Author: FSL News

* Established in 2014 © 2021 FSL MediaFootball Sierra Leone - all you need to know about the game in Sierra Leone and Sierra Leonean footballers at home and abroad.Founded by Alie Ahmed Bittar in 2014, Bittar is one of the leading journalists from Sierra Leone with over 25 years covering football.The award-winning website also covers football from across the continent.We aim to continue pursuing up-to-date reports for our readers in Sierra Leone and across the globe.FSL Media is always informative, accurate and consistent. Make Football Sierra Leone Your daily news feed.Follow our social media pages on Twitter @football_sierra, Instagram, Linkedin and Facebook. Permission to use our content is granted subject to crediting our website as the source.Contact: Managing Editor Alie Ahmed Bittar - Email: bittar@footballsierraleone.com - Tel: +44 (0) 7861141119
CAF unveil seedings for Cote d’Ivoire 2023 draw
by FSL News

CAF unveil seedings for Cote d’Ivoire 2023 draw

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has unveiled seedings for the Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 official Draw set for Abidjan on 12 October 2023.

The seedings were based on the latest FIFA Rankings – as all 24 qualified teams were allocated to four pots. CAF noted that four points will be used for the draw.

Pot 1 – as expected, hosts Cote d’Ivoire together with the continent’s highest ranked nations: Morocco, who were semi-finalists at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022; current African Champions Senegal, 2004 champions Tunisia – 2019 champions Algeria – and record-time champions Egypt.

Second best-ranked teams are in Pot 2 – Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso.

Pot 3 includes South Africa, Cape Verde, Guinea, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania.

Pot 4 has Guinea Bissau, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola, Gambia and Tanzania.

Cote d’Ivoire to host the 34th edition of the biennial competition from January 13 to February 11.

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African News CAF 

CAF unveil seedings for Ivory Coast 2023 draw next month
CAF unveil seedings for Ivory Coast 2023 draw next month
Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu was an unused substitute in Plymouth Argyle's 4-1 defeat to Bristol City on Saturday but could make his official debut this weekend.
by FSL News

Mustapha Bundu could make debut against Norwich

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu was an unused substitute in Plymouth Argyle’s 4-1 defeat to  Bristol City on Tuesday but could make his official debut this weekend.

Plymouth Argyle hosts Norwich for their first meeting since the 2008-09 campaign, with the Canaries winning both matches that season.

The winger seems pleased to have finally started working with his new teammates and told the club’s website about his delight.

“My first day’s been really good,” said Mustapha after their first session with his new teammates.

 “The players, everyone around the club has welcomed me pretty well. It is been easy to join the guys.

“It’s been a bit stressful, but both parties knew we had to be a bit patient because of all the visa stuff.

“I know it’s a very good club, a very loving club. The people are close, and a massive fan base travels all around the country to support the team which has been through a lot over the last few years.

“I said yes to the offer, to the opportunity to take another step in my career.”

Norwich have only won five of their 32 league visits to Plymouth Argyle but did win their last game there in September 2008 under Glenn Roeder.

Plymouth Argyle have won 22 of their 26 home league matches since the start of last season (D1 L3), which is the most of any side within the top four tiers of English league football in that time.

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SLFA 'B' Licence Coaching Course commences
by FSL News

SLFA ‘B’ Licence coach training commences 

On Thursday, September 21, the Sierra Leone Football Association commenced a two-week License ‘B’ coaching training at their SLFA Secretariat at Kingdom, Freetown.  

SLFA affirmed that the training is mainly to enhance the capacity of grassroots coaches selected from across the country as part of the strategic plan of the SLFA Technical Department for the development of football in Sierra Leone.

Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh, Technical Director Ibrahim Bah, Schools Program and Facility Officer Samuel Davies and other officials were part of the opening ceremony.

In his keynote address, AGS-Benson Bawoh urged the over 60 participants to take the training with the utmost seriousness to take home the most coaching knowledge possible.

He disclosed that “as part of SLFA plans to develop coaches, CAF Technical Experts will soon visit Sierra Leone to asses and certify local Coaching Instructors ahead of the commencement of the CAF D, C, B, A and A Pro License courses”.

He further mentioned that the key aspect of developing football is coaching education, which he said will bring about sound technical decisions in Sierra Leone football.

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Sierra Leone hit new low in latest Fifa ranking
by FSL News

Sierra Leone hit new low in latest Fifa ranking

Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars have plummeted four places from 120 in July to 124 in the latest Fifa men’s ranking for September released on Thursday.

John Keister’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Guinea-Bissau as they wrapped up the African Cup Nations qualifiers.

Despite Sierra Leone’s early goal, the Djurtus Wild Dogs of Bissau defeated Sierra Leone 2-1 at the Estádio 24 de Setembro to defeat their visitors as they wrap up the AFCON 2023 qualifiers.

Sierra Leone’s best rank was when they moved to 50th place in the FIFA World Rankings and 7th in Africa – their highest ever placing on 14 Aug 2014 under the supervision of Irish coach Jonny Mckinstry.

In Africa, The Carthage Eagles of Morocco are the best-ranked team. Senegal’s Terangha Lions of Senegal, Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, D

The foxes of Algeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt make the top five.

World champions Argentina retained their number one position on the ranking. France, Brazil, England and Belgium complete the top five teams in the world.

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Sierra Leone hit new low in latest Fifa ranking after Guinea-Bissau defeat
Sierra Leone hit new low in latest Fifa ranking after Guinea-Bissau defeat
Middlesbrough confirm Alex Bangura's hamstring injury
by FSL News

Middlesbrough confirm Alex Bangura’s hamstring injury

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has revealed new acquisition Alex Bangura suffered a hamstring injury on his debut. (Alex Bangura of Middlesbrough (Image: Gareth Evans/News Images)

On Saturday, Sierra Leone International Alex Bangura made his Middlesbrough debut in their 2-1 defeat against Blackburn Rovers at Edwood Park.

The left-back was forced in the 68th minute in Saturday’s defeat as he missed the Middlesbrough Championship 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.

Carrick said after Tuesday’s draw, “It is a hamstring injury that Alex has picked up. We’re still assessing that one in terms of how bad it is, but obviously he wasn’t right for tonight.”

After his Boro debut, his manager Carrick had said that he hoped it would just be a cramp as they were waiting for test results when he last spoke to the media ahead of Tuesday evening’s trip to Hillsborough.

Alex Bangura Middlesbrough FC English Championship

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Alex Bangura suffers debut injury
Alex Bangura suffers debut injury