Leone Stars hero Aki Noah dies
Published on June 1, 2011 by Cocorioko News · No Comments
By COCORIOKO Man Dennis Kabato :
Akie G. Noah, a former Sierra Leone national team – Leone Stars and Ports Authority Football Club midfielder whose 58th minute goal against Algeria on May 31, 1980 at the National Stadium in Freetown was instrumental for Sierra Leone to secure a 2-2 draw during 1982 World Cup qualifier has died in Freetown. He was 54. Reports say Mr. Noah died Sunday, May 30, 2011 at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown, the cause of death is not immediately known.
Mr. Noah was very popular in Sierra Leone football during the late 70s and early 80s prior to moving to California in the United States. In 1992, he attended and successfully completed the course for soccer coaching category “D” through California soccer Association, South-Inc. In 1999, he became a member of National Soccer Coaches Association of America. While in North Hollywood, California he owned and operated a sports company teaching full range football or soccer skills to boys and girls ages 6 – 18.
PHOTO : AKI NOAH IN YELOW VEST
He was coach of Leone Stars of Southern California from 1997 – 2006.
Upon his return to Sierra Leone three years ago, Mr. Noah was subsequently appointed Technical Director of Ports Authority FC until 2010 and he also briefly led Sierra Stars the Sierra Leone Under-17 national team.
Significantly, Mr. Noah served as APC/North America acting Chairman in 2007 after the general elections that brought President Ernest Korma and the APC back to power.
“He was a selfless man,” Sallie H. Conteh, a Vice Chairman of the APC/NA Branch and school mate said of Mr. Noah in a statement published in the May 30th edition of the Sierra Leone Herald Tribune. “An asset not only to the Sierra Leone Community in the United States, but the Community back home. As much as we are saddened by the death of our brother, friend, soccer star and comrade, let us also celebrate the life of a fine Gentleman.”
Mohamed “Ahmoude” Ahmed was team manager for Leone Stars of Southern California and has known Mr. Noah since 1982, he reminisced on some memorable moments while working with Mr. Noah “Aki was coach while I was team manager of Leone Stars Southern Cal for at least 7 years. During football practice at Rancho Cienega Park in Los Angeles Akie would get so mad and animated with the young players for not trying hard enough. He would say‘fellow, dem borboh yah nar andrews liver salt player dem,’ (lingua franca for the boys are playing like they are under the influence of laxatives.) Mr Ahmed also alluded that “hosting the tournament this year without Aki will be so different, may his soul rest in perfect peace.”
His survivors include his wife Cheryl Noah in Los Angeles, California; three children including his two daughters Zainab 28, Nyallah 13 and a son Gibril 7.
Funeral services is set for Friday, June 3, 2011 at the Fullah Town Mosque at Mountain Cut in Freetown. The late Mr. Noah will be laid at the National Stadium at 10am for public viewing followed by a second viewing at his Mountain Cut residence. Internment is at the Aku Muhamedan Cemetery at Kennedy Street in Freetown, Sierra Leone
Akie G. Noah, a former Sierra Leone national team – Leone Stars and Ports Authority Football Club midfielder whose 58th minute goal against Algeria on May 31, 1980 at the National Stadium in Freetown was instrumental for Sierra Leone to secure a 2-2 draw during 1982 World Cup qualifier has died in Freetown. He was 54. Reports say Mr. Noah died Sunday, May 30, 2011 at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown, the cause of death is not immediately known.
Mr. Noah was very popular in Sierra Leone football during the late 70s and early 80s prior to moving to California in the United States. In 1992, he attended and successfully completed the course for soccer coaching category “D” through California soccer Association, South-Inc. In 1999, he became a member of National Soccer Coaches Association of America. While in North Hollywood, California he owned and operated a sports company teaching full range football or soccer skills to boys and girls ages 6 – 18.
PHOTO : AKI NOAH IN YELOW VEST
He was coach of Leone Stars of Southern California from 1997 – 2006.
Upon his return to Sierra Leone three years ago, Mr. Noah was subsequently appointed Technical Director of Ports Authority FC until 2010 and he also briefly led Sierra Stars the Sierra Leone Under-17 national team.
Significantly, Mr. Noah served as APC/North America acting Chairman in 2007 after the general elections that brought President Ernest Korma and the APC back to power.
“He was a selfless man,” Sallie H. Conteh, a Vice Chairman of the APC/NA Branch and school mate said of Mr. Noah in a statement published in the May 30th edition of the Sierra Leone Herald Tribune. “An asset not only to the Sierra Leone Community in the United States, but the Community back home. As much as we are saddened by the death of our brother, friend, soccer star and comrade, let us also celebrate the life of a fine Gentleman.”
Mohamed “Ahmoude” Ahmed was team manager for Leone Stars of Southern California and has known Mr. Noah since 1982, he reminisced on some memorable moments while working with Mr. Noah “Aki was coach while I was team manager of Leone Stars Southern Cal for at least 7 years. During football practice at Rancho Cienega Park in Los Angeles Akie would get so mad and animated with the young players for not trying hard enough. He would say‘fellow, dem borboh yah nar andrews liver salt player dem,’ (lingua franca for the boys are playing like they are under the influence of laxatives.) Mr Ahmed also alluded that “hosting the tournament this year without Aki will be so different, may his soul rest in perfect peace.”
His survivors include his wife Cheryl Noah in Los Angeles, California; three children including his two daughters Zainab 28, Nyallah 13 and a son Gibril 7.
Funeral services is set for Friday, June 3, 2011 at the Fullah Town Mosque at Mountain Cut in Freetown. The late Mr. Noah will be laid at the National Stadium at 10am for public viewing followed by a second viewing at his Mountain Cut residence. Internment is at the Aku Muhamedan Cemetery at Kennedy Street in Freetown, Sierra Leone
