Sierra Leone’s national senior men’s football team, Leone Stars, have yesterday night returned to Freetown after a challenging start in their AFCON 2025 qualifiers. The team had mixed results, drawing 0-0 with Chad and losing 3-2 to Zambia, leaving fans and analysts concerned about their qualification prospects.
Their match against Chad in Liberia was seen as a missed opportunity, with fans disappointed by the draw against a perceived weaker team. In the following match against Zambia, Leone Stars showed resilience, coming back twice (from 1 nil down to 1-1 and 2-1 down to 2-2) but ultimately losing 3-2 due to a late free-kick goal.
Despite the defeat, the team’s spirited performance against Zambia was praised, and fans remain cautiously optimistic. Leone Stars captain, Steven Caulker, and SLFA President, Thomas Daddy Brima, expressed hope for future matches, acknowledging the team’s determination and commitment to the AFCON qualification journey.
As the team prepares for a crucial double-header against defending champions Ivory Coast, Coach Amidu Karim emphasized that the road to AFCON is still open. The players and fans remain united in their resolve to achieve qualification despite the early setbacks.