Shanghai Port winger Issa Kallon and Cambuur left-back Alex Bangura will not be available for selection as Sierra Leone prepares for the Sao Tome doubleheader later this month.

Coach John Keister’s side will return to continental action in the race to reach the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

Kallon, 27, who joined Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port in July last year, has confirmed his unavailability for selection.

“I am just returning from Injury. I want to get back to full fitness. I will not be part of the team as I am staying in China,” Kallon told Football Sierra Leone.

 He added, “We have a new coach who wants to see and know his players better during pre-season.”

When asked about future Sierra Leone call up, he said, “I do not know. We will see at the time my situation.”

Alex Bangura, 23, the Cambuur skipper, is unavailable for comment. However, a source close to Sierra Leone Football Association has confirmed Bangura’s omission from the squad, citing personal reasons. 

Third, in Group A, Sierra Leone is to host São Tomé and Príncipe on March 22nd 2023, at the 45,000-capacity Grand Stade Adrar Agadir in Morocco before the second leg on 26. 

Sierra Leone staged a second-half comeback to share spoils with Guinea-Bissau in their matchday two Group A Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in the Guinean capital in June 2022.

Both West African nations played to a 2-2 draw, and as a result, Sierra Leone placed third in the group with a point after their two opening games.

To regain qualification hopes, Sierra Leone must win both matches or at least secure four points against their Central African opposition as they bid to reach Ivory Coast next year.

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