by FSL News | 11 Nov, 2017 | African News
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has become the latest to help book his country’s place in next summer’s World Cup, as Senegal beat South Africa 2-0.
South Africa defeated Senegal 2-1 in Polokwane last November, but FIFA ordered a replay because of “match manipulation” by Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey, who was banned for life.
Mane was controversially called into Aliou Cisse’s squad for qualifying double-header this month while he was still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
But with the 25-year-old having returned to fitness to lay on two goals in the Reds’ 4-1 win away to West Ham last weekend, he departed to join Senegal in Polokwane.
Cisse deployed Mane from the start at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, with his side in need of a victory to guarantee their place in Russia in 2018.
And Mane made a bright start on the right flank, with his sumptuous pass providing Hammers striker Diafra Sakho with the opening goal of the night.
Liverpool’s No. 19 was involved throughout in a combative clash, picking up a yellow card in the first half, with Senegal committing 20 fouls over the 90 minutes.
The visitors sealed the victory three minutes after his caution, with midfielder Thamsanqa Mkhize turning the ball into his own net after Mane’s shot was saved.
Ephraim Mashaba looked to change the game from the substitutes’ bench, including bringing on Siphiwe Tshabalala, who famously scored the first goal at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
But Senegal proved too strong, and Mane celebrated a historic victory, with his country’s last time at a World Cup finals coming in 2002.
Liverpool will now be hoping he is permitted to return to Merseyside before Tuesday night’s rescheduled second clash with South Africa, or at least rested.
The Reds sent physio Scott McAuley to join Mane and oversee his training and recovery, as they look to take all measures to avoid a recurrence of the injury that kept him out for five games.
South Africa 0-2 Senegal
World Cup Qualifier, Peter Mokaba Stadium
November 10, 2017 – Goals: Sakho 12′, Mkhize (OG) 35′
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Source: This is Anfield
by FSL News | 9 Nov, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Belgium Under 18s beat the Republic of Ireland 3-0 in their opening game in a four-nation international friendly Tournaments in Murcia Spain at the Pinatar arena.
Ibrahim Kargbo junior, 17, and Alan Mayanga gave Wesley Sonck’s boys a two-goal lead before half-time.
Shawn Adewoye scored Belgium’s third goal in the second half.
Kargbo junior will be in contention to line-up again against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic their remaining two matches of the competition at the Pinatar Arena.
Elsewhere, Czech Republic defeated the Netherlands 4-1 at the same venue on Thursday evening.
Wesley Sonck’s side returns to action for their second game of the tournament on Saturday against the Czech Republic.
Results & Fixtures
9 November Belgium 3-0 Ireland (Murcia, Spain)
11 November (14:00): Czech Republic 1-1 Belgium (Murcia, Spain)
13 November (13:00): Belgium – Holland (Murcia, Spain)
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Photo Credit: Pinatar Arena.
by FSL News | 9 Nov, 2017 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
Fifa has overturned a decision by Sierra Leone’s Football Association (SLFA) to set aside Isha Johansen from her role as president, ruling it ‘invalid’, BBC Sport reports.
Last month, the SLFA Executive Committee ruled that both Johansen (Pictured with Fifa Secretary General Fatma Samoura) and her general secretary, Chris Kamara, should be removed during a trial brought by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
“We deem that the dismissals are invalid and the SLFA President and General Secretary remain in their function,” stated Fifa Secretary General Fatma Samoura.
The ACC may take issue with the decision since its rules state that public officials indicted on corruption charges must be suspended until their case reaches a conclusion.
Johansen and Kamara made their first appearance in a Freetown High Court on 30 October, when both denied any wrongdoing.
The ACC charges relate to alleged misappropriation of donor and public funds, conspiracy to commit corruption offences and abuse of office.
Johansen claims the charges are politically motivated as she pursues a match-fixing inquiry since taken over by Fifa, involving Sierra Leone’s national team.
Football’s world governing body says that the pair’s dismissals were not, among other measures, carried out as required by SLFA statutes.
“We would like to call on all involved parties to, henceforward, collectively focus on the full implementation of the solutions as proposed by the Fifa Task Force in its report signed on 29 September.” Fifa letter to SLFA.
“It appears that the alleged dismissal of both persons has not been carried out in accordance with the applicable provisions of the SLFA statutes in our possession,” read the Fifa letter, dated 7 November.
“In particular, the agenda of the meeting as per its minutes does not contain specific items related to the dismissal of the SLFA Pres and General Secretary, which would be necessary for the executive committee to deliberate on the issue.”
The letter was sent to both Kamara, who in his role as General Secretary informed Fifa of the decision to dismiss him, and to the Confederation of African Football.
“We would like to call on all involved parties to, henceforward, collectively focus on the full implementation of the solutions as proposed by the Fifa Task Force in its report signed on 29 September,” added Senegal’s Samoura.
That month, the Task Force visited Sierra Leone in an attempt to resolve Sierra Leonean football’s impasse and met with the government, the SLFA and aggrieved stakeholders.
Sierra Leone football has been dogged by internal wrangles on issues ranging from integrity checks on current and potential SLFA executive members delayed FA elections and the investigation of match-fixing allegations.
In 2014, eleven officials and four players were suspended more than three years ago by the SLFA for alleged match-fixing allegations, all of whom have denied any wrongdoing.
The case was turned over to Fifa during the Task Force’s visit.
The football fraternity in Sierra Leone hopes a solution can be found to bring peace to the SLFA, arrange elections and instigate local premier league’s return after a three-year absence.
On Wednesday, the ACC case was adjourned for a week after a bereavement suffered by Kamara as his wife lost a baby girl in childbirth on Tuesday.
The case against Johansen and Kamara will now break before resuming on 15 November.
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by FSL News | 8 Nov, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Ibrahim Kargbo junior, 17, the son of former Sierra Leone captain Ibrahim Obreh Kargbo will play for Belgium U18 against Ireland in Murcia Spain at the Pinatar arena.
The Belgian U18 side will commence their four-nation friendly tournament on Thursday and the youngster dad wishes his son and the team ‘Good luck’.
“I wish him and the team good luck,” Kargbo senior told footballsierraleone.net.
“A special hug to my son,” Kargbo senior passionately added
The former Crystal Palace striker has a brighter prospect. He started playing his football with Germinal Beerschot U-9 sides in Belgium.
Kargbo junior, who is still eligible to represent his country of birth, has been named in Wesley Sonck’s squad that is expected to compete against Ireland, Czech Republic and the Netherlands in Spain.
However, he has a very long way to go if he is to follow in the footsteps of his dad but he’s certainly taking steps in the right direction to surpass Kargbo senior
The youngster, who was born in Sierra Leone while his dad was playing for R.W.D. Molenbeek is ready to polish his career in international level.
In a recent interview, he reiterated that he is unsure of playing for his country of birth.
Ibrahim Kargbo senior won over 34 caps for Sierra Leone and at age 35, he is presently plying his trade with English side Dulwich Hamlet F.C.
In June 2016 his son signed a deal with Premier League side Crystal Palace but he is back in Belgium training KSV Roeselare squad where he was spotted by authorities of the Belgian Football Association.
He moved to England from Belgium in 2014 and has had a spell with Reading FC youth system before joining Palace.
He definitely has a goal in his locker.
Here are the Belgium U18 Fixtures
9 November (14:00): Belgium – Ireland (Murcia, Spain)
11 November (14:00): Czech Republic – Belgium (Murcia, Spain)
13 November (13:00): Belgium – Holland (Murcia, Spain)
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by FSL News | 6 Nov, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Midfielder John Kamara has given FK Kaisar Kyzylorda a timely boost by signing a new one-year contract extension at the Kazakhstan top-flight club.
The midfielder has played a pivotal role for Kazakhstan club since moving from Latvian side Rīga FC in January.
The deal has been in the pipeline all season and has today been confirmed, with the Sierra Leone international committing to the club until the end of 2018.
Kamara the enforcer told Football Sierra Leone website: “I’ve put pen to paper and I’m looking forward to my next spell at the club.”
“I’m delighted after 33 top-flight appearances for FK Kaisar and today the club have decided to renew my contract.”
“I’ve learned a lot with this opportunity to play in Kazakhstan, still hungry for more success.”
“Was great to play over 2500 minutes this season,” Kamara added.
After playing a crucial role despite missing out on qualification to Europe, the 28-year-old has also been an integral member of the FC Kaisar squad this year, nailing down the holding midfield spot.
Last season the versatile midfielder was also rated as one of the most effective player in Latvian topflight.
Kamara is the first ever Sierra Leonean to grace the top-flight league in Kazakhstan.
Kamara began his professional career with Tadamon Sour, before joining Greek side Apollon Smyrni F.C in 2012.
He later moved to PAS Lamia 1964 and a spell with Aris Thessaloniki before his move to Riga last year.
He made his senior international debut for Sierra Leone in 2013 and has appeared in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Kamara has won 13 caps for Sierra Leone.
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by FSL News | 6 Nov, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone-born striker Amadou Bakayoko’s 78th-minute header was not enough as the Saddlers were dumped out of the FA Cup by League Two Newport on Saturday at the Rodney Parade venue.
The 21-year-old came off the bench to score for Walsall in their English FA Cup first round 2-1 defeat.
Newport ‘s striker Frank Nouble’s deflected 18th-minute strike put the Exiles ahead and Shawn McCoulsky made it 2-0 straight after the restart.
Substitute Bakayoko pulled one back but it wasn’t enough and proved to be a consolation for the visitors.
Second-half substitutes Maz Kouhyar and Amadou Bakayoko combined to devastating effect, the former crossing for the latter to glance a fine header just inside the far post.
Kouhyar then fired over from 25 yards as the visitors threw the kitchen sink in search of an equaliser, but County held on to reach round two.
“It was an outstanding, disciplined performance.”I am a little bit disappointed with the goal we conceded, Newport manager Mike Flynn told BBC Sports Wales:
“If we cut out those little things, we will be a very good team.
“It was almost a perfect defensive display, we knew they would have a lot of the ball.”
Walsall Team: Gillespie, Kinsella, Guthrie, Donnellan, Leahy, Ismail, Chambers, Edwards, Morris (Bakayoko 62’), Oztumer (Kouhyar 74’), T Roberts.
Subs not used: L Roberts, K Roberts, Devlin, Flanagan, Jackson.
Attendance: 2,701 (399 Walsall supporters).
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -