Coach Sellas Teteh celebrates with his technical team and players
Leone Stars 1 – 0 Sudan Falcons
Sierra Leone national team, Leone Stars kept their hopes of qualifying to the Gabon 2017 African Cup of Nations alive after securing a 1-0 win over Sudan.
Home based striker, Sheka Fofanah scored the only goal of the match in the 65th minute to move the home side within a point of their next opponent and reigning African champions, Ivory Coast.
The win now leaves the final Group I clash between Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone as a must win for coach Sellas Teteh and boys in September as they are now in second position with four points and one behind the African champions.
Leone Stars 1 – 0 Sudan Falcons
Sierra Leone national team, Leone Stars kept their hopes of qualifying to the Gabon 2017 African Cup of Nations alive after securing a 1-0 win over Sudan.
Home based striker, Sheka Fofanah scored the only goal of the match in the 65th minute to move the home side within a point of their next opponent and reigning African champions, Ivory Coast.
The win now leaves the final Group I clash between Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone as a must win for coach Sellas Teteh and boys in September as they are now in second position with four points and one behind the African champions.
The delighted Sellas Teteh admitted it was a well fought victory for his side adding that from the onset they knew it was going to be a difficult contest for them.
“The game was not an easy one for us although we had a good first half and could have gotten a goal we kept the same spirit in the second period and Fofanah’s goal was fantastic,” the Ghanaian tactician told sports journalists in post-match Press Conference.
The Sudanese coach, Mohamed Abdallah 'Mazda who was furious after his side late equaliser was ruled out for an offside by the assistant referee Evarist Menkouande admitted that they played lot of defensive game during the first half which affected the team’s performance.
He said: “Let me congratulate Sierra Leone and Coach Teteh for the victory and wish them well in their quest for qualification. This is a team we are building so it was not a shame for us to lose.”
On the disallowed goal, the Sudanese boss said: “For me it was a clear goal but I don’t know why he waved his flag. That was a poor decision which cost us.”
Sierra Leone started the match in a good footing and was in full control during the opening 10 minutes of play, but the team however failed to create any clear chances while they maintained possession.
“The game was not an easy one for us although we had a good first half and could have gotten a goal we kept the same spirit in the second period and Fofanah’s goal was fantastic,” the Ghanaian tactician told sports journalists in post-match Press Conference.
The Sudanese coach, Mohamed Abdallah 'Mazda who was furious after his side late equaliser was ruled out for an offside by the assistant referee Evarist Menkouande admitted that they played lot of defensive game during the first half which affected the team’s performance.
He said: “Let me congratulate Sierra Leone and Coach Teteh for the victory and wish them well in their quest for qualification. This is a team we are building so it was not a shame for us to lose.”
On the disallowed goal, the Sudanese boss said: “For me it was a clear goal but I don’t know why he waved his flag. That was a poor decision which cost us.”
Sierra Leone started the match in a good footing and was in full control during the opening 10 minutes of play, but the team however failed to create any clear chances while they maintained possession.
Leone Stars before the match
With their build up plays, the home side came close to breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute of play when Turkey based midfielder, Alfred Zagalo Sankoh right-footed tap-in from a close range went way over the cross bar.
The home side dominance continued but again squandered two clear opportunities when Gibrilla Woobay and Kwami Quee failed to convert their 23rd and 36th minutes chances respectively.
Despite the fact that the match was less physical, Sudanese midfielder, Nazar Hamed was the first player to get his name on referees Neant Alioum book following his 40th minutes two-footed challenge on Quee in the center circle.
Five minutes later, the Sierra Leonean goal keeper, Solomon Zombo Morris was called to his first serious action in the match as he moved out of his area to head away what was the visitor’s only clear opportunity in the first segment.
Morris timely intervention forced him out of the match due to an injury and he was replaced by debutant Unisa Koroma. The home side was forced to make another change with Mustapha Haji Bangura who came in to replace German based midfielder George Kwaku Davies.
Unlike the first half, the visitors decided to attack during the second half which forced Sierra Leone’s defender David Simbo to get his name on the referee’s book in the 59th minute.
With their build up plays, the home side came close to breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute of play when Turkey based midfielder, Alfred Zagalo Sankoh right-footed tap-in from a close range went way over the cross bar.
The home side dominance continued but again squandered two clear opportunities when Gibrilla Woobay and Kwami Quee failed to convert their 23rd and 36th minutes chances respectively.
Despite the fact that the match was less physical, Sudanese midfielder, Nazar Hamed was the first player to get his name on referees Neant Alioum book following his 40th minutes two-footed challenge on Quee in the center circle.
Five minutes later, the Sierra Leonean goal keeper, Solomon Zombo Morris was called to his first serious action in the match as he moved out of his area to head away what was the visitor’s only clear opportunity in the first segment.
Morris timely intervention forced him out of the match due to an injury and he was replaced by debutant Unisa Koroma. The home side was forced to make another change with Mustapha Haji Bangura who came in to replace German based midfielder George Kwaku Davies.
Unlike the first half, the visitors decided to attack during the second half which forced Sierra Leone’s defender David Simbo to get his name on the referee’s book in the 59th minute.
As the clocks continued to tick, the Sierra Leonean fans started roaring: ‘We want a goal! We want a goal!’ then finally came in the goal in the 65th minute from a wonderful escape strike by Fofonah thanks to an assist from Kwame Quee.
It was Fofonah’s second goal in the qualifiers after he opened his Sierra Leone account in the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Gabon in Libreville.
It was Fofonah’s second goal in the qualifiers after he opened his Sierra Leone account in the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Gabon in Libreville.
By: Editor
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