African News Archives - Football Sierra Leone

Ghana’s Bukari defends decision to do ‘SIUU’ celebration

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

Ghana forward Osman Bukari took to Twitter to defend his decision to do the ‘Siuu’ celebration in their Group H World Cup opening 3-2 defeat on Thursday.

The West African nation was trailing 3-1 at Stadium 974 in Doha as substitute Bukari pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute to set up a nervy ending.

While enjoying the moment, the 23-year-old decided to replicate Ronaldo’s iconic celebration.

Bukari has also been criticised on social media for doing the celebration while Ghana was behind in the match.

The Red Star Belgrade winger has responded to those critics.

I have noticed my celebration today has generated comments claiming I was disrespectful towards Ronaldo

This is incorrect. I was overcome by the emotion of the moment of scoring for my country on my World Cup debut leading to my celebration.

My upbringing doesn’t permit me

1/2 pic.twitter.com/5MWy0yaql0

— Osman Bukari (@OsmanBukari9) November 24, 2022

Ghana almost got an equaliser in the dying minutes of the match when Inaki Williams hid behind Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, but slipped as he snatched the ball off the goalkeeper.

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Morocco and Croatia play out goalless draw

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

Croatia and Morocco play out a drab goalless draw in Group F opener
2018 runners-up dominate possession but lack a cutting edge
Next up: Belgium-Morocco and Croatia-Canada on 27 November

Morocco 0-0 Croatia | Group F

Thrills, spills and goals were sadly lacking at Al Bayt Stadium as Morocco and Croatia opened their Qatar 2022 campaigns with a forgettable 0-0 draw.

Chances were in short supply throughout a tense and evenly contested match, with Yassine Bono producing the one major save of note to keep out Nikola Vlasic’s effort late in the first half.

The 2018 runners-up dominated possession, while Achraf Hakimi showed some flashes of brilliance. But when the list of Qatar 2022’s most memorable matches is drawn up, this will not figure near the top.

Belgium and Canada face off in today’s other match in this section, and you can keep up-to-date via our Qatar 2022 live blog.

Key moment

Given the scarcity of clear-cut chances, Vlasic’s effort on the stroke of half-time stood out. Ivan Perisic, who was largely subdued, did some good work in the build-up before Borna Sosa produced a fine cross. But while the on-loan Torino striker looked odds-on to score, Bono came up with a fine save to keep the scoreline blank.

Stat of the Match

By taking to the field 75 days after his 37th birthday, Luka Modric became the oldest Croatian ever to take part in a World Cup match. The Vatreni captain surpassed the record set by Drazen Ladic, who was 35 years and 191 days old – a comparative youngster – when he took the field against the Netherlands in 1998.

Player of the Match

Luka Modric

@FIFA.com

Making their nation proud 🇲🇦

The Atlas Lions impressed in their #FIFAWorldCup2022 opener against 2018 semifinalists 🦁

Who shone brightest for Morocco? 👀

📸: @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/1UL8BPYxzn

— CAF (@CAF_Online) November 23, 2022

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Referee Salima Mukansanga makes history in Qatar

by FSL News | 23 Nov, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Rwandan referee Salma Mukansanga made history in Qatar after she became the first African woman to officiate a men’s World Cup in France 4-1 triumph over Australia in the Group D opener on Tuesday, November 22, at Al Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, in Qatar.

The popular Mukansaga, 34, was the fourth official assisting South Africa’s Victor Gomes, the centre referee, Zakhele Siwela and Lothian Souru Phatsoane.

Mukansanga is among three female referees selected for the first time for a men’s FIFA World Cup alongside Japanese Yamashita Yoshimi and French Stephanie Frappart.

Mukansanga made history at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations when she was appointed as the center Referee for the game involving Zimbabwe and Guinea.

“I’m excited, and this is a privilege for me. I had never dreamed to go to the men’s World Cup,” Mukansanga told FIFA.com after her appointment.

“The first time I was nominated for World Cup was in France for the 2019 Women’s World Cup, so my next target was more at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand in 2023.

“Being appointed to the Men’s World Cup is something new, another opportunity we get. It means FIFA recognises that women are working hard, that we are providing quality refereeing and that we can deliver and reach higher, up to the top of the men’s game.”

Female referee Salima Mukansanga makes history

Images of Rwanda's Salima Mukansanga, who was the 4th referee in France's 4-1 win over Australia on Tuesday.@FIFAWorldCup in Qatar @CAF_Media pic.twitter.com/MBd6f6yCIG

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) November 23, 2022

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Williams, Bakayoko to lead attack against Algeria

by Admin | 19 Nov, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Algeria Vs Sierra Leone – Fujairah Club Stadium, 19 November – 19:00

Amadou Bakayoko of Bolton Wanderers and Augustine Williams from Charleston Battery will lead the Sierra Leone attack against Algeria B side in a warn-up contest in the United Arab Emirates at the Fujairah Club Stadium on Saturday.

After defeats against South Africa and DRC Leopards, the Leone Stars are in the hunt to bounce back as head coach John Keister named a strong side.

In midfield, RB Linense duo twin brothers Alusine & Alhassan Koroma will play in the middle of the pack whilst attacker Emmanuel Samadiya starts on the left and Wycombe Wanderers‘ winger Sullay Kaikai on the right.

Skipper Steven Caulker will partner Bo Rangers Umaru Samura for the first time. A new position for right winger Prince Barrie, who will be playing as a right back. Alex Bangura from Cambuur’s in his usual left-back position.

Sierra Leone continues their preparation for next year’s Cup of Nations qualifiers against São Tomé and Príncipe whilst the Algerians prepare to host the 202 2 African Nations Championship.

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ASFAR dominate CAF Women’s CL 2022 individual awards

by Admin | 16 Nov, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

ASFAR trio, Fatima Tagnaout, keeper Khadija Er-rmichi and forward Ibtissam Jraidi took the top honours at the CAF Women’s Champions League 2022 individual awards.

Tagnaout, the Moroccan midfielder, was voted the CAF Women’s Champions League Best Player of the Tournament for her influential role during the competition.

Tagnaout scored the opening goal from the spot and provided a hat-trick of assists that ensured that ASFAR silenced the South African side to be crowned African champions at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah on Sunday night, November 13, 2022.

Er-rmichi, the Moroccan club keeper, who was edged to the WCL Egypt 2021 and WAFCON 2022 awards by Andile Dlamini got her sweet revenge as she helped ASFAR claim their first-ever title, walked away with the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Jraidi once again showed her clinical strength and superb finish techniques with six goals to claim the Golden Boot.

The CAF Fair Play Award went to Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens, who won the bronze medal on their maiden appearance after a 1-0 victory over Simba Queens in the third-place match, while the Team of the Tournament went to ASFAR following their triumph.

The list was compiled by the CAF Technical Study Group (TSG) composed of Clementine Toure (Cote d’Ivoire head coach), Meskerem Tadesse Goshime (Head of CAF Women’s Football Development), Jacqui Shipanga (Namibia Technical Director), and Lamia Boumehdi (Former Morocco international).

5️⃣ games
5️⃣ wins

🇲🇦 ASFAR Club are the first team to win all their games in a single #CAFWCL campaign 🌟

THE ULTIMATE CHAMPIONS 🏆 #EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/ndpa1XrkoK

— #CAFWCL (@CAFwomen) November 15, 2022

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En-Nesyri in Morocco’s squad despite goal drought

by Admin | 11 Nov, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Striker Youssef En-Nesyri was selected in Morocco’s squad for the World Cup on Thursday despite failing to score a league goal this season for Spanish club Sevilla.

En-Nesyri is experienced with the national team, however, making 49 international appearances and scoring 14 goals, including one at the 2018 World Cup. But he faces competition for a starting place from Abderrazak Hamdallah, who plays for Saudi club Al-Ittihad.

Central defender Nayef Aguerd, who plays for Premier League club West Ham, was also included. Aguerd hurt his knee in the offseason.

Bayern Munich right back Noussair Mazraoui offers good cover for Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi at right back. Hakimi is one of the best attacking fullbacks in world soccer and has pace, skill, good passing and an eye for shooting with eight goals in 53 games for Morocco.

Romain Saiss brings a lot of experience in central defense with 64 international appearances and four solid seasons with Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Turkish team Besiktas this season.

Sofyan Amrabat and Abdelhamid Sabiri bring some solidity to midfield. They both play in Italy, with Fiorentina and Sampdoria, respectively. Marseille midfielder Amine Harit offers strong technical ability can beat players for skill, but he is prone to giving the ball away too much.

If En-Nesyri’s scoring drought continues, Morocco’s main goal threats could come from Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech and Angers winger Sofiane Boufal, who has scored four of his five international goals for Morocco this year. Ziyech has netted 17 goals for Morocco since his international debut in 2015.

Morocco has a tough draw in Group F. The team opens against 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia on Nov. 23 before facing 2018 semifinalist Belgium and then Canada on Dec. 1.

The national team is playing in its sixth World Cup after making its first appearance in 1970. In 1986, the Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the knockout round, losing to West Germany 1-0 in the round of 16.

Morocco:

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla), Munir Mohamedi (Al Wehda), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Wydad AC)

Defenders: Nayef Aguerd (West Ham), Yahia Attiyat Allah (Wydad AC), Badr Benoun (Qatar SC), Achraf Dari (Brest), Jawad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), Roman Saiss (Besiktas)

Midfielders: Selim Amallah (Standard Liege), Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina), Bilal El Khannous (Genk), Amine Harit (Marseille), Yahya Jabrane (Wydad AC), Azzedine Ounahi (Angers), Abdelhamid Sabiri (Sampdoria)

Forwards: Abde Ezzalzouli (Osasuna), Zakaria Aboukhlal (Toulouse), Sofiane Boufal (Angers), Ilias Chair (Queens Park Rangers), Walid Cheddira (Bari), Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla), Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Ittihad), Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea)

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Pos	Club	P	W	L	Pts
1	Bo Rangers FC	34	25	6	78
2	East End Lions FC	34	17	6	62
3	Wusum Stars FC	34	14	10	52
4	Mighty Blackpool F.C	34	13	10	50
5	FC Kallon	34	13	11	49

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