Leone Stars versus Seychelles

Seychelles Football Association have advised  that they are forfeiting their AFCON 2015 qualifier against the Leone Stars. (31 July 2014)

The game had been scheduled for this coming weekend (2 Aug) in Stade Linite, Mahe, Seychelles.

The Seychelles FA have advised that their decision to withdraw from the AFCON 2015 qualifier is due to a decision by their Government Health and Immigration Authorities to deny access to the Sierra Leone delegation to the Seychelles.

Earlier today the Leone Stars had not been permitted to board their transit flight from Kenya to Seychelles. We understand that Seychelles immigration had contacted authorities in Kenya advising that the Sierra Leone delegation would not be permitted entrance to Seychelles.

Seychelles FA have this evening confirmed with CAF their withdrawal from the game and AFCON 2015.

A statement on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) website advises that "Sierra Leone joins Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon and DR Congo in group D of the next phase of the qualifying rounds"

Coach McKinstry said:

"it is obviously very disappointing for us not to be able to complete our travel plans to play the second leg game against the Seychelles. We felt we had put on an impressive performance in Freetown and were looking forward to the away game and to securing victory and progress to the group qualification stage.

Our 2-0 home victory two weeks ago in Freetown has however proved enough and we now look forward to the challenges of Group D of AFCON 2015, beginning next month with our games against Ivory Coast and then the Democratic Republic of the Congo".

 

NEXT round of AFCON 2015 Qualifiers

Sierra Leone joins Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon and DR Congo in group D for the final phase of qualification for AFCON 2015.  

Group D qualifiers are scheduled to be player in September - November 2014.

  • 05-06/09/14: Ivory Coast v Sierra Leone
  • 10/09/14: Sierra Leone v DR Congo
  • 10-11/10/14: Sierra Leone v Cameroon
  • 15/10/14: Cameroon v Sierra Leone
  • 14-15/11/14: Sierra Leone v Ivory Coast
  • 19/11/14: DR Congo v Sierra Leone

 

More News?

For more news and pictures of Leone Stars games and training camps - visit www.johnnymckinstry.com/leonestars

 

Notes to Editors

  1. The game was to have been the second game (away leg) in the third round qualifier against Seychelles (2 August 2014) as part of AFCON 2015. 
  2. Sierra Leone won the first game in Freetown, beating Seychelles 2-0 on 19 July 2014  
  3. You can read more about the AFCON 2015 tournament and the Leone Stars fixtures.
  4. Johnny McKinstry was appointed Head Coach of the Sierra Leone National Men's Football team on 11th April 2013.  You can read more about his time in charge of the Leone Stars
  5. See www.johnnymckinstry.com for a range of information - biography, press releases and photographs for press use.
  6. To arrange an email or telephone interview, please contact 

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You can read more about Coach McKinstry's:

About Coach McKinstry

Coach McKinstry is a UEFA Pro Licensed Football Coach, with a number of successes across his 20+ year career to date.    He is currently Head Coach of Gor Mahia FC in Kenya

As Head Coach of the Uganda National Team, the 'Uganda Cranes' (2019 - 2021) he led Uganda to win CECAFA 2019 and over his tenure delivered a WIN from 2 in every 3 games, going undefeated in over 8 in every 10 games played.  This represented the highest 'win' and 'undefeated' rate achieved by a Uganda National Team Coach in over 15 years.

He was International Manager and Head Coach of the Rwanda National Football Team (2015-16). Within just 17 months he led Rwanda to a number of highs - including their first ever appearance in the knockout stages of a major international tournament (Quarter-finals of CHAN, Jan 2016) and finished runner-up in CECAFA (Dec 2105), being named 'Coach of the Tournament' for his efforts. 

Across 2013-14, he was Head Coach of the Sierra Leone National Men's Football team. Within just over a year, he had led Sierra Leone to their highest ever FIFA World and African rankings - 7th in Africa and 50th in the World (August 2014). 

He has also been Head Coach of Saif Sporting Club, Bangladesh Premier League (2018-19); and FK Kauno Zalgiris, Lithuanian A-Lyga (2017-18).  He is a European (UEFA), American (NSCAA) and university qualified football coach. 

Coach McKinstry is a member of 'Common Goal'. Together members seek to support high-impact organisations that harness the power of football to advance the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Quotes: What the media say

  • Leone Stars shine with purpose... what is even more remarkable is what the young Northern Irishman has done ... the Leone Stars are ranked 50th in the world and seventh in Africa – higher than they have ever been.

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    fifa.com
  • McKinstry led the team to their highest ever placing in the FIFA world rankings. They broke into the top 50, ahead of his native Northern Ireland.

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    Damien Edgar Backpage Football
  • There is an almost missionary zeal to Johnny McKinstry's devotion to his job.

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    Daily Mirror
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