by FSL News | 29 Jul, 2021 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News
- Egypt and Ivory Coast have reached the quarter-finals of the men’s football tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on Wednesday, while South Africa was crashed out following a third straight defeat.
- Egypt qualified for the Olympic football quarter-finals for the first time since London 2012.
The North Africans will play Brazil after a 2-0 win over Australia to secured second place in Group C ahead of Argentina, who played a 1-1 draw with group winners Spain.
Ivory Coast also qualified for the knockout stages as runners-up behind Brazil after they shared spoils with Germany 1-1 in Group D.
Egypt and Ivory Coast will be aiming to become the third African nation to win gold at the Olympic Games following Nigeria 1996 and Cameroon 2000.
Ghana won bronze at the 1992 Games while Egypt have finished fourth on two occasions, in 1928 and 1964.
Apart from their gold in Atlanta 96, Nigeria won both silver and bronze at the Olympics in 2008, and 2016 respectively.
Tokyo 2020 men’s quarter-final fixture schedule and kick-off times Saturday 31 July (all times local).
17:00 JST – Miyagi Stadium – Spain v Côte d’Ivoire
18:00 JST – Ibaraki Kashima Stadium – Japan v New Zealand
19:00 JST – Saitama Stadium – Brazil v Egypt
20:00 JST – International Stadium Yokohama – Republic of Korea v Mexico
by FSL News | 28 Jul, 2021 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News
Serbian Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has been reappointed as Uganda head coach on a three-year deal barely a fortnight after he parted company with the Football Association of Zambia.
The Serbian, who departed Zambia on July 17 following seventeen months, will take Uganda post from August 1st.
His immediate task is to oversee the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifying matches set for September. Uganda is in Group E alongside neighbours Kenya, Rwanda and Mali.
A statement by the Ugandan FA reads: “FUFA names Milutin Sredojević the new Head coach of Uganda Cranes, on a three-year renewable contract effective August 1, 2021.”
“The Head coach has a contractual mandate to name his backroom staff.”
African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone
by FSL News | 28 Jul, 2021 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News
Ishmael Koroma has left Eskilstuna City FK to join Norwegian outfit Elverum FC on an 18-months contract as he bids to revive his career.
He made nine appearances for Eskilstuna City during the first half of the Swedish Division 2 Södra Svealand before moving to the Norwegian third division side.
Koroma, 25, will be going straight into the Elverum side when they face Funnefoss / Vormsund on August 7, away from home.
Before joining Eskilstuna, the Sierra Leone defender made 16 appearances and was part of the Vasalunds side gain promotion to the Swedish Superettan.
Koroma says he is delighted and hope to play more first-team football.
“I am pleased and can’t wait to get started in training with my new teammates,” Koroma told FSL News.
“I am looking to playing football outside Sweden. Norway is a good place to start. Not a top-level, but I am happy to revive myself again.”
“Delighted and so looking forward to this new experience, and hopefully, it pays off.”
Koroma was part of the Sierra Leone side during the 2022 World Cup preliminary against Liberia in Sep 2019.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer John Bangura.
by FSL News | 27 Jul, 2021 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News
- Ephraim Lisk is a determined youngster who is in search of playing top-level football soon.
- Born in North West London in England, hailing from Sierra Leonean parents, the agile youngster started his career in Sunday League and District football for Brent before being spotted by Nicky Barnes and Gary Pitt.
- He told Football Sierra Leone of how Barnes and Pitt played a significant role in his development.
“During Nicky Barnes camp in Potters Bar in 2016, both coaches helped me massively. They were a big part of my development as a player and as a person,” Lisk explained.
After the camp, Nicky Barnes and Gary Pitt sent him to the QPR development centre at age 14, where he met Keith Prince, the head of development and Gary Karsa during his time at QPR.
“I also met George Adekola, my old goalkeeping coach and Perry suckling, the present Hugo Lloris goalkeeping coach. They were both helpful as I learnt from them a lot.”
“After signing my first academy contract during 2017/2018, I was at Queens Park Rangers for two years. During this time, I played against teams likes Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Watford etc.”
At the start of the 2019/2020 season, he joined Aldershot Town from QPR. Following his impressive performances, he was able to make his debut U23 debut at 16 years.
Furthermore, he started training with the first team and solidified himself with the U23 first team.
“The same season, I finished with the most clean-sheet at age 17.
“During the end of 2020/2021 seasons, I was part of the Aldershot Town FC U23 (SUB FL) side they went to play the Suburban Football League final. Unfortunately, we lost 3-2 to Slough Town FC U23, but I was part of the standout players of the season.”
Lisk, 18, presently training with the Aldershot first team as the first choice U23 keeper.
“My aim this season is to break into the first team and make my debut. Signing my first professional contract will means everything to me.”
Aldershot Town says they have aimed to provide a platform for individuals to become employable, well rounded, and eventually progressing into the first-team squad.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net
by FSL News | 23 Jul, 2021 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News
After helping SC Cambuur to Dutch Eredivisie promotion, Alex Bangura has said playing in the highest level of Dutch football is an experience he is relishing.
Bangura, who was born in Sierra Leone, started his development with DRL and Feyenoord at the youth level before he made his debut for SC Cambuur on 4th February 2019 against Jong AZ.
The left-back, who has played as left winger most of his career, is excited about his first start in the Dutch top tier.
“Yes, the new season will be my first in the first division in Holland. An experience I am looking forward to developing myself to be a better player,” Bangura told FSL News UK.
“When I started to play football, the Dutch topflight was always what I was watching in my younger days. So, to play it this coming season is a dream to become a reality.
Answering a question concerning his chance of playing for Sierra Leone, he said, “Let’s face it if Sierra Leone football federation calls me up for the national team. I would be honoured to play for Mama Salone.”
Bangura, however, noted his focus is on club football. “At the moment, that is not an issue, yet, I don’t concern myself with that.”
The newly promoted SC Cambuur will kick start their Dutch campaign against FC Groningen at home on August 15.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32/Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 22 Jul, 2021 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News
- Qatari side Al Sadd SC have confirmed reaching an agreement to sign Ghana Black Stars skipper Andre Ayew.
- The Ghanian forward departed Swansea City after his contract expires last month. He played in the Swansea Championship play-off final 2-0 defeat against Brentford.
“Al Sadd have reached an agreement to sign Ghanaian star Andre Ayew. The player will arrive in Doha in the morning to complete the routine procedures, followed by the signing of the contract and the official announcement,” the club said in a statement.
Ayew, 31, featured in 106 games and scored 35 goals since rejoining Swansea from West Ham for an initial £18m in January 2018, will be joining the 7th club of his illustrious career, which has seen him play in France, England and Turkey.
He first joined Swansea on a free transfer from Marseille in 2015, and after being impressive in his first top-flight season with 12 goals in 35 appearances, he joined West Ham for £20.5m.
He returned 18 months later in what remains a club-record deal but could not save Swansea from Premier League relegation.
Ayew spent the following season on loan at Fenerbahce but came back to Swansea in 2019 and has ended the last two campaigns as boss Steve Cooper’s leading scorer with 16 goals.
African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone | Highlights -