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.

Related Articles

New Tigers female head coach Conteh ready for new adventure

New Tigers female head coach Conteh ready for new adventure

East End Tigers new female technician Victoria Conteh says she cants wait to get started after her appointment by the Premier League side on Thursday ahead of their league contest against last season's runner-up FC Kallon on Saturday. Her appointment is another...

read more
Former Sierra Leone U17 star Samba buried in hometown

Former Sierra Leone U17 star Samba buried in hometown

Sierra Leone December's football News in brief  Former Sierra Leone under-17 star Emerson Samba was buried in his home town Serabu village eastern Sierra Leone, on Friday. Former teammates, friends, families of his home town club Kamboi Eagles paid their last respect...

read more

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.

Related Articles

Benrahma, Mahrez & Slimani named in 25-man Algeria squad

Benrahma, Mahrez & Slimani named in 25-man Algeria squad

West Ham's Saïd Benrahma, Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani, who plays as a striker for French club Lyon - have been named for Algeria upcoming Group A second-round World Cup qualifiers next month. Algerian national team head coach Djamel Belmadi...

read more
Ethiopia and Sierra Leone share spoils in friendly encounter

Ethiopia and Sierra Leone share spoils in friendly encounter

Ethiopia and Sierra Leone shared the points in Thursday's friendly at the Bahir Dar International Stadium. The match was Sierra Leone first since their 1-0 win over Benin on June 15 at the Stade Général Lansana Conté de Nongo to qualify for next year's Cup of Nations....

read more
David Sesay signs with National League side Barnet

David Sesay signs with National League side Barnet

The versatile defender David Sesay has signed a one-month rolling contract with Barnet Football Club. The club says they are thrilled to have secured the services of David Sesay, who is of Kenyan descent. Sesay, 22, was recently training with Harry Kewell’s side and...

read more
AFCON 2021: Ghana Black Stars knocked out by Comoros

AFCON 2021: Ghana Black Stars knocked out by Comoros

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.

Related Articles

Benrahma, Mahrez & Slimani named in 25-man Algeria squad

Benrahma, Mahrez & Slimani named in 25-man Algeria squad

West Ham's Saïd Benrahma, Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani, who plays as a striker for French club Lyon - have been named for Algeria upcoming Group A second-round World Cup qualifiers next month. Algerian national team head coach Djamel Belmadi...

read more
Ethiopia and Sierra Leone share spoils in friendly encounter

Ethiopia and Sierra Leone share spoils in friendly encounter

Ethiopia and Sierra Leone shared the points in Thursday's friendly at the Bahir Dar International Stadium. The match was Sierra Leone first since their 1-0 win over Benin on June 15 at the Stade Général Lansana Conté de Nongo to qualify for next year's Cup of Nations....

read more
David Sesay signs with National League side Barnet

David Sesay signs with National League side Barnet

The versatile defender David Sesay has signed a one-month rolling contract with Barnet Football Club. The club says they are thrilled to have secured the services of David Sesay, who is of Kenyan descent. Sesay, 22, was recently training with Harry Kewell’s side and...

read more
Kamara second youngest ever to score Afcon goal for Sierra Leone

Kamara second youngest ever to score Afcon goal for Sierra Leone

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

Related Articles

New Tigers female head coach Conteh ready for new adventure

New Tigers female head coach Conteh ready for new adventure

East End Tigers new female technician Victoria Conteh says she cants wait to get started after her appointment by the Premier League side on Thursday ahead of their league contest against last season's runner-up FC Kallon on Saturday. Her appointment is another...

read more
Former Sierra Leone U17 star Samba buried in hometown

Former Sierra Leone U17 star Samba buried in hometown

Sierra Leone December's football News in brief  Former Sierra Leone under-17 star Emerson Samba was buried in his home town Serabu village eastern Sierra Leone, on Friday. Former teammates, friends, families of his home town club Kamboi Eagles paid their last respect...

read more
AFCON: Equatorial Guinea end Algeria’s 35-match unbeaten record

AFCON: Equatorial Guinea end Algeria’s 35-match unbeaten record

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.

However, the Elephants must avoid defeat against defending champions Algeria on Thursday (16:00 GMT).

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

Related Articles

New Tigers female head coach Conteh ready for new adventure

New Tigers female head coach Conteh ready for new adventure

East End Tigers new female technician Victoria Conteh says she cants wait to get started after her appointment by the Premier League side on Thursday ahead of their league contest against last season's runner-up FC Kallon on Saturday. Her appointment is another...

read more
Former Sierra Leone U17 star Samba buried in hometown

Former Sierra Leone U17 star Samba buried in hometown

Sierra Leone December's football News in brief  Former Sierra Leone under-17 star Emerson Samba was buried in his home town Serabu village eastern Sierra Leone, on Friday. Former teammates, friends, families of his home town club Kamboi Eagles paid their last respect...

read more

AFCON: Kamara’s rescue Sierra Leone against Ivory Coast

AFCON: Kamara’s rescue Sierra Leone against Ivory Coast

Bo Rangers striker Musa Noah Kamara and Alhaji Kamara scored their first African Cup of Nations goals for Sierra Leone in the 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast at the Japoma Stadium in Douala.

Sierra Leone started very slow as their counterpart Ivory Coast took the lead through Ajax striker Sébastien Haller in the 25-minutes before Musa Kamara’s 55th-minute leveller.

The Les Elephant wasted several chances before Nicolas Pépé, who was named Man of the Match, doubled the scoreline.

A last-gasp equaliser from another Kamara, Randers striker Alhaji Kamara collected a pass from former England International Steven Caulker to slot in as Sierra leone draws parity. 

Both sides played their part in an enthralling match, which saw Ivory Coast miss an early penalty but then lead twice before Sierra Leone hit back.

Keeper Mohamed Kamara, who won the opener Man of the Match, was at his best today after saving Ivory Coast first penalty. After 10 minutes, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire earned a penalty after Wilfried Zaha was knocked down in the box by defender Osma Konate. But the Sierra Leone goalkeeper was up to the task when he reacted well to stop Franck Yannick Kessie’s spot-kick placed in the bottom right corner.

Experienced Kei Kamara made a vital goal-line clearance which could have changed the storyline for Sierra Leone.

Tention was mounting at the end when Cote d’Ivoire, in added time, brought in their skipper Serge Aurier, who was forced to go in goal after goalkeeper Sangare was carried off injured following his mistake.

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

However, the Elephants have a tough mountain to climb against defending champions Algeria on Thursday (16:00 GMT).

What they said

Nicolas Pépé (Cote d’Ivoire): TotalEnergies Man of the Match

” It’s good to have had this trophy but I would have preferred to have the three points of victory to ensure our qualification in the second round this evening. Now we have to go and keep working to make a big game against a big team from Algeria. We have to put out a big performance because the objective is to finish first in the group.

John Keister, Sierra Leone coach:

“Honestly, I wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told me that we would have two points against these great teams of Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Now we have managed to do it, we must continue to work to succeed in our participation in this competition, 25 years later, it is not a question of changing our objective along the way, above all we have a great match to deliver against Equatorial Guinea, after that we will advise, the work must continue especially at the level of the defensive organization, we have conceded far too many chances this evening (Sunday evening) unlike our match against Algeria.

Patrick Beaumelle, Cote d’Ivoire coach:

“Our dressing room remained silent, heads are low, we just gave two points, as a gift. What can be done in terms of organization on this second goal, I still do not understand, what happened, I continue to search, it is also the charm of the Africa Cup of Nations. On the other hand, we must continue to work to improve our efficiency with 18 chances, it was enough to score the 30 per cent to take cover.”

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

Related Articles

New Tigers female head coach Conteh ready for new adventure

New Tigers female head coach Conteh ready for new adventure

East End Tigers new female technician Victoria Conteh says she cants wait to get started after her appointment by the Premier League side on Thursday ahead of their league contest against last season's runner-up FC Kallon on Saturday. Her appointment is another...

read more
Former Sierra Leone U17 star Samba buried in hometown

Former Sierra Leone U17 star Samba buried in hometown

Sierra Leone December's football News in brief  Former Sierra Leone under-17 star Emerson Samba was buried in his home town Serabu village eastern Sierra Leone, on Friday. Former teammates, friends, families of his home town club Kamboi Eagles paid their last respect...

read more