Steven Caulker urges Sierra Leone to regroup ahead of Afcon 2023

Steven Caulker urges Sierra Leone to regroup ahead of Afcon 2023

The former England International, Steven Caulker, has been impressive after three caps to his name as one of the new icons for Sierra Leone.

The one-time England defender has enjoyed a remarkable start to life with the Leone Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations. He is one of the standout performers for the West African Nation and has been admired by many despite the disappointing 1-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea on Thursday at the Limbe Stadium.

Sierra Leone only needs a point, but veteran striker Kei Kamara with a glorious chance saw an 84th-minute penalty saved by Jesus Owono.

Midfielder Pablo Ganet helped Equatorial Guinea to reach the last 16 after he curled in from the edge of the area to net the only goal seven minutes before the break.

Speaking after the defeat, Caulker remained positive about the squad and talked about the potential in the Sierra Leone team ahead of the next Qualifiers. The former Liverpool defender noted that it’s time to regroup for upcoming competitions.

“If you look at the quality within our squad, some quite did not make the pitch, some were on stand after our three games, but there are so many talents in our squad. We will come again for sure we will regroup and come again,” Caulker told Journalists in the CAF mix zone tribune.

Caulker was pleased with the team’s attitude against Algeria and the Ivory Coast. When asked about the new draw for Afcon 2023, he said, “For us did not matter who we draw. We have shown that we can compete against the biggest nations. Right now, we have to regroup and come together as a team.” We are all disappointed, but we have to come back stronger.”

See what a fan and teammates said about Steven Caulker.

“Steven Caulker, looking like he is playing with his heart in the Green, White and Blue, Ishmael Bangura told FSL in Limbe.

“Steve is a big plus for us,” added experienced ex-Bolton Wanderers midfielder Mohamed “Medo” Kamara. “He’s adapted so well to being with the other lads, and he’s one of the senior players now.

“Caulks is an amazing guy,” 24-year-old Queens Park Rangers full-back Osman Kakay told ESPN. “I’ve played with him at QPR before, and playing with him now is a great experience. “I’m so happy he’s part of our national team.”

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

Sierra Leone suffer Afcon last sixteen blow after defeat

Sierra Leone suffer Afcon last sixteen blow after defeat

Sierra Leone’s veteran striker Kei Kamara failed to convert a late penalty to scupper their chances of reaching the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations as they lost 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea on Thursday.

Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast are both through after final Group E Matches. Sierra Leone was awarded a last-minute penalty, but Equatorial Guinea’s 20-year-old goalkeeper Jesus Owono saved Kamara poorly taken effort.

Pablo Ganet’s 38th-minute strike ensured Equatorial Guinea finished second in Group E and progressed, but Sierra Leone might have gone through as one of the best third-placed finishers if they had forced a draw.

Winger Kwame Quee saw red after a second yellow to add salt to injury for John Keister’s side late on in the game.

The result also means the Comoros Islands are through as one of the best third-placed finishers after their surprise 3-2 win over Ghana on Tuesday.

Equatorial Guinea finished the first round with a second successive win and six points, one behind group winners Ivory Coast. Sierra Leone was third on two points with defending champions Algeria bottom of the standings.

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

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AFCON history awaits: Our objective is to go through – John Keister

AFCON history awaits: Our objective is to go through – John Keister

Sierra Leone coach John Keister is optimistic that his side will make the round of sixteen. Speaking ahead of Leone Stars final Group E match, he noted that the prime objective is to reach the knockout stages of this year’s African Cup of Nations.

Keister side will be eyeing a historic lace to come of the group stages for the first time, and their counterparts are in search of their third in as many appearances for Nzalang Nacional.

The Leone Stars will face a different proposition on Thursday at the Lime Stadium. Equatorial Guinea – like Keister’s team, has shown strong character against Ivory Coast and Algeria.

This will be the first encounter between Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations.

What they said

John Keister (Coach, Sierra Leone) “This is a tight group. Our objective is to go through. The team spirit drives our team, we want to qualify. We adapt our strategy to the players we have, to play in an uninhibited way while respecting the opponent, a big team like Equatorial Guinea.”

Steven Caulker (Defender, Sierra Leone) “Twenty-five years ago, a generation represented Sierra Leone well on the international stage. It is a source of pride for us to take over. We showed tactical discipline and braveness. I saw the images of celebration and popular jubilation in the country, that’s the magic of football, reconciling a whole country.”

Both sides have gained respect and admiration in the tournament in Cameroon. Sierra Leone came from behind twice to draw parity against the Ivory Coast whilst Equatorial Guinea ended Algeria’s long unbeaten run.

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

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AFCON 2021: Ghana Black Stars knocked out by Comoros

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Ghana have been knocked out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after losing 3-2 to Comoros on Tuesday night.

The Black Stars needed to win the game to stand any chance of progression from Group C, but despite a late rally, fell to their second defeat of the tournament at the Roumde Adjia Stadium.

The match got off to a thrilling start as El Fardou Ben Mohamed made history for Comoros after just four minutes, scoring his nations first ever AFCON goal. 

Problems then worsened for Ghana when captain Andre Ayew was shown a straight red card after 25 minutes. Ayew dived in after a loose ball on Comoros keeper Salim Ben Boina, and following a VAR review, was sent off. 

After the interval, Ahmed Mogni’s sensational solo effort doubled the lead for Comoros who looked to be in the driving seat with half an hour to play.

Despite playing with 10 men, Partey’s side went on to produce some of their best football of the tournament, scoring twice in eight minutes to level the game.

First, Richmond Boakye headed home from a corner to give Ghana hope. Then, Partey flicked on towards Alexander Djiku inside the box who bundled home with 13 minutes to play.

Any hopes of a dramatic victory for Ghana were quickly snubbed though as Mongi scored his second of the game in the 85th minute, turning the ball home from close range to secure a famous win for Comoros. 

CAF – African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone in Douala, Cameroon.

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Striker Musa Noah Kamara wrote his name into the continental history books as the second-youngest ever to score in the African Cup of Nations for Sierra Leone at age 21 after Mohamed Kallon South Africa 1996.

Kamara made a brilliant start to life in his first continental showpiece with a fantastic effort to level the Sierra Leone scoreline against Ivory Coast on Sunday at the Japoma Stadium.

He calmly slotted home with his left foot on the top left-hand corner in the 55th minute of play, restoring parity for the Leone Stars after the team had gone 1-0 down to Cote D’ivoire from a twenty-five minute 1st half Sebastian Hallier finish. 

“It feels good scoring the first goal for my country in this year’s AFCON after 25 years. A dream come true, and all this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my fans”, Kamara told Journalist in the media mix zone tribune.

“My fans are my heroes. They deserve the accolade, they are the ones who stood firm and requested my inclusion. I was always looking for the opportunity to pay them back with a goal, and thank God I did not disappoint”. 

Kamara is the top scorer in the Sierra Leone top-tier football league with nine goals and will be hoping to continue helping the team against Equatorial Guinea on Thursday.

Ahead of the group final matches on Thursday, Cote d’Ivoire on top with four points, Equatorial Guinea three points, Sierra Leone on two points and Algeria on a single point.

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

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Equatorial Guinea ended Algeria’s 35-match unbeaten run on Sunday at the Japoma Stadium through Esteban Fernandez only goal and set up a cracker against Sierra Leone.

Fernandez guided his effort past Rais Mbolhi to beat the defending champions, and in the process, stop their impressive unbeaten run.

As a result, the holders must win against the Ivory Coast in their final Group E match to progress to the last sixteen of the continental showpiece.

The Nzalang Nacional came into the match following their narrow defeat to Cote d’Ivoire, and they battle with the highly fancied Algerians.

Goalkeeper Owono Ngua had to be at his best to keep out the Desert Foxes who brought in Slimani and Brahimi as they look to rescue their unbeaten run.

The Desert Foxes came into the match on the back of their goalless stalemate against Sierra Leone in the first match.

A positive result for the Nzalang Nacional ahead of their decider against Sierra Leone, who played to a 2-2 draw against the Ivory Coast earlier on Sunday.

Sierra Leone with two points from two games, while the Ivorians top the group with four points to their name.

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