by FSL News | 19 Jan, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone ranking in photo
Sierra Leone have moved down to 98th position in the first 2018 FIFA world rankings announced on Thursday.
The national men’s soccer side finished 2017 as the 97th best-ranked team in the world.
In Africa, Leone Stars position unchanged as the 23rd best on the continental pecking order – they’re static on 360 points.
Their highest ever rankings came in August 2014, when they were ranked 50th globally.
Sierra Leone last official competitive match was against Nigeria during the WAFU Cup of Nations in September 2017, they were defeated 2-0 by Nigeria’s home-based Eagles at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Ghana.
Meanwhile, Tunisia have replaced Senegal at the top of the continent global ladder.
Africa’s top 10 (World position in brackets)
Tunisia (23) Senegal (24) Egypt (30) Morocco (39) DR Congo (43) Burkina Faso (44) Cameroon (45) Ghana (50) Nigeria (51) Algeria (57)
Germany maintained top spot of a static top ten, while Iceland (20, up 2) are the only team to enter the top 20, with the Netherlands (21, down 1) dropping out.
Follow Us On twitter @football_sierra @bitta32 Photo Credit Lansana Kamara
by FSL News | 18 Jan, 2018 | African News
CAF: Striker Walaal Musa was the hero for Sudan in the quarter-final following a 1-0 win over a spirited Mauritania from Group A.
The victory saw the Desert Hawks qualify for the last eight joining host Morocco who had earlier beaten Guinea 3-1 at the same venue in Casablanca.
The African Nations Championship (CHAN), is the continent tournament for locally-based players only.
Corentin Martins’ chargers started the better side as Hameya Tanjy headed El Mostapha Diaw’s inviting cross over the Sudan goal with eleven minutes on the clock.
Mauritania came close again from a set piece Sidi Mohamed Bilal stabbing wide Alassane Diop’s curling effort.
Babacar Bagili pounced on a misplaced back past in the Sudanese back but he couldn’t beat the rushing keeper and wasted the opportunity much to the frustration of manager Martins.
Walaal Musa punished the wasteful Mauritanians with a clinical stylish finish from captain Mohamed Tahir’s delightful assist.
Moulaye Ahmed Khalil found space on the right but his near post cross was cleared just wide of Akram Abdeltam’s goal by towering defender Omer.
Sudan hangs on to secure their second win of the tournament and book a place at the quarters, their first since 2011 when they hosted the tournament.
Morocco and Sudan have six points each with Guinea and Mauritania pointless in that order.
Reactions
Logarusic Zdravko Hrvatsko (Head Coach, Sudan)
I must congratulate Mauritania because they also have their chances but could not take it. Sometimes you have to be lucky a bit so we’re lucky to be facing Morocco in the last game. My target is the next game so let me enjoy this moment.
We’re not here as tourist; we came here to compete so let’s see what will happen in next game.
Corentin Martins (Head Coach, Mauritania)
On Saturday I was disappointed with my forwards but today I cannot blame them. Tonight, it was a competition and that will not change against Guinea because we have defend the Mauritanian flag. We did not refuse to play football; we did play and you can see we created chances.
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by FSL News | 17 Jan, 2018 | Players Abroad News
Head coach of Sierra Leone national team, John Keister has said he will heartily welcome Derby County defender, Curtis Davies to the country’s national team, Leone Stars.
The 32-year-old defender who in April 2014 first expressed his desired to represent the West African nation recently dropped another big hint that he would like to play for the Sierra Leone national team before he retires from football.
With the former Hull City defender continued burning desire to play for Sierra Leone, the national team head coach does not only applauded Davies’s decision but promise to do further follow-ups in ensuring the player’s dream became reality.
“We need the best to play for our national team and for me, this is welcome news for us and hopefully we are doing work towards that,” Coach Keister said.
“It is good he has expressed his interest to play for us, we will try to contact him as we wanted the best players lined-up for our national team. We must try and engage him now to know much about his desire and further information.”
Coach Keister reaction came just days after Davies in his recent interview with Michael Butler of the Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom said: “I’ve thought about representing my dad’s country but the timing was wrong.
“The team was banned from travelling to certain games because of Ebola. I remember there was a game against Seychelles that was cancelled a few years ago.
“There were fears anybody – a kit man or bus driver – could have passed on the disease. I would like to represent Sierra Leone before I retire but I don’t want to put my club career on the line – even if I went to the Africa Cup of Nations, I could lose my place at Derby,” added the former Hull City defender.
Curtis Davies was born in Leytonstone, London, to an English mother and a Sierra Leonean father. He started his football career with Wimbledon as a trainee at the age of 15.
Follow Us On twitter @football_sierra – By Sahr Morris Jrn
by FSL News | 14 Jan, 2018 | Players Abroad News
The Saddlers took their chances as they defeated Oxford United 2-1 with goals from their Sierra Leonean striker Amadou Bakayoko and Erhun Oztumer on Saturday, to registered their first win in six matches.
Against the run of play, Walsall took the lead after 33 minutes as Luke Leahy drilled across the six-yard box for Amadou Bakayoko to bundle home the opener his first in the new year.
The home side doubled their lead shortly after the restart in the 48 minutes as Erhun Oztumer comfortably benefiting from Leahy’s long ball.
The visitors were back in it on 70 minutes as Alex Mowatt curled home a fine free-kick from just outside the box, but his goal was not enough to nick a point away from home.
The Saddlers next English League One outing is away to Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
Walsall (4-1-4-1): L Roberts, Kinsella, K Roberts, Guthrie, Leahy, Chambers, Oztumer (T Roberts 86), Dobson (Cuvelier 77), Flanagan (Morris 46), Edwards, Bakayoko.
Subs not used: Gillespie, Devlin, Kouhyar, Jackson.
Oxford United (4-4-2): Eastwood, Tiendalli, Mousinho, Martin, Carroll, Henry (van Kessel 79), Mowatt, Ruffels, Payne (Napa 68), Thomas (Mehmeti 75), Obika.
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by FSL News | 13 Jan, 2018 | Players Abroad News, Video & News
The Sierra Leone-born was unveiled on Wednesday following a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2018.
He met his new teammates before agreeing on his loan move and trained on Thursday as Viborg continue preparations for the second phase of the NordicBet League.
The striker in his interview expressed optimism and is relishing the opportunity with his new Danish side. An extremely exciting time for the Sierra Leonean.
He scored nine goals in the first half of this season while playing for Vendsyssel FF.
Viborg FF will have to improve if they are to gain promotion to the Superliga, they’re 10 points adrift from league leaders Vejle BK.
Full interview below.
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by FSL News | 12 Jan, 2018 | African News
Three-time African Champions Hafia FC, are expected to touch down in Freetown on Friday, January 12, for their international friendly schedule with the Mighty Blackpool.
The Guinean top-flight side has lined up two friendly matches against Mighty Blackpool and most likely taking on East End Lions or Home-based Leone Stars, Football Sierra Leone understands.
After their five days tour in Freetown, they will also take on Malian side Réal de Bamako in Conakry in another friendly.
Hafia will use these friendlies as groundwork ahead of next month’s CAF Confederation Cup first leg outing away to Energie de la SBEE FC in Benin.
Sierra Leone international Prince Barrie, who signed a two-year deal with the Guinean side in September 2017 says he is excited about his new club coming to his hometown.
“Hafia Football club, we are coming to Sierra Leone for a visit. Hope to show my teammates all around Freetown and show them that there are more talented players in Sierra Leone. Hope to come home safe,” the attacking midfielder posted on his Facebook account.
Barrie was part of the fifteen new acquisitions signed by the club for the new campaign.
Follow Us On twitter @football_sierra By Lansana Kamara
Sierra Leone | Highlights -