March 1, 2021
By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that the Match Day 5 fixture for the 2021 AFCON qualifiers between the Crocodiles of Lesotho and Leone Stars of Sierra Leone will take place at the Sesotho international stadium in Maseru on 27th March, 2021 at 13:00 Local time.
Madagascan match officials have been designated to officiate the match at the 20000 artificial turf stadium in the capital of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Meanwhile, Leone stars will host the Squirrels of Benin 72 hours later in Freetown on March 30 at the Siaka Stevens stadium at 4:30 pm on the last day of the qualifiers.
Quartet batches of Tunisian referees have been designated by CAF to conduct that showdown at the 35000 capacity stadium of the capital.
The Liberia Deputy Minister of Sports Andy Quamie will serve as security officer of that tie whilst Gerson Melo from Cape Verde who is also the WAFU General Secretary will serve as March Coordinator.
Leone Stars of Sierra Leone have three points after four matches played and suffers one defeat and three draws after four matches in group L with just two matches to go.
A win in these two matches will see Leone Stars qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, after missing out for over 25 years in the Africa showdown.
The super Eagles of Nigeria is currently leading the group with 8 points after four matches played; won two and got two draws in the ongoing qualifiers.
The Squirrel of Benin have 7 points after four matches played; two wins one defeat and one draw
At bottom of the group is the Crocodiles of Lesotho after four matches played they have 2 points two defeats and two draws in the ongoing qualifiers.
Currently, all the Africa Countries in the qualifiers are in intensive preparations ahead of the last two matches remaining in the ongoing qualifiers.
Already 6 countries including the host nation Cameroon have qualified for the Tournament to be hosted in Cameroon 2022.
However, in preparation, the Leone Stars home based side have on Friday trashed a Division one side Real Mack by four goals to nil as Captain Sallieu scored a brace, Masalakie Bangura got one and a spectacular bicycle kick from Musa Tombo seal the Victory for Leone Stars.
NSA OUTLINES PLANS FOR RESUMPTION OF ALL SPORTS TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS
By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The National Sports Authority (NSA) has on the 25th February, 2021 outlined plans for sporting events including training and imminent competitions and games to be played under Covid-19 restriction measures. NSA and National Covid-19 Emergency Center are in consultations with other authorities including National Olympic Committee (NOCSL) on the above subject.
These guidelines are to identify basic standards and safety measures for event organizers which will be necessary to mitigate the outbreak of the Covid-19 during sports meetings. The intended purpose is to prescribe requirements for sports events and trainings to ensure that venues are safe and provide uniformity throughout and supervised by the National Sports Authority.
The following venues have been identified as the approved venues for football and other contact Sports:
1. National Stadium, Freetown
2. Bo mini Stadium
3. Kono Stadium
4. Makeni Stadium
5. Parade field Central Freetown
6. SS Camp field
7. Kenema City field
8. Port Loko Town field
9. Attouga Mini Stadium
10. Moyamba Town
11. Kabala Town field
12. Gulf Club Freetown
13. Cricket Oval Kingtom
14. Squash Court Wilson Road
15. Multi-purpose Sport Hall Bo City
16. Tennis Court Hill Station
17. Trade Centre football field – Kissy Dock yard
18. Newton Football field EBK Mini Stadium
19 Central fields Lungi
20. Don Bosco Sport Complex
21. Magburaka Sports field
22. Kailahun
According to the National Sports Authority, test for Covid-19 will be conducted hours before the start of any game and it is mandatory for all athletes and officials to have regular Covid-19 test for every imminent competitions and games organized.
Below are the numbers of competitions that will be allowed to be organized in the Country. The Start and duration of these competitions shall be communicated to the National Sports Authority and to NACOVERCE within four weeks or a month before the commencement.
Here are the Competitions
1. Sierra Leone Primer League
2. Division One League
3. National Female League
4. NSA Inter-Ministerial League
5. National FA Cup
6. Training and preparation for the 2021 Olympic games
7. National Athletics championship
8. International Competitions
In all these, there has been lots of outcry from football fans denied access to witness any of these matches.
