Sierra Leone learn 2026 World Cup Qualifying Opponents  

Sierra Leone men’s senior team will face opposition from Africa powerhouse Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, and Djibouti in their Africa 2026 World Cup qualifying group.

The Leone Stars’ journey to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023.

Before the draw, the Leone Stars were listed in group four of the seeding countries for the 2026 Fifa World Cup – drawn in Group A. Sierra Leone was eliminated from the African Cup of Nations race to Ivory Coast 2023 after a 3-2 defeat to Nigeria at the SKD stadium in June.

During the 2022 World Cup preliminary, Liberia eliminated Sierra Leone 3-2 on aggregate after the Lone Star won the first leg 3-1 and suffered a 1-0 defeat in Freetown, both matches played in September 2019.

However, with the latest format of 48 teams competing with a minimum of nine African sides guaranteed places for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many Sierra Leoneans believe this is Leone Stars’ best chance ever.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted in three countries, Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The group stage qualifiers will start in November this year. Opening matches will take place over ten matchdays during the next two years: 13-21 November 2023 – 3-11 June 2024; 17-25 March 2025; 1-9 September 2025; 6-14 October 2025; 10-18 November 2025 (Playoffs).

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• Members were pleased with the decisions taken at SLFA Ordinary Congress.
• The reduction of Premier League teams from present 18 to 12 was unanimously embraced by members by the 2025/26 league season. 
• A package of artificial turf, floodlight, perimeter fence, 100KVA generator and 100-seater pavilion at the SLFA Academy Field, Approved School Field, Port Loko Town Field and Bo Coronation Field are all in the pipeline.

“For me, this was the best Congress attended in a decade with my experinced in previous Congress,” a member who wanted to remain anonymous attested.

“An open discussions on desicive issues towards the development of the game. We are more unified as President Daddy Brima – and his executive outlined isssues and progress updates on urgent infastratural process. Now, we wait to see the outcome.”

Toeing the line was Mighty Blackpool and one of the most experienced football administrators in the country, Rodney Michael.

“Overall, the congress was well organised in line with the provisions of the statutes. Documents submitted a bit late, but everyone was given the opportunity to freely participate and even criticise without being frowned upon,” Rodney Michael, one of the leading administrators, noted.

The Mighty Blackpool chairman continues, “The process was smooth as the Chairman of the occasion, who happens to be the FA boss, allowed congress to delibrates to decide on almost all issues. There were issues of concerns raised, but overall the FA presented a lot of ambitious projects in the pipeline, which if they materialise, would be a wonderful achievement by the President and his Executive. We wait in excitement to see the completion of the projects.”

Congress Wrap-Up

Led by the Sierra Leone Football Association President Thomas Daddy Brima and his Executive Committee, the first under his leadership since he took office in 2021, was witnessed by the Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, Executive Director of the National Sports Authority Dr Kenneth Brima and the President of the National Olympic Committee Prince Suallay.

Among other things, stakeholders deliberated on issues pertinent to the development of football nationwide, key among which was the adoption of a new Football Ecosystem aimed at reducing the number of teams in the various SLFA leagues to ensure quality, efficiency and proper league management.

President Thomas Daddy Brima vehemently disclosed several upcoming developmental projects set to be implemented by his Executive Committee. As per the president’s statement, a package of artificial turf, floodlight, perimeter fence, 100KVA generator and 100-seater pavilion at the SLFA Academy Field, Approved School Field, Port Loko Town Field and Bo Coronation Field are all in the pipeline.

“As part of the same projects, the Kono artificial turf pitch will be renovated with a perimeter fence whiles the Kenema pitch will be equipped with standard floodlight.”

The projects are set to commence in August 2023 as the Netherland-based contractors representing Edel Grass are expected to arrive in Freetown on Friday, July 7th, to complete the necessary documentation.

@SLFA_sl held a successful Ordinary Congress at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Wednesday, July 5th. Led by @thomasdbrima stakeholders were pleased with the process and outcome.

Some even described it as the best over the last decade. @thomasdbrima @bittar32 #FootballNews pic.twitter.com/KMFbxxhKcs

— @football_sierra (FSL Media) 🇸🇱 website (@football_sierra) July 6, 2023

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After round 30 of the Sierra Leone Premier League, Bo Rangers are the winners for the season 2022/23 after defeating Wusum Stars Football Club 2-0 on Sunday at the Southern Arena.Their second straight title in the club’s history. A remarkable achievement for the Southern Province outfit with four games to spare.

Abu Komeh netted the first goal in the 72nd minute from the penalty spot before Suffian Kaloko sealed the all-important win in the 78 minutes.

The Elephant Boys are the fifth team in the Sierra Leone Premier League history to win a back-to-back title after Mighty Blackpool in 1978 and 1979, Real Republicans in 1983 and 1984, and Diamond Stars in 2012 and 2013.

Head coach Alhaji Foray was fully aware before entering the crucial encounter a win would guarantee them the coveted championship title and bring immense joy to their loyal supporters. 

With their sights firmly set on victory, the team delivered an impressive performance that left their opponents struggling to keep up.

East End Lions remain the only team to have won the league three in a row -1992, 1993 and 1994.

The title means they have qualified to compete in the next CAF Champions League after making their debut in the last continental club competition.

Related News – CAF CL: Bo Rangers eliminated after defeat in Algeria

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• It was the end of the road for Sierra Leone as Nigeria emerged victorious at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in the Liberian capital Monrovia in the Group A match day five African Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday.

The three-time African Champions prevailed with a 3-2 scoreline to secure their ticket to play at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

Napoli’s hit-man striker Victor Osimhen scored a brace in the 19th and 32nd minutes, respectively, to help the Super Eagles grab maximum points.

Sierra Leone came into the game knowing only a victory to revive their hopes of reaching AFCON 2023. In the 41st minute, Mustapha Bundu restored hope for the Leone Stars when he struck from the edge of the box to reduce the deficit just before the break.

Sierra Leone put up a show back from half-time, knowing they needed to score goals with renewed determination.

After a couple of half chances, Augustus Kargbo equalized with a powerful shot from outside the box. The momentum favoured the Sierra Leoneans, who continued to create opportunities, albeit leaving gaps for the ever-vigilant Super Eagles.

In the end, it was Leicester City’s attacker Kelechi Iheanacho, who seized the moment, securing Nigeria’s qualification with a crucial goal. This result also guarantees qualification for Guinea-Bissau.

The final group matches are to be played in September as Sierra Leone tackles Guinea-Bissua and Nigeria hosts Sao Tome.

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Sierra Leone’s head coach John Keister is not shying away from the fact that his side must win against Nigeria to rekindle hopes of reaching Ivory Coast 2023.

Having secured five points from four matches in the ongoing qualifiers, the technician backed his side to turn up against the three-time African Champions when the two sides lock horns at the SKD in Liberia on Sunday.

Speaking to Football Sierra Leone, the Manchester-born acknowledged that his young side must be positive in their approach over 90 minutes from kickoff.

“We know this is a match that we need to win, and therefore we have to be positive in our approach against a difficult Nigerian side – and we will definitely be.”

“We are a young group, but there is just this feeling that we can come here and get a result against Nigeria. It’s going to be a fight – we are ready to deal with whatever is thrown at us. Football is about the day who wants it the most.”

Sierra Leone to host the Group A leaders at the SKD Stadium in Liberia on June 18th. Nigeria won the first meeting between the two nations 2-1 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on 09 June 2022.

Sierra Leone Stars have played all their home games in the race to Ivory Coast on the road away from Freetown, with no suitable ground in their country to host international matches.

Guinea-Bissau topped Group A of the qualifiers with ten points after five qualifying matches, followed by Nigeria with nine, while Sierra Leone is third with five points.

In seventeen meetings between the West African nations, Sierra Leone only managed two wins, ten defeats and five draws. 

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