AWOKO Sierra Leone Sports: Leone Stars victorious in first leg of Africa Nations Cup leone starThe Sierra Leone national football team, the Leone Stars, triumphed over the Seychelles Pirates in a 2-0 victory during Saturday’s preliminary qualifier match for the Africa Nations Cup at Freetown’s National Stadium. “Seychelles can be dangerous,” Leone Stars coach Jonathan McKinstry said, “but we completed our mission.” The Stars retained possession of the ball for approximately 95 per cent of the first half, keeping it forward with a constant assault on the Pirates’ goal keeper. Despite an extremely lacking midfield performance, the Seychelles defence proved too much for the Stars, leaving the fans with a scoreless first half. Once the match resumed, the Pirates took to the field with seemingly revived confidence, delivering two solid drives into Stars territory. Unfortunately for Seychelles, possession was quickly lost on both occasions, allowing for the Stars to continue their operations within the Pirates’ half of the field. Stars gained a lead on their rivals with a goal from Khalifa Jabbie in the 55th minute. The Pirates deflected a corner kick from the Stars, which was then sent back towards the net with a bicycle kick from Sherrif Suma and finally launched into the net by Jabbie his first goal as a member of the Sierra Leone national team. From there the match continued as it had been, with the Stars maintaining possession for most of the half, allowing the ball to cross the center line on only a couple of occasions. Many attempts were made to secure a second goal, but the Pirates’ defence continued to be a formidable opponent. After Suma was knocked to the ground in the 72nd minute, the referee allocated a penalty kick to the Stars. Captain Umaru Bangura took the shot and flawlessly delivered the ball into the top corner of the net, despite a valiant effort from the Seychelles goalkeeper. During the remainder of the match, the Stars backed off the offensive, seemingly satisfied with the present score ratio. Kei Kamara delivered a great header back towards the Seychelles net, but an overuse of force caused the ball to bounce off the pitch and over the net entirely. The match ended without Sierra Leone’s goalkeeper having to make a single save. After full-time was reached, Seychelles’ coach Ulric Mathiot admitted to having little prior knowledge of the Leone Stars and their playing tactics, but made it clear to the press that the Pirates “will never accept defeat.” The Stars are set to face off against Seychelles once again in Victoria on August 2nd for the second leg of the African Nations Cup qualifiers. By Cooper Inveen Tuesday July 22, 2014
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 03:26:05 +0000
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