Leone Stars scored two second half goals to deservedly defeat the Pirates of Seychelles 2-0 in a one-sided match at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown on Saturday to take a step forward of reaching the group stage of the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. The match was a second round first leg qualifying match played on a dilapidated pitch and watched by thousands of spectators. Turkey-based midfielder Khalifa Jabbie opened the scores after the break to score his first international goal and skipper Umaru Bangura based in Belarus later sealed the victory after he converted a penalty kick. Leone Stars who played with three new faces USA based midfielder Abdul Conteh, defender Mohamed Kamanor based in Sweden and FC Johansen’s Kwamee Quee completely dominated the match and should have won by a wider margin had they converted all their chances. The Pirates only had one shot on goal and got one clear chance in the entire match as the Leone Stars goal keeper kept his white shirt clean throughout the ninety minutes of play. Seychelles goal keeper Vincent Euplacasie in contrast left the pitch dirty as he was forced to make several saves to save his side from a humiliating defeat. Striker Ibrahim Tetteh Bangura who returned to the Leone Stars team after ten months absent due to injury was the first to threaten the visitors in the 8th minute when his shot from an angle in the right of the box was blocked by goalie Euplacasie. Euplacasie again denied Leone Stars an opportunity to score when he flicked over the cross bar David Simbo’s long range shot in the 29th minute just after Turkey based winger Alfred Sankoh was withdrawn due to injury and was replaced by Ibrahim Kallay based in Sweden. Leone Stars players continued to keep possession of the ball but were unable to find the back of the net in the first half. The second half was just like the first period in terms of ball possession as Leone Stars dominated play from start to finish and were able to convert some of their chances this time round. Ten minutes after the break Khalifa Jabbie put Leone Stars ahead when he fired in a low shot into the net from the penalty area to bring relief to the Sierra Leonean team and fans at the stadium who had been shouting for goals. It was Jabbie’s first international goal since making his debut for Leone Stars under former coach Lars Olof Mattsson in the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. Three minutes later Sheriff Suma had a chance to increase the lead but wasted it as he volleyed over the cross bar from the box after a fine build-up before AIK Stockholm’s Teteh Bangura was brought down in the box by Pirates defender Ronny Hoareau for the Ivorian referee to award a penalty in the 71st minute. Skipper Umaru Bangura stepped up and sent goalie Euplacasie the wrong way to seal a 2-0 victory and increase his goal tally for Leone Stars to two after scoring his first against Swaziland in Freetown at the end of May also on the penalty spot. Leone Stars created more chances afterwards with Middlesbrough Kei Kamara came close to scoring twice within two minutes. His header from a right wing cross bounced in front of goal before it went over the cross bar in 82nd minute and his acrobatic kick a minute later hits the post. Substitute Juse Estico had a golden opportunity to get a vital consolation goal for Seychelles in the final minute of stoppage time but was unlucky not to score. He picked up a loose ball and chipped over the advancing Leone Stars goalie Morris who had been on holiday throughout the game but went slightly wide. It was the only clear chance for Seychelles, a country of only ninety thousand people. The victory has put Leone Stars in an excellent position to qualify for the group stage of the qualifiers and if they go through after the second leg encounter in Victoria in fortnight time they will join a group comprises of Ivory Coast, Cameroon and DR Congo. Sierra Leone: 1, Solomon Zombo Morris (GK), 13, Mohamed Kamanor (Kwame Quee 82’), 20, Sheriff Suma, 18, David Simbo, 17, Umaru Bangura (Capt), 14, Kelfala Jabbie, 10, Kei Kamara, 19, Ibrahim Tetteh Bangura, 15, Alfred Sankoh, 11, Abdulai Bel Baggie (Ibrahim Kallay 28’), 16, Abdul Bangura Subs: 16 Abdul Bah (GK), 9, Ibrahim Kallay, 2, Ibrahim Kamara, 7, Kwame Quee, 3, Paul Kabba Taulker, 5, Sulaiman Fullah Sesay, 8, Mumini Komson Kamara Coach: Jonathan McKinstry Seychelles: 1, Vincent Euplacasie (GK), 5, Henry Dufrene, 16, Beniot Marie, 17, Steve Henrethee, 15, Befrant Esther, 11, Renick Esther (Juse Estico 76’), 4, Ronny Hoareau, 6, Dino Agathrine, 19, Rashim Padayachy (Senky Vidot 66’), 14, Karl Hall (Archilles Henritte 68’) 8, Colin Esther Subs: 18, Kitson Cecile (GK), 3, Senky Vidot, 13, Juse Estico, 12, Ryan Antat, 9, Gera Basset, 7, Mervin Mofhuror, 10, Archilles Henritte Coach: Ulric Mathiot Ref: Bienvenu Sinko (Ivory Coast) AR1: Moussa Bayere (Ivory Coast) AR2: Bi Valere Gouho (Ivory Coast) RR: Kouame N’dri (Ivory Coast) MC: Linus Mba (Nigeria) Goal scorers: Khalifa Jabbie 55’ Umaru Bangura (Pen) 72’ Booking: Ronny Hoareau 41’
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 16:33:16 +0000
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