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Bakayoko, Issa Kallon start against Ivory Coast
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bakayoko, Issa Kallon start against Ivory Coast

Striker Amadou Bakayoko and Issa Kallon from China are set to play against Ivory Coast. Kallon last played in Turkey in 2022, and midfielder Fornah from Salford City FC is back after receiving a red card against Egypt.

Bakayoko missed matches against Chad and Zambia but hopes to continue his good form for the national team. Sierra Leone will face Ivory Coast in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations Qualification match at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro.

Coach Amidu Karim’s team is aiming for their first win on the road to Morocco 2025. A win for Ivory Coast could hurt Sierra Leone’s chances.

Also, a debut for U20 right-back Nathanial Jalloh was part of the Sierra Leone team that reached the U20 AFCON for the next year.

Ivory Coast defeated the Leone Stars 5-1 in a friendly match in January 2024. The Leone Stars haven’t won against Ivory Coast in their last eight competitive matches.

Ivory Coast has a 70% win rate in their last ten outings. In Group G, Ivory Coast has secured two wins and is preparing to face winless Sierra Leone.

Group G Fixtures: 

Zambia 0-0 Chad

Cote d’Ivoire vs Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone first team for Ivory Coast crucial tie
Sierra Leone face African Champions to raise Afcon hopes
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone face African Champions to raise Afcon hopes

On October 11, 2024, Sierra Leone is scheduled to confront the reigning African Champions, Ivory Coast, in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations Qualification match. The highly anticipated game will take place at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro, with the kickoff set for 19:00 GMT.

Coach Amidu Karim’s team is seeking their first victory in the journey to Morocco 2025. A win for Ivory Coast could potentially harm the Leone Stars’ chances.

The Leone Stars have never won against Ivory Coast in their last eight competitive matches. On January 6, 2024, Ivory Coast defeated a predominantly home-based Leone Stars 5-1 in a friendly match before the 2023 AFCON tournament, which they won on home soil.

The Ivorians has been on fire, winning seven games, drawing three, and not losing a single match in their last ten outings, boasting an impressive 70% win rate.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s journey has been filled with ups and downs, with a notable victory against Djibouti in the World Cup qualifiers, along with some hard-fought draws and challenging defeats to Egypt and Zambia in various competitions.

Group G wrap-up

The team from Côte d’Ivoire has shown its strength in Group G by securing two wins, and they are now gearing up for a match against Sierra Leone, who are still in search of their first win.

Meanwhile, Zambia is in hot pursuit and will face Chad, eager to cement their position in the group standings.

This matchday provides a pivotal opportunity for the lower-ranked teams to make their mark and keep their dreams of qualifying alive.

Group G Fixtures: 

Cote d’Ivoire vs Sierra Leone

Zambia vs Chad

Check out Sierra Leone’s recent results:

World Cup Qualifiers:

– Ethiopia 0-0 Sierra Leone (WCQ Nov 15th 2023)

– Sierra Leone 0-2 Egypt (WCQ Nov 19th 2023)

– Sierra Leone 2-1 Djibouti (WCQ June 5th 2024)

– Burkina Faso 2-2 Sierra Leone (WCQ June 10th 2024)

AFCON Qualifiers:

– Sierra Leone 0-0 Chad (Sept 6th 2024)

– Zambia 3-2 Sierra Leone (Sept 10th 2024)

On January 6, 2024, Ivory Coast defeated a predominantly home-based Leone Stars 5-1 in a friendly match before the 2023 AFCON tournament, which they won on home soil
On January 6, 2024, Ivory Coast defeated a predominantly home-based Leone Stars 5-1 in a friendly match before the 2023 AFCON tournament, which they won on home soil
Sierra Leone to face Neighbours Liberia in qualifying for CHAN 2024
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone to face Neighbours Liberia in qualifying for CHAN 2024

The Sierra Leone national home-based team has been drawn to face neighbouring Liberia in the first-round qualifiers for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The draw, conducted in Cairo on Wednesday, 09 October, involved 40 nations in determining the two rounds of qualifiers, which will be played on a home and away basis.

The tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from 01 to 28 February 2025. This marks the first occasion in CAF history that the tournament will be jointly hosted by three nations.

The tournament qualifiers are set for October 25-27 and November 1-3, 2024, with the final round scheduled for December 20-22 and December 27-29, 2024.

Nineteen African nations will compete, including the host nations (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) and three qualified nations from each of CAF’s six Zonal Unions.

The tournament is exclusive to players competing in their local leagues and offers a prize money of $2 million. The last edition was won by Senegal, defeating the hosts, Algeria, in the finals.

WAFU A ROUND 1

Sierra Leone vs Liberia

1st Leg: 25 – 27 October | 2nd Leg: 01 – 03 November

ROUND 2

Sierra Leone / Liberia v Senegal

Mauritania v Mali

Guinea v Guinea-Bissau

1st Leg: 20 – 22 December | 2nd Leg 27 – 29 November

Issa Kallon, Fornah and Bakayoko return for Ivory Coast crucial qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Issa Kallon, Fornah and Bakayoko return for Ivory Coast crucial qualifiers

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.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1842428138757755053

Sierra Leone standing third from bottom with only one point from their first two matches.
Sierra Leone standing third from bottom with only one point from their first two matches.
Sierra Leone to battle Gambia for a place in U20 AFCON
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone to battle Gambia for a place in U20 AFCON

On Wednesday, Sierra Leone will face off against The Gambia at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium for a spot in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The match will kick off at 1 pm local time.

A win for the Shooting Stars would mean they reach the AFCON U20 tournament for the first time in the history of Sierra Leonean football.

The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, promising high-stakes action as each team vies for a chance at the championship.

The Gambia advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 WAFU A U-20 AFCON Qualifiers after playing to a goalless draw with Mali on Sunday, September 22, at the SKD Sports Complex.

This result placed The Gambia in the second spot in Group B, alongside group winners Senegal. The next stage will involve the four qualifying teams competing for a place in the finals.

In Group A, Sierra Leone’s Shooting Stars finished as group winners with seven points from three games. They will face The Gambia, who finished as runners-up in Group B, in the battle for one of the two AFCON slots.

Senegal finished at the top of Group B with four points from two games, while The Gambia secured qualification for the semifinals with just two points from two games. They put up a strong fight in their opening match against Senegal, forcing them to a 2-2 draw.

Guinea finished as runners-up in Group A with five points, a point adrift of hosts Liberia. They will face defending champions Senegal in the semifinals.

Wednesday Semi-final lineups

Senegal vs. Guinea

Sierra Leone vs. Gambia

The two finalists will automatically qualify for the 2025 U-20 AFCON Finals.

The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, promising high-stakes action as each team vies for a chance at the championship.
The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, promising high-stakes action as each team vies for a chance at the championship.
Sierra Leone down to 125 in Fifa Ranking after defeat to Zambia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone down to 125 in Fifa Ranking after defeat to Zambia

Sierra Leone’s national football team, the Leone Stars, has experienced a significant decline in the latest FIFA rankings, dropping three places to 125th in the world and 35th in Africa.

The African Cup of Nations team had a goalless draw against the underdog team Chad in Liberia and suffered a 3-2 defeat to Zambia. As a result, the head coach, Amidu Kamara, has faced heavy criticism from soccer fans at home and abroad, with many calling for his immediate resignation.

The decline in ranking comes on the heels of the Leone Stars’ ongoing struggle in the CAF qualifiers, where they have failed to secure a win in their last three international matches.

Since his appointment by the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), the coach has only managed to secure two wins out of eight games. Despite these setbacks, Sierra Leone still maintains a higher rank than countries such as The Gambia, India, and Rwanda.

The pressure is mounting on the Leone Stars squad to reverse their fortunes as they gear up for a crucial double-header against Ivory Coast in October as part of the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

With about 95% of football pundits expressing doubt about the Leone Stars’ qualification prospects due to their recent poor performance, the team faces an uphill battle to turn things around.

Sierra Leone’s next outing is a back-to-back against reigning African Champions Ivory Coast next month as part of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

In the global rankings, Argentina remains in the top spot, followed by France, Spain, England, Brazil, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Colombia, and Italy.

The next FIFA rankings will be released on October 24, 2024.

Sierra Leone through U20 semis after win over Guinea-Bissau
by @football_sierra

Sierra Leone through to U20 semis after win over Guinea-Bissau

In the AFCON U-20 WAFU A qualifiers at the SKD Annex Field in Monrovia, defender Nathaniel Jalloh scored a crucial 45th-minute goal, securing Sierra Leone U-20 a spot in the semifinals with a 1-0 victory over a struggling 10-man Guinea-Bissau team.

Guinea Bissau’s team, the Young Djourtous, had already been eliminated after losing their first two matches, but they played for pride in the last encounter.

Their situation worsened when they were reduced to 10 men following a red card in the second half.

As a result, Sierra Leone topped Group A with 7 points, followed by Guinea with 5 points.

A victory in the semifinals will ensure the Shooting Stars’ participation in the upcoming African Cup of Nations U-20 category.

The National U-20 Skipper, Sallieu Bah, was awarded Man of the Match for exceptional performance.

In a post-match conference, Sierra Leone U-20 Head Coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara expressed his confidence and trust in his team, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming semifinal match as a crucial moment for their AFCON U-20 aspirations.

“We are now focusing on our preparations for the semifinals,” Coach Kamara stated. “Our semifinal encounter is one of the most important matches for us, as it determines our hope to qualify for the AFCON U-20.”

The Shooting Stars are now gearing up for what promises to be a pivotal match in their journey.

The National U-20 Skipper, Sallieu Bah, was awarded Man of the Match for exceptional performance.
The National U-20 Skipper, Sallieu Bah, was awarded Man of the Match for exceptional performance.
Zambia edge Sierra Leone in Group G AFCON qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zambia edge Sierra Leone in Group G AFCON qualifier

On Tuesday, in a tense atmosphere, Zambia’s Chipolopolo secured their first victory in the African Cup of Nations Group G match day two, defeating Sierra Leone 3-2 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

In the opening 25 minutes, Zambia dominated the game and scored their first goal with a header by Kennedy Musonda in the 28th minute. However, Sierra Leone equalized with a great strike by Augustus Kargbo in the 33rd minute after poor defending from the host team.

Both teams showed resilience after the 35th minute in the African Cup of Nations Group G qualifier match. Sierra Leone’s coach, Amidu Karim, made four changes to the starting lineup, resulting in a better performance, especially on the left wing of the team’s attack.

Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba, a substitute from Al Nasr Benghazi, put the home side back in the lead with a good strike in the 70th minute.

Sierra Leone’s Hindolo Mustapha, coming off the bench, scored his first international goal, levelling the game 2-2 in the 73rd minute.

In the 85th minute, Kings Kangwa from Hapoel Beer Sheva scored with a clever free-kick, putting Zambia back in front for the third time after a handball from the Sierra Leone defensive, Ibrahim Sillah.

Zambia’s head coach Grant was delighted after the match and commended his players for their determination.

“It was a fantastic win; we played really well,” Grant told reporters after the match. “We created chances, but more importantly, we showed great mentality. Even after they equalized at 1-1 and then at 2-2, we never gave up. Two minutes after every goal they scored, we scored again. Many teams would have crumbled, but we kept playing and played well.”

He added, “Similarly to our performance in Ivory Coast, the players are displaying a lot of character, fighting spirit, and commitment, and I am very happy about that.”

Elsewhere, Ivory Coast defeated Chad 2-0 with goals from Jean-Philippe Krasso in the 45th minute and Oumar Diakité at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Cameroon to stay top of the group with six points ahead of October’s doubleheader against Sierra Leone.

Ivory Coast continues to lead, with Zambia close behind at three points, Sierra Leone at two, and Chad with one point.

Sierra Leone suffered first defeat win in the African Cup of Nations Group G match day two, defeating Sierra Leone 3-2 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Sierra Leone suffered first defeat win in the African Cup of Nations Group G match day two, defeating Sierra Leone 3-2 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
SIERRA LEONE STARTING XI FOR ZAMBIA (1)
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Four changes to Sierra Leone Starting XI for Zambia

Sierra Leone head coach Amidu Karim has made four changes from the Chad opener in today’s starting line-up for Leone Stars’ second match in the African Cup of Nations Group G qualifying against Zambia.

Kick-off at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium is 21 hours local as coach Avram Grant’s side hosts their West African Counterparts.

With Injury to Qatar-based midfielder Alhassan Koroma, the Gaffer has opted to bring in Holland-based midfielder Ibrahim Sillah in his place. Furthermore, Bo Rangers striker Musa Noah Kamara and Cambridge winger Sullay Kaikai are in for Daniel Kanu and Plymouth Argyle’s Mustapha Bundu.

The same back four in Ankara Keçiörengücü‘s defender Steven Caulker, Dinamo Brest centre-back Jarju Kabia, Hartford Athletic‘s Emmanuel Samadia and Osman Kakay.

Crystal Palace Under-21s midfielder Hindolo Mustapha, who made his International debut in the draw against Chad, started from the bench.

Bristol Rovers midfielder Kamil Conteh replaced Jose Koroma to team up with Italy-based Augustus Kargbo, Bo Rangers striker Musa Noah Kamara and Cambridge United Sullay Kaikai in attack.

A must-win game or worse case, Sierra Leone must avoid defeat at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Sierra Leone Subs: 23 Francis Koroma, 16, Isaac Caulker, 17, Yeami Dunia, 20 Saidu Mansaray, 13 Josh Koroma, 3 Sallie Tarawallie, 27 Hindolo Mustapha, 22 Kamil Conteh, 10 Mustapha Bundu, 14 Daniel Kanu, 12, Jonathan Morsay, 4 Saidu Fofana