Sierra Leone coach Amidu Karim has announced his final 25-man squad for the AFCON qualifiers against the reigning African Champions, Ivory Coast.
Notable absentees include Bristol Rovers midfielder Kamil Conteh, and defender Osman Kakay. And, still no place for Inform striker Augustine Williams under coach Amidu Karim.
The squad sees the return of China-based winger Issa Kallon, who last appeared in Turkey in 2022 during the international matches. Salford City midfielder Tyrese Fornah has also been named, following his first international breakaway with Sierra Leone, which ended poorly after he was given a red card.
Fornah was dismissed in the 39th minute in the 2-0 defeat to Egypt, having picked up a first yellow card a minute earlier for a bad tackle, before being given a second yellow a minute later for dissent.
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo striker Amadou Bakayoko makes his return after missing matches against Chad and Zambia in the two African Cup of Nations qualifiers last month.
Ivory Coast will host Sierra Leone on October 11 at the Laurent Pokou Stadium. This game is crucial for coach Karim’s side in their pursuit of qualifying for the Morocco 2025 AFCON.
The Leone Stars will aim to bounce back from their recent loss to Zambia and revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
- Complex Situation
Currently standing third from bottom with only one point from their first two matches, the Leone Stars must show composure and resilience. They need to win at least one of the doubleheaders and hope that Zambia fails to win against Chad.
Coach Avram Grant’s side will target maximum results against Chad, Sierra Leone will need to secure at least three points against Ivory Coast in either of the match day three or four qualifiers. Otherwise, depending on other results, the situation will be more complex for the Leone Stars on the road to Morocco.
The second leg of the doubleheader will take place on October 15 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia.
Ivory Coast has had a perfect start in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, winning their matches against Zambia and Chad, and securing the top position in Group G with six points. Zambia has three points, Sierra Leone has one point, and Chad has yet to earn a point.
Sierra Leone’s Coach AMIDU KARIM has listed his 25-man squad for Ivory Coast’s in Group G AFCON 2025 qualifiers @FcZhiyun attacker Issa Kallon, @consaofficial striker Bakayoko and @SalfordCityFC midfielder Tyrese Fornah all return for crucial encounters. @football_sierra pic.twitter.com/CdVhcCzl2z
— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) October 5, 2024
