by FSL News | 31 May, 2018 | African News
The Black Stars of Ghana, leaders of Group F in the race to 2019 AFCON in Cameroon beat Japan 2-0 on Wednesday in Yokohama.
The match was a warm-up for Japanese ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup to be staged in Russia where they will face African side Senegal in the Group H.
Stand in captain Thomas Partey got the opener in Ghana’s 2-0 over Japan in an international friendly played in the Nissan stadium.
Emmanuel Boateng scored his Black Stars debut goal when he converted from the spot in the 51st minute to increase the tally for Black Stars.
Coach Kwesi Appiah also used the game to test his team’s preparedness for their upcoming AFCON 2019 qualifying matches later this year, after missing out on next month’s World Cup.
German-based Akwasi Okyere, Nana Ampomah and Isaac Sackey all got their debut for the Black Stars in the match against the Blue Samurai.
The Black Stars will now face World Cup-bound Iceland on June 7 in another friendly.
Meanwhile, Ghana will play Sierra Leone twice later this year as both nations targeting a place in Cameroon next year.
AFCON 2019 Group F table
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by FSL News | 27 May, 2018 | African News
The Egyptian Football Association is “optimistic” Mohamed Salah will be able to play in the World Cup in Russia.
The distraught winger left the Olympic Stadium in Kiev in a sling after being brought down by Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos in the Champions League Final on Saturday.
Salah is expected to be out for about two weeks, according to the Egyptian government’s minister of state for youth and sports, Khaled Abd Elaziz.
“Diagnosis detailed shoulder-ligaments and the expected duration of treatment God willing is two weeks,” Minister of state for youth and sports, Khaled Abd Elaziz wrote on Facebook.
Salah still likely to be named in the team’s final squad, which will be announced June 4.
Egypt begins the World Cup against Uruguay on June 15 before facing hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia in Group A. 2018 FIFA World Cup Groups & Schedule
Kop boss Jurgen Klopp said at the time: “He would have played on if anything was possible. He has gone for an X-Ray but it doesn’t look good.”
Salah, 25, immediately underwent scans and the Reds’ medical staff were left optimistic over his condition, according to Egypt’s national team doctor.
Adam Lallana replaced Salah just 30 minutes in following a challenge with Ramos.
The Real captain dragged him to the ground moments earlier and Salah landed awkwardly on his shoulder.
He tried to play on but quickly realised his night was over, falling to the ground and crying.
Fans who believe he intentionally set out to injure Liverpool’s key man have blasted Spain star Ramos, 32.
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by FSL News | 26 May, 2018 | Players Abroad News
Last year’s Tennessean boys soccer player of the year Michael Jones accomplished quite a bit in his time at Grace Christian Academy.
Jones, who — along with his seven younger siblings from Sierra Leone — was adopted by Mike and Hayley Jones of Thompson’s Station in 2013, shattered records at Grace Christian, amassing 152 goals and 52 assists in three seasons.
He scored 68 goals as a senior last spring.
Michael Jones, now a rising sophomore at Trevecca, never have to play in a state tournament. But he was in attendance on Tuesday at Richard Siegel Park as the Lions, who feature three of his siblings — junior defender Samuel and eighth-grade midfielders Levi and Malachi — made their state tournament debut with a 10-1 Class A quarterfinal rout of Douglass.
Malachi scored three goals and an assist. Levi added a goal and two assists.
“I tell (my younger siblings) that this opportunity might just come once, so you have to take advantage,” said Jones in photo, who led the Lions to region semi-final appearances in 2016 and 2017. “Just go out and be yourself with the chance to glorify God through the way you play the game.”
Michael Jones, who scored one goal and provided four assists as a freshman at Trevecca, may no longer officially be part of the five-year-old program, but that hasn’t kept him from supporting the squad every chance he gets.
“Every time that I don’t have a game or have stuff to do like homework I’m always at their games,” Jones said.
He has plenty to cheer about, too.
While none of his younger siblings has racked up goals at quite the same pace Michael did, Samuel, Levi and Malachi have certainly helped fill the void left by their older brothers’ graduation.
The Lions are far from a three-man show, though.
“Obviously when you lose a player of Michael’s caliber — 68 goals — that’s a huge concern,” Grace Coach David DeFatta said. “But when we looked at our team, we said in the beginning of the year that we’re going to have four or five guys that can score 15 to 20 goals, instead of all 68 coming from one player.
“We’ve done that.”
Photo: Samuel Jones from Grace Christian Academy in action against Douglass during their Class A boys soccer quarterfinals game at Spring Fling in Murfreesboro.
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Michael Murphy USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
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by FSL News | 24 May, 2018 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone international Donald Wellington scored a brace as his Ghanaian top-flight side Karela United impressively defeated 2017 league champions Aduana Stars 2-1.
Karela FC continued their scintillating form at home in Week 13 of the top division at the Crosby Awuah Park on Wednesday.
Wellington’s brace was his third goal of the season in as many games.
The 25-year-old delivered an outstanding performance as his two goals helped United moved to third on the table – two points adrift of league leaders Medeama SC.
The league newcomers United opened the scoring in the 65th minute as their Sierra Leone native fired them in front.
Aduana Stars came out stronger after conceding the goal and deservedly nailed the equalizer in the 79th minute through Yahaya Mohammed.
But with the match looking likely to end in a draw, Wellington popped up with a 93rd-minute winner to condemned Aduana to a third straight defeat in all competitions.
Wellington signed for Karela United FC in January this year one on a two-year deal from East End Lions.
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by FSL News | 23 May, 2018 | African News
Ghana Football Association president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, who arrived back in the country on Wednesday, is expected to face an investigation ordered by President Nana Akufo-Addo, Football Sierra Leone understands.
Nyantakyi, who is also the first vice-president at the Confederation of African Football, is accused of fraudulently using the president’s name.
The GFA boss has been caught on video using the name of the president and other senior government officials to induce “potential investors” to part with money.
The association and Nyantakyi had not responded to the allegations by Wednesday morning.
The video was recorded by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and is due to be broadcast on June 6.
“The president after consultations is fully satisfied that a prima facie basis has been established for criminal investigations to be launched into the conduct of the president of the football association,” Akufo-Addo’s deputy chief of staff Samuel Abu Jinapor said.
Anas reported on alleged corrupt practices among the Ghanaian judiciary in 2015 that led to the suspension and in some cases dismissal of some judges.
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by FSL News | 20 May, 2018 | African News
Tyronne Ebuehi, 22, has completed his move from ADO Den Haag to Portuguese giant club Benfica.
Ebuehi, who is one of the top performers in the Eredivisie, has been on Benefica radar for a while and on Saturday 19 May, finally signed on a five-year deal.
Ebuehi, who will be playing outside the Netherlands for the first time confirmed his move to the Lisbon-based outfit via his official Instagram account.
“Can’t wait to start here at this beautiful club. 5 years ago, I played amateur football and look where I am now. Grateful for where I am now, but there is still a long way to go!”
“From me, fans can expect work. I want to help the team fight for their goals,” said Ebuehi.
“I hope to be in Nigeria squad for the World Cup. It is the dream of any player. I want to be in Russia, “the young defender told the club’s website.
Ebuehi was born in the Netherlands and made over 78 appearances for ADO Den Haag.
The defender has made just two appearances for the Super Eagles.
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