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Liberia knockout Sierra Leone in CHAN first round qualifiers
by Football Sierra Leone

Liberia knocked Sierra Leone out of CHAN first round qualifiers

On Friday, the home-based national team of Liberia advanced to the next round of the CHAN qualifiers after achieving a 3-2 aggregate victory against Sierra Leone.

In the second leg, Lawrence Kumeh scored the equalizer for Liberia in the 52nd minute after the home-based Leone Stars took an early lead with a goal from Momoh Lappo Dumbuya in the 22nd minute at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium.

Sierra Leone, striving to improve their poor record in this tournament, was unable to overcome the deficit from the first leg and was consequently eliminated from the competition.

Liberia will face Senegal in the second round, which is set to take place in December.

In the first leg, Liberia defeated Sierra Leone 2-1. Lawrence Kumeh opened the scoring early for Liberia, but Sierra Leone equalized through Kalokoh Suffian in the 22nd minute.

However, an own goal by Alhpa Kabia of Sierra Leone in the 58th minute secured the victory for Liberia. The tournament is scheduled to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in February 2025.

The most recent tournament was held in Algeria, where Senegal defeated the host team in the final to claim their first-ever title.

Opening defeat for Sierra Leone U17 in WAFU AFCON qualifier
by Football Sierra Leone

Opening defeat for Sierra Leone U17 in WAFU AFCON qualifier

Sierra Leone’s U-17 national team started their WAFU A U-17 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tournament with a 1-0 loss to Mali. (Photo WAFU)

The only goal was scored in the eighth minute of the first half by the Malian wearing the number 10 jersey. He collected a clever pass and struck inside the area to beat the Sierra Leone keeper.

This loss puts Sierra Leone in a tough spot, but the team is determined to fight for a chance to advance.

Their next match is against Mauritania on Saturday, and winning is crucial for their hopes of moving forward in the tournament.

Senegal opened the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Liberia on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in Thiès, Senegal. Group A now consists of three teams: Senegal, Liberia, and Gambia, after Guinea’s disqualification.

Senegal quickly took control, scoring early goals by Mouhamed Dabo in the 6th minute and El Hadji Sow in the 8th minute.

Liberia responded strongly in the second half, reducing the deficit with a goal from Moses Nyanfore in stoppage time (90th + 4 minutes).

Group B matches on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, featuring Mali’s win over Sierra Leone. Mauritania played to a goalless draw against Guinea Bissau in the day’s last game.

WAFU A makes U-Turn as Sierra Leone U 17 reinstated after medical retest
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

WAFU makes U-Turn as Sierra Leone U17 reinstated after medical retest

Sierra Leone has been cleared to participate in this year’s Under-17 WAFU AFCON qualifiers in Senegal after a successful appeal re-qualified both Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau.

The youth tournament leading to the U17 AFCON begins today, with host nation Senegal facing Liberia at 16:00 at the Lat Dior de Thies stadium. The complete fixtures will be announced again by the WAFU media department in due course.

On Sunday, WAFU announced that Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea would not take part in the tournament due to age cheating, according to the new rule outlined in Article 27.4 of the Under-17 African Cup of Nations regulations.

However, on Monday evening, the West African Football Union and the CAF Medical team reversed their decision after a satisfactory medical test confirmed Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau’s eligibility to compete in this year’s U17 AFCON qualifiers.

The new rule states in Article 27.4: “If, after carrying out the eligibility test (IRM) for a participating team, one or more of its players are deemed ineligible, the participating team will be disqualified.”

Sierra Leone has been requalified to participate, having met the necessary criteria after two of the five players in question were cleared. Additionally, Guinea-Bissau has been reinstated and will compete in the WAFU U17 tournament in Senegal.

Africa and Age Cheating

Guinea has a history of age cheating. In 2019, they were disqualified from the Under-17 World Cup in Brazil due to age violations at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, which served as qualifiers.

Despite runners-up at the U-17 Nations Cup in Tanzania in April, Guinea believed they had secured a World Cup spot by reaching the semi-finals.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1848493588134383895

Bo Rangers coach Keister hails team spirit after Sierra Leone Cup triumph
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bo Rangers coach Keister hails team spirit after Sierra Leone Cup triumph

In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, the reigning champions of Sierra Leone, under the guidance of head coach John Keister, celebrated a remarkable achievement as they secured a coveted double title this season.

The team triumphed over East End Lions in a heart-stopping penalty shootout, winning 4-1 after an intense match that concluded in a 2-2 stalemate.

The dramatic FA Cup final unfolded at the FA’s secretariat playing ground, where emotions ran high as both teams fought fiercely for glory. Keister praised his players’ resilience, emphasizing the unwavering team spirit that shone through under pressure. “It was a very intense game against a formidable opponent that truly tested our limits. Everyone witnessed the depth of our character as a team,” he reflected.

Expressing gratitude, he acknowledged the support of the club’s executive chairman, Babadi Kamara, as well as the players and dedicated fans who have been instrumental throughout this journey. “Completing the double brings an immense sense of pride for us as a team. It’s a joyful moment that we will cherish.”

Keister remarked on his commitment to delivering results, highlighting the importance of performance on the field. “I have an incredible chairman in Babadi Kamara, who is passionate about success and transforming the narrative surrounding football,” he stated confidently.

Looking ahead, Keister emphasized the need to build on this achievement. “We are not content to rest on our laurels; we are eager to lay the groundwork for the future. That’s the vision Babadi and the team are diligently working towards.”

The team triumphed over East End Lions in a heart-stopping penalty shootout, winning 4-1 after an intense match that concluded in a 2-2 stalemate.
The team triumphed over East End Lions in a heart-stopping penalty shootout, winning 4-1 after an intense match that concluded in a 2-2 stalemate.
Sierra Leone disqualified from WAFU U17 over age cheating
by FSL News

Sierra Leone disqualified from WAFU U17 over age cheating

Sierra Leone will not take part in this year’s Under-17 WAFU AFCON qualifiers in Senegal after they were found guilty of age cheating, as announced by the organising committee.

West African Football Union by the CAF Medical team disqualified Sierra Leone, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau over age manipulations.

WAFU noted that as a result of the new rule set out in article 27.4 of the under-17 African Cup of Nations, regulations will be applied to these U17 national teams.

The New Rules state, 27.4 If after carrying out the eligibility test (IRM) for a participating team, for or more of it players deemed ineligible, the participant team will be disqualified.”

Consequently, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Guinea Bissau are disqualified from the WAFU U17 tournament in Senegal.”

Africa and Age Cheating

Guinea has a history of age cheating. In 2019, they were disqualified from the Under-17 World Cup in Brazil due to age violations at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, which served as qualifiers.

Despite being runners-up at the U-17 Nations Cup in Tanzania in April, Guinea believed they had secured a World Cup spot by reaching the semi-finals.

In the same Senegeal in 2021, the Sierra Leone U17 side was disqualified over the same age manipulation due to a failed MRI test.

WAFU on U17 age manipulation in Senegal
WAFU on U17 age manipulation in Senegal