The cracker is scheduled for Saturday and will be played at the Alassane Djigo Stadium in Pikine ( a suburb of Dakar).
Spirited Sierra Leone will go into the second leg in Dakar eager to reach the second round of the African Nations Championship – CHAN.
The cracker is scheduled for Saturday and will be played at the Alassane Djigo Stadium in Pikine ( a suburb of Dakar).
The match venue was undecided due to the suspension of all sporting and cultural events by the Senegalese government following the tragedy last Saturday during a League Cup final game.
Previously, was to be played at the Demba Diop Stadium before being relocated.
Having registered an away goal in Freetown last weekend at the Siaka Steven Stadium, the host’s team have the edge over their visitors.
The Local Stars of Sierra Leone have never participated in the CHAN finals but the home-based technician Abubakar Tostao Kamara will be looking to guide his side to the competition next phase.
However, defeating the Young Lions at home will be an uphill battle regardless of the first leg result. The Senegalese are more equipped and they also one of Africa’s big guns.
They played two friendlies as part of the home work against Mauritania – winning the first leg 2-0 in Dakar and lost 2-1 in Nouakchott, while their counterparts’ preparation was surrounded by the endless football predicament in the country.
Meanwhile, Football Sierra Leone sources have indicated that the team is more than determined despite all the alleged obstacles surrounding their travels upon arrival in Dakar on Thursday.
Inside sources have disclosed that the technical team and players have express optimism and with a 1-all first leg draw, is not a mission impossible.
None of the players nor officials looked downcast as they checked in at the Alafifa Hotel in Dakar in spite of latest photos of the team allegedly stranded in Guinea Conakry.
The 34-man delegation to Senegal was warmly received by officials of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF).
“The Ministry of Sports (MOS) and the country’s FA have done their best to ensure that we are here and I want to commend them for their efforts,” Sorie Ibrahim Sesay FA head of Competition have stated.
The winner on aggregate will play either Guinea-Bissau or Guinea in the second round.
Expected Coach Kamara’s Squad:
Keeper: Ibrahim Bangura
Defenders: Kemson Fofanah, Yeami Dunia, Abu Suma, Mohamed Kamanor
Midfielders: Anderson, Abu Kanu, Sorie Barrie, Prince Barrie
Attackers: Donald Wellington, Abdul Badu Bangura
Subs: Issac Caulker, Mohamed Fofanah, Morie Alie, Alfred Sakilla, John Kargbo, Mahmoud Fornah, (Nyakeh O. Alpha or Gibrilla Kamara)
Abu Bakarr Tostao Kamara- Head coach homes based
Amidu Karim- Asst coach
Jeffrey Coker- Goalkeeper coach
John Sama- Coach
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