Kallum Cesay eyes more caps with Sierra Leone

by FSL News | 2 Apr, 2022 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

Tottenham Development squad player Kallum Cesay snatched the headlines with two goals on his debut for Sierra Leone as the Leone Stars defeated Congo-Brazzaville 2-1 in Turkey on Tuesday at the Mardan Stadium.

Speaking for the first time since his headline brace, he told Football Sierra Leone UK that his focus now is to keep developing in the process will enable him to play more games for the country.

“I want to focus on my development at Tottehmham, which will help me move forward. At the same time, I am 100% looking forward to playing more games for Sierra Leone. International experience will be good for my development, ” Cesay told FSL News UK.

Kallum Cesay was one of the new names in coach John Keister’s new looks Leone Stars. He was named on the bench in the Leone Stars’ previous two fixtures in the 3-0 defeat to Togo on Thursday and Liberia’s 1-0 win on Sunday over Liberia. He was then selected to make his debut against Congo Brazaville before he became the star man of the day.

The versatile 19-year-old started on the right side of midfield and capped an impressive performance with both his nation’s goals, one of which came from the penalty spot, as they rounded off the Antalya Cup with another victory.

“I knew I’ll get there but didn’t think in this fashion. Right now, I am happy about my contribution. It goes to show how much hard work pays. I have been waiting for my opportunity, and I knew I had to take it. I had to go out there and do something for myself, my country, for my people.”

He concluded by saying his dream is to play in one of the big leagues in Europe. “Presently happy with my development at Tottenham but my target in getting into the first team or play for one of the top clubs in Europe where I will be happy.”

In the campaign, he has made 21 appearances in all competitions before earning a place on the Tottenham first-team bench twice in the UEFA Europa Conference League, having also featured for our senior side in pre-season.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net

Sierra Leone slump one spot in latest Fifa ranking

by FSL News | 1 Apr, 2022 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Sierra Leone have dropped one place on the latest Fifa ranking announced by the football global body Fifa Thursday, 31st of March.

The Leone Stars moved from 107 to 108 in the World Ranking but maintained 24h on the Africa podium.

The West African nation set up its Mediterranean training camp in Turkey during last month’s Fifa international window in readiness for the 2023 Ivory coast African Cup of Nations qualifiers starting in June.

At the Mardan multi-purpose stadium in Aksu, Antalya, the Leone Stars suffered A 3-0 opening defeat to Togo on March 24th before winning their remaining two matches against Liberia on the 27th 1-0 and Congo Brazaville 2-1 on the 29th.

In Africa, Senegal (20), Morocco (24), Nigeria (30), Egypt (32), and Tunisia (35) completed the five top rankings, ahead of Cameroon (37), Algeria (44), Mali (52), Ivory Coast (53), Burkina (56), and Ghana (60).

Meanwhile, on the Arabic scene, Egypt are now second, only behind Morocco, with Tunisia, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia completing the top five.

Brazil are now in first place, followed by Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, and the Netherlands, making the top 10.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 23 June 2022.

Sierra Leone News – Connect With Us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, writer Lamin Turay in Freetown.

President Brima hails players after successful Mediterranean outing

by FSL News | 31 Mar, 2022 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Sierra Leone Football Association President Thomas Daddy Brima has praised National A team (Leone Stars) players for their incredible performance laced with high-level commitment and comportment during their Mediterranean outing in Antalya, Turkey.

Sierra Leone set up a training camp during this month’s Fifa window as part of preparations ahead of the 2023 Ivory coast African Cup of Nations Qualifiers starting in June.

After the Leone Stars opening 3:0 defeat to Togo at the Mardan Stadium on March 24th, they went on to win their remaining two matches against Liberia and Congo Brazzaville 1.0 on March 27th and 2:1 on March 29th, respectively.

Bolton Wanderers striker Amadou Bakayoko and Tottenham Hotspurs youngster Kallum Cesay were the scorers and accounting for a brace against the Red Devils of Congo.

Speaking to the players at the team’s hotel a day before departure, Thomas Daddy Brima proudly noted, “the trip was a mission accomplished.”

“New team, new captain, gentleman, I am delighted to say the trip was a mission accomplished. It was great to see how you guys recovered from the opening defeat to Togo.”

“Congratulations to the team, team captain Steven Caulker and everyone here in Turkey on behalf of Sierra Leone. Gentlemen, Sierra Leoneans want you guys to qualify the team for Ivory Coast 2023. You have the government, the FA’s backing as together, we can achieve our objectives.”

Head coach John Keister hinted that more names will be added to his squad in the qualifying campaign.

“I am pleased, but we have a lot of work ahead of us guys. I was so eager to see everyone’s performances here in Turkey. Now we have to identify some key players while we continue to work. We are going to add a few more names in the process of developing a solid squad.”

Steven Caulker, the team skipper, vehemently stated that he is wishing everyone a safe trip to their various destination as he advised all players to stay fit.

“Wishing you all a safe journey. We have to stay fit and healthy. The team is going to need every single one of us here in the qualifiers.”

The Sierra Leone delegation is expected back in Freetown in the early hours of Thursday whilst foreign-based players head back to their various clubs.

Meanwhile, SLFA President Daddy Brima and Vice President 1 Nat-Johnson have left Istanbul this morning to join General Secretary Chris Kamara for a FIFA meeting in Qatar.

SLFA Media Antalya, Turkey

Sierra Leone debut for Tottenham youngster Kallum Cesay

by FSL News | 29 Mar, 2022 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Soccer team Profile

Premier League club Tottenham 19-year-old player Kallum Cesay has been handed a chance to prove himself against Congo Brazzaville after being named in Sierra Leone’s first eleven.

Leone Stars in high spirit to end their Mediterranean trip on a good footing when they take on the Red Devils of Congo on Tuesday afternoon at the Mardan Sports Multi-Purpose Stadium in Antalya, Turkey.

The kickoff is at 4 PM local time & 1 PM Sierra Leone time. Head Coach John Keister has made eight changes to the squad that defeated Liberia 1-0 on Sunday.

In goal, FC Johansen keeper Unisa Conteh is in for Ibrahim Sesay. In-form East End Lions striker Alie Conteh to start for the first time in Turkey.

Cambuur duo Alex Bangura and Issa Kallon were named to the squad. In Midfield, Kamil Conteh, Ibrahim Sillah and Kallum Cesay.

QPR defender Osman Kakay to start in right-back while Alex Bangura at left-back. Skipper Steven Caulker and Lamin Conteh maintain their positions in central defence.

SLFA Media in Antalya, Turkey

Sierra Leone seek a respectable ending in Turkey

by FSL News | 29 Mar, 2022 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Leone Stars of Sierra Leone are in a high spirit to wrap up their FIFA sanctioned friendlies on a positive footing as they take on the Red Devils of Congo Brazzaville on Tuesday, March 29, at the Mardan Sports Multi-Purpose Stadium in Aksu, Antalya, Turkey.

Following Congo’s 3-1 defeat to Zambia, they’ll be eyeing a resurgent against Sierra Leone, who defeat Liberia (1-0) on Sunday.

The match will provide coach Keister with a chance to hand some much-needed game time to some fresh faces in the squad.

19-year-old Kallum Cesay has been consistent as a full-back for Premier League side Tottenham Development Squad this term, making 21 appearances in all competitions, might get the nod.

The youngster earned a place on the first-team bench twice in the UEFA Europa Conference League, having also featured for Tottenham’s senior side in pre-season.

Three players from Dutch side SC Cambuur are expected to be part of this tie. Alex Bangura, Issa kallon for Sierra Leone and David Sambissa of Congo Brazzaville.

Both teams have played four times as Sierra Leone leading head to head with two wins, a draw and a defeat since October 1994.

Meanwhile, head coach John Keister has confirmed two of his key defenders will not be available for the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone’s final International friendly on Tuesday.

Defender Yeami Dunia, IF Sirius left-back Kevin Wright, were injured in the triumph against Liberia on Sunday. As a result, they will play no part in Tuesday’s contest.

During Monday’s training session, the team was divided into two groups as most of the players against Liberia were placed to recover whilst the others completed an hour and 15-minutes training.

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Sierra Leone edge Liberia as Bakayoko nets first goal

by FSL News | 27 Mar, 2022 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Bolton Wanderers striker Amadou Bakayoko accounted for his first international goal in the 30th-minutes assisted by FC Johanan defender Lamin Conteh as Sierra Leone defeated Liberia at the Mardan Stadium on Sunday.

Head Coach John Keister made eight changes to the squad that lost to Togo in the opening match on Thursday as he tried to evaluate his new team.

This tie gets off to a fast start between the two West African neighbours as both teams come into the contest back of a defeat. Liberia suffered a 4-0 hammering to Benin while Sierra Leone succumbed to a 3-0 beating to Togo.

After a couple of half-chances in the opening 25-minutes, Leone Stars’ broke the deadlock with a decent cross from Lamin Conteh, that found the head of the big striker who converted his first goal in his second appearance for Sierra Leone.

Leone Stars took a goal lead into the second half, and after the restart, Liberia came on stronger well-composed, playing some good passing football as they tried to restore parity, but the Sierra Leone defence stood firm to register their first win.

Changes Yeami Dunia out for Demba Kamara 45th, Alie Conteh in for Amadou Bakayoko, Issa Kallon in for Augustus Kargbo, Kamil Conteh replaced Jonathan Morsay in the 63rd minutes. Kevin Wright injured was replaced with Alex Bangura in the 79th minute.

The result means a second defeat for English-man Peter Butler’s side in Turkey as he hailed the Sierra Leone resilient.

“I want to congratulate Sierra Leone for a tough encounter – it is refreshing to see Sierra Leone bringing so many young lads from England,” he said during his post-match interview.

“In games like this, we played them to identify talent in the process of building a new squad, but I was proud of my players’ effort.” It was great to see Sierra Leone trying to play good football first half was even, but we played better in the second half.”

Coach Keister was pleased but admitted it was a tough game.

“I think it was a difficult game, but we are both in the same direction in the process of identifying players. At times is not about winning. I am happy for the team and Amadou Bakayoko because this will give him confidence moving forward.”

“Introducing some of these new lads around African football temperament, how to cope with that, is never easy. However, there is a lot of positive looking at the feature.”

Sierra Leone will wrap up their friendly games against Congo Brazzaville on the 29th of March while Liberia takes on Burundi on the same day.

SLFA Media in Antalya, Turkey.