On Saturday, Coach Amidu Karim started his Sierra Leone reign with a 1-1 draw with Benin at the Stade Khouribga in Casablanca, Morocco. (Photo Credit SLFA)
Sierra Leone drew with Benin 1-1 after Cheetah’s last-gasp 98th-minute leveller by Cedric Hountondjito to cancel out Odense Boldklub striker Mohamed Buya Turay’s first Sierra Leone goal since his debut in 2018 against Ethiopia.
Odense Boldklub striker Mohamed Buya Turay opened the score line with his 32nd goal after he dribbled past his marker to slot home at the bottom right for his first Sierra Leone goal.
It was a brilliant start for new provisional head coach Amidu Karim after back-to-back defeats for Leone Stars against Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau in their match day five and six of the Afcon 2023 qualifiers in June and September, respectively.
Sierra Leone’s keeper Ibrahim Sesay was brilliant through the full throttle of the match following his bravery with a couple of saves over 90 minutes.
Despite a slow start, Karim’s men capitalised on Turay’s 32nd-minute goal and held on to their lead at the break.
After the recess, Sierra Leone continued their brilliant defending as they grew in confidence and composure as they fought for every loose ball. It became intense as Benin rallied for an equaliser – tension mounted from both sides – the referee a couple of times had to intervene.
Cedric Hountondjito slotted in a cross from the left to beat the Leone Stars keeper Ibrahim Sesay for the first time in the match.
The Leone Stars will take on Somalia on Tuesday in their second friendly.
Sierra Leone drew with Benin 1-1 after Cheetah's last-gasp 98th-minute equalizer by Cedric Hountondjito cancelled out @Odense_Boldklub striker @turay_buya's first Sierra Leone goal since his debut in 2018 against Ethiopia.
— @football_sierra (FSL Media) 🇸🇱 website (@football_sierra) October 15, 2023
Leone Stars take on @SomalilandFF next on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/HX9BkDoI3I
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