Sierra Leone national football team

The Sierra Leone national football team represents Sierra Leone in association football and is governed by the Sierra Leone Football Association. It has qualified for Africa Cup of Nations thrice.

Sierra Leone
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Leone Stars
AssociationSLFA
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachJohn Keister
CaptainSteven Caulker
Most capsUmaru Bangura (55)
Top scorerMohamed Kallon (8)
Home stadiumFreetown National Stadium
FIFA codeSLE
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 117 Decrease 1 (6 April 2023)[1]
Highest50 (August 2014)
Lowest172 (September 2007)
First international
Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 10 August 1949)[2]
Biggest win
 Sierra Leone 5–1 Niger 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 7 March 1976)
 Sierra Leone 5–1 Niger 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 3 June 1995)
 Sierra Leone 4–0 São Tomé and Príncipe 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 22 April 2000)
Biggest defeat
 Mali 6–0 Sierra Leone 
(Bamako, Mali; 17 June 2007)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances3 (first in 1994)
Best resultGroup stage (1994, 1996, 2021)

History

Sierra Leone's first match was at home on 10 August 1949 against another British colony, Nigeria, and was lost 2–0. In 1954 it played another British colony and British administered U.N trust territory, Gold Coast and Trans-Volta Togoland, and lost 2–0 away. On 22 April 1961, it hosted Nigeria and lost 4–2. On 12 November 1966, it hosted Liberia in its first match against a non-British colony and earned its first draw, 1–1. A week later, it lost 2–0 in Liberia. On 13 January 1971, it played its first match against a non-African team, West Germany's B-team. The match in Sierra Leone was won 1–0 by the Germans. Sierra Leone's first match outside Africa was its first against an Asian nation, China. It lost 4–1 in China on 5 April 1974.[3]

In August 2014, Sierra Leone FA cancelled all association football matches in an effort to stop the spread of the 2014 Ebola virus epidemic in Sierra Leone, a week after Liberian FA did the same.[4] Sierra Leonean players playing outside Sierra Leone, such as Michael Lahoud playing in the United States, were discriminated against, with opposition players refusing to swap shirts, shake hands and allow them to certain places of the stadium because they fear that they could be carrying the disease.[5] The Sierra Leonean national team wasn't allowed to play home games and all players had to be foreign-based.[6]

Results and fixtures
Main article: Sierra Leone national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2022
9 June 2023 AFCON qualification Nigeria  2–1  Sierra Leone Abuja, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1
  • Iwobi 16'
  • Osimhen 41'
 Report
Stadium: Moshood Abiola National Stadium
Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traore (Ivory Coast)
13 June 2023 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone  2–2  Guinea-Bissau Conakry, Guinea
16:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: General Lansana Conté Stadium
Referee: Abdulwahid Huraywidah (Libya)
24 September Friendly South Africa  4–0  Sierra Leone Soweto, South Africa
15:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: FNB Stadium
27 September Friendly Sierra Leone  0–3  DR Congo Rabat, Morocco
Report
Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium

2023
22 March 2023 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone  2–2  São Tomé and Príncipe Agadir, Morocco
18:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Adrar Stadium
Referee: Mawabwe Bodjona (Togo)
26 March 2023 AFCON qualification São Tomé and Príncipe  0–2  Sierra Leone Agadir, Morocco
16:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Adrar Stadium
Referee: Jean Philippe Vlei Patrick Tanguy (DR Congo)
20 June 2023 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone  v  Nigeria
4 September 2023 AFCON qualification Guinea-Bissau  v  Sierra Leone Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
Stadium: Estádio 24 de Setembro

Coaching history

Players

The following players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against São Tomé and Príncipe on 22 and 26 March 2023.[7]

Caps and goals are correct as of 26 March 2023, after the match against  São Tomé and Príncipe.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Mohamed Kamara (1999-04-29) 29 April 1999 18 0 Guinea Horoya
1GK Ibrahim Sesay (2004-10-18) 18 October 2004 9 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
1GK Donald Kamara (2002-07-16) 16 July 2002 0 0 Sierra Leone East End Lions
2DF John Kamara (1988-05-12) 12 May 1988 26 1 Greece Egaleo
2DF Osman Kakay (1997-08-25) 25 August 1997 17 0 England Queens Park Rangers
2DF Abu Bakarr Samura (1995-08-10) 10 August 1995 12 1 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
2DF Steven Caulker (captain) (1991-12-29) 29 December 1991 12 0 England Wigan Athletic
2DF Lamin Conteh (1994-12-15) 15 December 1994 9 0 Sierra Leone Johansen
2DF Emmanuel Samadia (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 9 0 Israel Hapoel Rishon LeZion
2DF Saidu Mansaray (2001-02-21) 21 February 2001 8 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
2DF Edward Fornah 0 0 Sierra Leone Luawa
3MF Mustapha Bundu (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 13 2 Andorra Andorra
3MF Mohamed Buya Turay (1995-01-10) 10 January 1995 13 0 Free agent
3MF Alhassan Koroma (2000-06-09) 9 June 2000 10 1 Spain Linense
3MF Kamil Conteh (2002-12-26) 26 December 2002 8 0 England Gateshead
3MF Prince Barrie (1997-08-18) 18 August 1997 7 0 Sierra Leone East End Lions
3MF Alusine Koroma (2000-06-09) 9 June 2000 7 0 Spain Linense
3MF Saidu Bah Kamara (2002-03-03) 3 March 2002 5 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
3MF Ibrahim Turay 2 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
3MF Mohamed Billoh Kabba (2004-11-26) 26 November 2004 0 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
4FW Alhaji Kamara (1994-04-16) 16 April 1994 12 5 Denmark Randers
4FW Musa Noah Kamara (1999-08-06) 6 August 1999 11 3 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
4FW Augustus Kargbo (1999-08-24) 24 August 1999 11 1 Italy Crotone
4FW Sullay Kaikai (1995-08-26) 26 August 1995 9 1 England Milton Keynes Dons
4FW Jonathan Morsay (1997-10-05) 5 October 1997 7 1 Greece Panetolikos
4FW Ron Gandy Williams (1998-09-08) 8 September 1998 2 0 Sierra Leone Mighty Blackpool
4FW Abu Komeh (2001-05-21) 21 May 2001 1 1 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
4FW Rodney Michael (1999-08-10) 10 August 1999 0 0 Montenegro Mornar

The following players had been called up in 12 months preceding the above draft.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Alie Sesay (1994-08-02) 2 August 1994 11 0 Hong Kong Lee Man v.  Guinea-Bissau, 13 June 2022
DF Kevin Wright (1995-12-28) 28 December 1995 8 0 United States Oakland Roots v.  Guinea-Bissau, 13 June 2022
DF Daniel Francis (2002-07-10) 10 July 2002 2 0 Germany Uerdingen v.  Guinea-Bissau, 13 June 2022
MF Kwame Quee (1996-09-07) 7 September 1996 33 3 Free agent v.  Guinea-Bissau, 13 June 2022
MF Kallum Cesay (2002-09-04) 4 September 2002 4 2 England Tottenham Hotspur v.  Guinea-Bissau, 13 June 2022
MF Ibrahim Sillah (1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 3 0 Germany Kickers Emden v.  Guinea-Bissau, 13 June 2022
FW Augustine Williams (1997-08-03) 3 August 1997 6 0 United States Charleston Battery v.  DR Congo, 27 September 2022
FW Moses Turay (2004-02-11) 11 February 2004 1 0 France Troyes v.  DR Congo, 27 September 2022
FW Victor Mansaray (1997-02-22) 22 February 1997 0 0 Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City training camp, August 2022
FW Amadou Bakayoko (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 7 1 England Forest Green Rovers v.  Guinea-Bissau, 13 June 2022
Notes

INJ Withdrew due to injury.
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Had announced retirement from international association football.
SUS Is serving a suspension.
PRI Absent due to private circumstances.
WD Withdrawn.

Records
As of 26 March 2023[8]
Players in bold are still active with Sierra Leone.

Most appearances
Umaru Bangura is Sierra Leone's most capped player with 55 appearances.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1Umaru Bangura5542006–present
2Ibrahim Bah4531986–1998
3Mohamed Kallon4081995–2012
4Kei Kamara3972008–2022
5Sheriff Suma3732006–2015
6Medo Kamara3312008–present
Kwame Quee3332012–present
8Julius Wobay3242001–2018
9Ibrahim Kargbo3012000–2013
10Yeami Dunia2902012–present

Top goalscorers
Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Mohamed Kallon8400.21995–2012
2Kei Kamara7390.182008–2022
3Lamine Conteh6200.31993–2006
4Alhaji Kamara5140.362012–present
5Teteh Bangura4120.332011–2014
Alhassan Kamara4160.252012–2018
Abu Kanu4160.251994–2003
Mustapha Bangura4170.242005–2016
Julius Wobay4310.132001–2018
Umaru Bangura4550.072006–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
Final Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Chile 1962 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
England 1966
Mexico 1970 did not enter did not enter
West Germany 1974 did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 3
Argentina 1978 4 1 1 2 8 9
Spain 1982 2 0 1 1 3 5
Mexico 1986 2 0 0 2 0 5
Italy 1990 did not enter did not enter
United States 1994 Withdrew Withdrew
France 1998 did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 2
South KoreaJapan 2002 10 2 1 7 6 17
Germany 2006 2 0 1 1 1 2
South Africa 2010 8 3 2 3 5 8
Brazil 2014 6 2 2 2 10 10
Russia 2018 2 1 0 1 2 2
Qatar 2022 2 1 0 1 2 3
Canada Mexico United States 2026 to be determined to be determined
Total 42 10 8 24 37 66

Africa Cup of Nations
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Ethiopia 1962Not affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965
Ethiopia 1968 did not enter
Sudan 1970 Withdrew
Cameroon 1972 did not enter
Egypt 1974 did not qualify
Ethiopia 1976 did not enter
Ghana 1978 did not qualify
Nigeria 1980 did not enter
Libya 1982 did not qualify
Ivory Coast 1984
Egypt 1986 Withdrew
Morocco 1988 did not qualify
Algeria 1990 Withdrew
Senegal 1992 did not qualify
Tunisia 1994 Round 1 10th 2 0 1 1 0 4 Squad
South Africa 1996 Round 1 13th 3 1 0 2 2 7 Squad
Burkina Faso 1998 Withdrew
Nigeria Ghana 2000 Disqualified due to civil war
Mali 2002 did not qualify
Tunisia 2004
Egypt 2006
Ghana 2008
Angola 2010
Gabon Equatorial Guinea 2012
South Africa 2013
Equatorial Guinea 2015
Gabon 2017
Egypt 2019 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
Cameroon 2021 Group stage 18th 3 0 2 1 2 3 Squad
Ivory Coast 2023 to be determined
2025
Total8134414

Coaching staff
Head coachSierra Leone John Keister
Assistant coach England Ajet Shehu
Assistant coachSierra Leone Amidu Karim
Head of medicalSierra Leone Songor Koedoyoma
Sport care therapistBelgium Joris De Vos

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  2. Courtney, Barrie (15 August 2006). "Sierra Leone – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  3. "Sierra Leone – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 19 November 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  4. "Sierra Leone suspends football matches as Ebola virus spreads". The Independent. 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  5. "Ebola affecting Sierra Leone team – Michael Lahoud". BBC Sport. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  6. "The land where football is religion". FIFATV. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  7. "Official Squad". Facebook. Sierra Leone Football Association. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  8. "Sierra Leone". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

Sources
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