Skipper Bangura scores for Leone Stars<\/p>\n
By Mohamed Fajah Barrie in USA<\/strong><\/p>\n An impressive Leone Stars side have defeated The Panthers of Gabon 1-0 in an international friendly match played in Freetown\u00a0on Monday.<\/p>\n Skipper Umaru ‘Zingalay’ Bangura got the goal as he stepped up to convert a penalty spot kick in 13th minute to send the fans at the jam-packed Siaka Stevens Stadium to ecstasy.<\/p>\n The match was part of the 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) group I qualifying schedule but didn’t count towards qualification as Gabon are hosting the finals in January.<\/p>\n It was a sweet revenge for Sierra Leone for the 2-1 defeat they suffered from Gabon in the first leg encounter in Franceville last Friday.<\/p>\n Gabon played without the African player of the year Piere Emerick-Aubameyang who didn’t travel with the team to Freetown .<\/p>\n They also didn’t start the game with six of the players who were in the starting line-up for the first leg.<\/p>\n Leone Stars had only China based Mohamed ‘Poborsky’ Bangura missing due to injury.<\/p>\n Sierra Leone and Gabon have now met six times with each winning all three games each hosted.<\/p>\n Sierra Leone remain bottom of group I in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers behind African Champions Ivory Coast and Sudan.<\/p>\n The team that finishes top of the\u00a0group will qualify for the finals.<\/p>\n Previous meetings<\/strong><\/p>\n 22 Oct 1995 Gabon 1-0 Sierra Leone International friendly<\/p>\n 11 Jan 1997 Sierra Leone 1-0 Gabon\u00a0 FIFA World Cup qualifier<\/p>\n 08 Jun 1997 Gabon Vs Sierra Leone\u00a0 FIFA \u00a0World Cup qualifier\u00a0(Cancelled)<\/p>\n 12 Oct 2002 Sierra Leone 2-0 Gabon\u00a0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier<\/p>\n 06 Jul 2003 Gabon 2-0 Sierra Leone\u00a0\u00a0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier<\/p>\n 25 Mar 2016 Gabon 2-1 Sierra Leone International friendly<\/p>\n 28 March 2016\u00a0Sierra Leone 1-0 Gabon International friendly<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Leone Stars starting line-up:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Solomon Zombo Morris (GK), Umaru Bangura (Capt), David Simbo, Abu Kanu, Yeami Dunia, Mohamed Kamara, Abdul Sesay, Kwame Quee, George Davies, Mustapha Bangura, Sheka Fofanah<\/p>\n Coach Sellas Tetteh (Ghanaian)<\/p>\n The Panthers starting line-up:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Mfa Mezui Anthony (GK), Evouna Malick (Capt), Oto’o Zue Randal Junior, Ondele Appindangye Aaron Christopher, Ndong Henri Junior, Koumba Abdoulaye Tandjigora, Madinda Levy-Clement, Samson Mbingui, Lengounalama B. Johan, Ze Ondo Benjamin, Lemina Mario Rene Junior<\/p>\n Coach: Jorge Costa (Portuguese)<\/p>\n