By Desmond Tunde Coker
Head Coach of Leone Stars, Amidu Karim has named his 25-man squad for Leone Star’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Qualifiers between Chad and Zambia on September 6 and 10, respectively.
Before the announcement, the Board Chairman of the National Sports Authority, Ibrahim Nylenkeh, applauded the Leone Stars technical team for their relentless efforts in getting the team together ahead of AFCON, stressing the need for consistency, citing the fact that excuses are unacceptable after missing out on the last Nations Cup.
Nylenkeh pointed out the importance of dedication and commitment in football. “We have the materials and everything we need. It’s about commitment, not big names.”
President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Thomas Daddy Brima applauded the home-base for the tremendous effort so far during the training and advised them that being left out of the games does not imply a lack of skill and competence.
He further highlighted the upcoming CHAN (African Nations Championship) qualifiers, set to begin in October, as an important opportunity for home-based players to showcase their talents. “This tournament is designed for local players and will help expose our boys,” Daddy Brima said.
The SLFA President underscored the importance of qualifying for major tournaments such as the AFCON, World Cup, and CHAN which is significant to the growth of football in the country.
He urged the players to focus on delivering their best performance for Sierra Leone, emphasizing the need to seize every opportunity to advance in these competitions.