Skip to main content

Posts

NSA Boss, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Applauds His Countrymen...

Executive Director of Sierra Leone's National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, has expressed his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Sierra Leoneans for throwing their support behind Leone Stars until they could beat Ivory Coast 1-0 in an impressive Afcon return leg show in Liberia on Tuesday. On Friday, when Leone Stars succumbed to a 4-1 loss against the Ivorians, the NSA Boss was quick to apologise to Sierra Leonean fans for the poor result and said all was not lost. He appealed for a new hope ( https://youtu.be/Ohhdr4avAeA?feature=shared) . That call for rekindled spirits resonated with his motivation of the Leone Stars players to give the return leg match their all. Tuesday's win spoke to his resilience in the face of trial and his equanimity in his display of leadership. The win is a composition of good leadership and unfettered determination to penetrate the walls of the African Nation's Cup Defending Champions. From hopelessness at the peak of ho...

CAF Reacts to Nigeria, Libya "Music and Chair" Travel Ordeal

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued an official statement regarding the recent travel disruptions affecting the national teams of Nigeria and Libya ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. Both teams encountered significant logistical challenges that hindered their preparation and travel for crucial qualifying matches. CAF announced that the matter has been referred to its disciplinary board for a thorough investigation. The governing body emphasized that a proper inquiry will be conducted to determine the causes of the disruptions, and appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings. In the statement, CAF expressed concern about the impact of the travel chaos on the teams and the integrity of the competition, stressing that ensuring fairness and smooth operations during the qualifiers remains a priority. The outcomes of the investigation could result in sanctions or corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Fan...

Leone Stars Revive AFCON 2025 Hopes with Crucial Win Over Ivory Coast

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray Sierra Leone’s national football team, the Leone Stars, secured a vital 1-0 victory against Ivory Coast at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, keeping their hopes of qualifying for AFCON 2025 alive.  The decisive goal came in the 85th minute from star striker Bakayoko, delivering Sierra Leone’s first victory over Ivory Coast in 11 years.  The win was a crucial lifeline for Sierra Leone in their campaign, with just two more matches left in the qualification stage.  The Leone Stars will next face Zambia at their adopted home in Liberia before a final showdown against Chad.  Two victories from these fixtures would guarantee Sierra Leone a spot in the AFCON 2025 tournament.  Head coach of the Leone Stars Amidu Karim praised the team’s resilience, stating, “This win was for the people of Sierra Leone. We fought until the very end, and now we have two more crucial games to seal our spot in AFCON 2025.”  Fans across Sierra Leone remain hopeful that this victory will ...

Bakayoko's Decisive Strike Seals Leone Stars' 1-0 Victory Over African Champions in Monrovia

By: Abdulrahman Barrie Leone Stars triumphed over the African Champions, Ivory Coast, with a 1-0 win in Monrovia on October 15, 2024. Amadou Bakayoko's decisive goal late in the second half secured the crucial three points for Sierra Leone in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.  This victory comes as a significant boost for the team, who were under immense pressure after suffering a 4-1 defeat in Abidjan.  Coach Amdidu Karim and his boys showcased tremendous determination and tactical discipline throughout the match. The defense held strong, fending off several attempts from the Ivory Coast's formidable attackers. Bakayoko's goal was a result of a well-executed counter-attack, demonstrating the team's resilience and strategic prowess.  The win has revitalized the Leone Stars' bid for AFCON qualification, propelling them up the group standings. This pivotal victory has injected new hope and enthusiasm into the squad. Fans in Sierra Leone ce...

Brookfields Defy Wins POTAFA Cup in Style

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray  In a thrilling final yesterday, Brookfields Community defied all expectations to claim their first-ever Potafa Championship, edging out Belliar Community in a tense post-game penalty shootout.  The highly anticipated clash, held in front of an enthusiastic crowd, saw Brookfields rise to the occasion, silencing critics and etching their name in the tournament's history. The first half was dominated by Belliar’s star players Oga Musa and Lansana, who both created multiple goal-scoring opportunities. Brookfields’ goalkeeper Mohamed proved to be a formidable force, making crucial saves to keep his team in the match. His heroic performance set the tone for what would become a battle of nerves. After a goalless regulation time, the game was decided by penalties. Belliar’s Maicon saw his attempt saved by Mohamed, who continued his outstanding display between the posts.  The decisive moment came when Keita of Brookfields calmly slotted home the final penalty...

Leone Stars Face Uphill Battle Against Ivory Coast in Crucial AFCON Qualifier

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray  All roads will lead to the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Liberia on Tuesday, October 15, when Sierra Leone’s (Leone Stars) takes on the Ivory Coast in a critical AFCON 2025 qualification match.  Despite being an away fixture for Ivory Coast, the Ivorian Elephants are coming off a dominant performance in San Pedro, where they secured a convincing victory, setting the stage for another potential goal fest. But for Sierra Leone, this game presents a do-or-die situation. A win for Ivory Coast would see them extend their lead with 12 points, all but guaranteeing their spot in the tournament while  Sierra Leone could further sink at the bottom of the group, with just 1 point on the board so far, if they suffer another defeat to the Ivorians. The pressure is on for Coach Amidu Karim and his technical team to find a solution to stop the Ivorians lethal attacking force. Thus, Sierra Leone's defense will need to be at their best to keep them at bay evev though ...

AFCON 2025: Libya, Nigeria "Hospitality Music and Chair"

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray Libya and Nigeria's football teams have faced significant travel difficulties ahead of their AFCON 2025 qualification matches, sparking concerns over the handling of logistics and fair play in the tournament. Last week, Libya's national team traveled to Nigeria to honor their fixture, only to be met with extended delays at the airport. Reports indicate that after the long wait, the team had to endure a lengthy drive to their hotel, causing frustration and fatigue ahead of their crucial game. I n a turn of events yesterday, Nigeria's team arrived in Libya for their return fixture, only to encounter similar obstacles. The Nigerian squad reportedly faced long delays at the airport and were met with inadequate transportation, as a single mini-bus was dispatched to transport the team to their accommodation. The incidents have raised questions about the treatment of visiting teams in AFCON qualifiers, with fans and commentators alike calling for the...