sierra Leone the away drought still on

#QAFCON2019 Group F standings #QAFCON2019 Group F standings

Debut for Buya – Kei, Crespo to lead Sierra Leone attack against Ethiopia

Debut for Buya – Kei, Crespo to lead Sierra Leone attack against Ethiopia

by | 8 Sep, 2018 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Vancouver Whitecaps attacker Kei Kamara and Panetolikos new acquisition Alhassan Crespo Kamara, are expected to lead the Sierra Leone attack in Ethiopia on Sunday in Hawassa, Football Sierra Leone understands.

Inform Sint Truiden striker Mohamed Buya Turay, who scored on his debut in their 1-1 draw against Lokeren in August will make his Sierra Leone debut.

Buya, 23, was also part of the Leone Stars team that defeated Kenya in June 2017 but was named on the bench.

Bristol City young Sierra Leonean goalkeeper, who is dreaming of playing in the English Premier League, will be named on the bench.

Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations Group F 2019 Matchday Two encounter between host Ethiopia and Sierra Leone is vital for both nations in the race to the continental big stage in Cameroon next year.

Coach Keister is going with David Simbo and Alie Sesay in central defence in the absence of FC Zurich defender Umaru Bangura.

Mohamed Medo Kamara and Alfred Sankoh to play in midfield.

Here is the Leone Stars predicted XI:

Keeper Zombo Morris

Defenders: Hassan Milla, David Simbo, Alie Sesay, Yeami Dunia

Midfielders: Medo Kamara, Alfred Sankoh, Kwame Quee

Strikers: Kei Kamara, Alhassan Kamara, M Buya Turay

Subs: Goalkeeper: Alhaji Sesay 

Defenders: Abu Suma, Osman Kakay (QRR, England) 

Midfielders

Michael Lahoud FC Cincinnati, USA), (John Kamara FC Kaisar Kazakhstan), Julius Wobay Unattached).

Attackers

Sheka Fofanah Al-Nasr Oman, Christian Moses Viborg FF Danmark.

African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.

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