Football Africa Archives - Page 81 of 139

Nigeria kick-off friendlies for S/Leone, Mauritius Afcon qualifiers

by FSL News | 28 May, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

New boss Jose Peseiro to evaluate his players against Mexico on Saturday night (Sunday morning in West Africa) as his Super Eagles side prepares for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.

The tie is the Super Eagles’ first outing since missing a ticket to the FIFA World finals in Qatar in March.

The three-time African champions will battle the CONCACAF champions, Mexico’s El Tri, at the AT&T Stadium located at the AT&T Way in Arlington today, from 7 pm Texas time.

Today’s contest will be the eight meetings between Mexico and Nigeria. In their last seven, five of the games ended in draws.

After the clash with Mexico, the Super Eagles’ contingent will fly into the State of New Jersey tomorrow for their scheduled friendly against Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on Thursday, June 2.

We understand that the two matches have been designed as physical, mental and psychological reawakening for the Eagles ahead of next month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying duels with Sierra Leone and Mauritius in Abuja and St. Pierre, respectively.

African Football News – Connect with us, @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Email: bi****@*********************ne.net.

Sierra Leone to face Cape Verde in Chan qualifiers

by FSL News | 26 May, 2022 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Sierra Leone home-based national side will be seeking their first TotalEnergies African Nations Championship set to be held in Algeria 2022 when they face Cape Verde in July this year.

The qualifiers, as usual, will be played in a home and away contest and the winner of the two-legged matches will face Mali in the next stage.

The draw was conducted at CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, 26 May 2022. Only three teams will qualify from West Zone A.

Sierra Leone was eliminated by Senegal 4-2 on aggregate during the 2018 African Nations Championship qualifiers.

The country was ineligible for the 2020 tournament due to a FIFA sanction.

Morocco won the last competition for the second time after overcoming Mali 2-0 in a thrilling final at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde on February 7 2020, in Cameroon.

The final tournament is scheduled to be played in Algeria from 8–31 January 2023.

West Zone B

All seven teams from the region entered, and three teams will qualify.

Round one:

Ghana v Benin

Round two:

Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso
Togo v Niger
Ghana/Benin v Nigeria

Central Zone

A total of six teams entered, and three will qualify.

Sao Tome e Principe were suspended from the CHAN after withdrawing from the 2020 qualifiers, while Gabon opted not to enter.

Central African Republic v Congo
Equatorial Guinea v Cameroon
Chad v DR Congo

Central East Zone

A total of nine teams entered, and three teams will qualify. Eritrea and Kenya opted not to enter.

Round one:

Ethiopia v South Sudan
Somalia v Tanzania
Burundi v Djibouti

Round two:

Ethiopia/South Sudan v Rwanda
Somalia/Tanzania v Uganda
Burundi/Djibouti v Sudan

Southern Zone

A total of 12 teams entered, and three will qualify.

Round one:

Mauritius v Angola
Comoros v South Africa
Botswana v Eswatini
Seychelles v Madagascar
Malawi v Zimbabwe
Mozambique v Zambia

Round two:

Mauritius/Angola v Comoros/South Africa
Botswana/Eswatini v Seychelles/Madagascar
Malawi/Zimbabwe v Mozambique/Zambia

Race to Algeria 2023 🇩🇿 – Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 to face Cape Verde in Chan qualifiers & the winner will face Mali

First/Second leg matches are to be played in July 2022.#CHAN2022 #SierraLeoneStoriss #Salonetwitter #CHAN2022 @football_sierra @SLFA_sl pic.twitter.com/fP4hEEnDdn

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) May 26, 2022

Follow Us on Twitter @football_sierra, on Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone – The writer Alie Bittar, On Twitter @bittar32 – Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.

The draw for the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers has been held in Cairo - here is second round zone A fixtures

New date for CHAN Algeria 2022 qualifying draw

by FSL News | 25 May, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

The Confederation of African Football has set a new date for the Algeria CHAN Championship 2022 qualifying draw after the Initial draw for April 29 was postponed.

CAF says that the draw will be conducted on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Cairo, Egypt, at 13h00 Cairo time (11h00 GMT) and will be live on all their digital pages.

CHAN is the competition which brings together players who compete in their respective domestic leagues.

Morocco is defending champions after defeating Mali in the final of the 2021 edition staged in Cameroon.

The first tournament was held in 2009; it was played in Ivory Coast and won by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Algerian legend Djamal Menad, the top scorer and winner of the 1990 AFCON with Algeria, will be the draw assistant, joined by CAF Head of Competitions Khaled Nassar.

For the first time in CHAN history, 18 teams will participate in the next final tournament set to take place in Algeria in January and February 2023.

The previous edition took place in January/February 2021 in Cameroon and saw Morocco being crowned as champions.

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

Kenya & Zimbabwe out of Ivory Coast 2023 Afcon race

by FSL News | 24 May, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Kenya and Zimbabwe have been thrown out of the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers slated to commence next month.

The Confederation of African football says, as a consequence of having failed to have their suspensions by FIFA set aside, CAF has confirmed that both Kenya and Zimbabwe will not participate in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 qualifiers.

Both nations were included in the official draw earlier in April 2022 on the condition that the suspension must be lifted two weeks before their first matchday.

Kenya and Zimbabwe, suspended for political interference, have not yet met the criteria required by the FIFA Congress as a prerequisite for lifting their suspension. As a result:

The following will apply as a result of their suspension – The two associations – Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), will be considered losers and eliminated from the competition.

Groups C and K will be composed only of three teams the order of the matches will be maintained in accordance with the match schedule that has been communicated to the teams after the draw.

The first and runner-up teams of those groups will qualify for the final tournament.

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

Serie C challenge excites right-back Demba Kamara

by FSL News | 23 May, 2022 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

After helping his Italian side Rimini FC to Serie C’s automatic promotion, Sierra Leone’s left-back says he is excited ahead of the new task next season.

Italy-based Demba Kamara has challenged himself to be a key man in their campaign next season.

Kamara, 19, who joined the Italian side in August last year, has said putting in the shift during the preseason will be a key part of his development.

“I am proud of this achievement as the champion of Serie D and proud of my team and management. As a player, I am ready to give my all to reach the next level,” Kamara to FLS News.

“In Italy, only hard work, determination, and perseverance will see any player make it to the top level. I think I know what I must do to reach the level I want to be.”

“Now, the focus is to stay fit and keep working with the manager, teammates, keep believing myself.”

The left-back made his Sierra Leone debut during the 27th March international break in the Leone Stars’ 1-0 win over Liberia at the Mardan Stadium in Antalya, Turker.

He was subbed on for injured Yeami Dunia just after the break during Sierra Leone matchday two contest with Liberia.

They suffered a 2-0 defeat in the season final game to Lentigione Calcio, but they have already been crowned Serie D Group D champions after securing 87 points from 38 games.

@SerieCOficial @SerieC_ promotion with @ClubRimini excites Sierra Leone defender Demba Kamara #SierraLeoneStories #FSLNews #FSLMedia @ahmedlashamel @football_sierra pic.twitter.com/YTFZvl8D4r

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) May 23, 2022

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

Demba Kamara celebrating their automatic promotion to Serie C with teammates.

Keeper Mohamed Kamara pens deal with Guinean giant Horoya

by FSL News | 22 May, 2022 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Sierra Leonean sensation of 2021 African Cup of Nation keeper Mohamed Kamara has signed up for Horoya Athletic Club on a two-year deal.

The twenty-time Guinean Champions have confirmed the news on their website.

“Mohamed Kamara, the goalkeeper, has signed up for Horoya Athletic Club for two years.

“Propelled to the forefront of the continental scene after his remarkable performances against Algeria (Man of the Match) and Côte d’Ivoire (Franck Kessié’s penalty save) during CAN 2021 in Cameroon. Mohamed Kamara was playing until then at the East End Lions FC, a Sierra Leonean club based in the capital Freetown,” the club said in a statement.

Kamara, 23, was named Man of the Match in Sierra Leone draw with Algeria on January 11 2022, at the Japoma Stadium, thanks to a brave display that saw him frustrate one of the tournament’s favourites.

He saved a vital spot-kick against the Ivory Coast that saw the Leone Stars rallied to a 2-2 draw at the Japoma Stadium.

Kamara helped East End Lions win the 2018/2019 season unbeaten, four points ahead of FC Kallon.

He was named in the Sierra Leone sqaud for 2023 African Cup of Nation qualifying matches against Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau next month, the 9th and 13th, respectively.

Watch Kamara’s highlights against Algeria below!

Connect with us, @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Email: bi****@*********************ne.net.

@HACofficiel sign Sierra Leone 2021 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations sensation @n_kamara1 @guineefoot @Guineenews pic.twitter.com/PnNIkFNv2I
— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) May 22, 2022