Sierra Leone national football team

Sierra Leone
Nickname(s)	Leone Stars
Association	SLFA
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach	John Keister
Captain	Steven Caulker
Most caps	Umaru Bangura (55)
Top scorer	Mohamed Kallon (8)
Home stadium	Freetown National Stadium
FIFA code	SLE
FIFA ranking
Current	124 4 (21 September 2023)[1]
Highest	50 (August 2014)
Lowest	172 (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
Appearances	3 (first in 1994)
Best result	Group stage (1994, 1996, 2021)

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 three times.

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

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

2023

22 March 2023 AFCON qualification	Sierra Leone	2–2	São Tomé and Príncipe	Agadir, Morocco
18:00 UTC±0	Bundu 48' Komeh 78'	Report	Leal 43', 59'	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	Samura 7' Alh. Koroma 28'	Stadium: Adrar Stadium Referee: Jean Philippe Vlei Patrick Tanguy (DR Congo)

18 June 2023 AFCON qualification	Sierra Leone	2–3	Nigeria	Monrovia, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0	Bundu 41' Kargbo 84'	Report	Osimhen 19', 32' Iheanacho 90+5'	Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Referee: Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)

11 September 2023 AFCON qualification	Guinea-Bissau	2–1	Sierra Leone	Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
16:00 UTC±0	Nito 35' Djú 48'	Report	Bakayoko 6'	Stadium: Estádio 24 de Setembro Referee: Boubou Traoré (Mali)

17 October Friendly

Benin

1–1

Sierra Leone

November 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification

Ethiopia

v

Sierra Leone

November 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification

Sierra Leone

v

Egypt

Coaching history

Burkhard Pape (1966–1968)
Klaus Ebbighausen (1976–1978)
Warwick Rimmer (1979)
Christian Cole (1989)
Christian Cole (1991)
Raymond Zarpanelian (1993–1994)
Roger Palmgren (1996)
John Sherington (1996–1997)
Abdulai Sesay (1997–2000)
Dušan Drašković (2000)
Christian Cole (2001)
José Antonio Nogueira (2003)
John Sherington (2003–2006)
James Peters (2006–2007)
Mohamed Kanu (2007–2009)
Daniel Koroma (2009–2010)
Christian Cole (2010–2011)
Lars-Olof Mattsson (2011–2013)
Johnathan McKinstry (2013–2014)
Atto Mensah (2014)
John Ajina Sesay (2014–2015)
John Sherington (2015)
Sellas Tetteh (2015–2017)
John Keister (2017–2019)
Sellas Tetteh (2019–2020)
John Keister (2020–)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Guinea-Bissau on 11 September 2023.[7]

Caps and goals are correct as of 18 June 2023, after the match against Nigeria.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Mohamed Kamara	(1999-04-29) 29 April 1999	17	0	Horoya
16	1GK	Ibrahim Sesay	(2004-10-18) 18 October 2004	6	0	Bo Rangers
	1GK	Donald Kamara	(2002-07-16) 16 July 2002	0	0	East End Lions

2	2DF	Osman Kakay	(1997-08-25) 25 August 1997	17	0	Queens Park Rangers
15	2DF	Abu Bakarr Samura	(1995-08-10) 10 August 1995	11	1	Bo Rangers
19	2DF	Emmanuel Samadia	(2001-04-19) 19 April 2001	10	0	Hapoel Rishon LeZion
18	2DF	Lamin Conteh	(1994-12-15) 15 December 1994	9	0	Johansen
3	2DF	Alpha Turay	(2005-05-26) 26 May 2005	1	0	FC Kallon
13	2DF	Edward Bello Yillah	(1996-10-04) 4 October 1996	0	0	Mighty Blackpool
21	2DF	Joseph Cleveland	(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000	0	0	Ports Authority
	2DF	Juma Bah	(2006-04-11) 11 April 2006	0	0	Freetownian SLIFA

8	3MF	Alusine Koroma	(2000-06-09) 9 June 2000	9	0	Al-Shahaniya
10	3MF	Saidu Fofanah	(1997-09-14) 14 September 1997	7	1	Kallon
6	3MF	Saidu Bah Kamara	(2002-03-03) 3 March 2002	3	0	Bo Rangers
14	3MF	Ibrahim Turay	(1999-05-05) 5 May 1999	2	0	Bo Rangers
	3MF	Mamadou Saidou Sow	(1999-08-19) 19 August 1999	0	0	Fortuna
4	3MF	Mohamed Billoh Kabba	(2004-11-26) 26 November 2004	0	0	Bo Rangers
24	3MF	Sallieu Bah	(2002-01-01) 1 January 2002	0	0	Wilberforce Strikers

7	4FW	Augustus Kargbo	(1999-08-24) 24 August 1999	12	2	Cesena
	4FW	Jonathan Morsay	(1997-10-05) 5 October 1997	7	1	AEL Limassol
11	4FW	Amadou Bakayoko	(1996-01-01) 1 January 1996	7	1	Dundee
9	4FW	Augustine Williams	(1997-08-03) 3 August 1997	7	0	Charleston Battery
20	4FW	Ron Gandi Williams	(1998-09-08) 8 September 1998	2	0	Mighty Blackpool
17	4FW	Rodney Michael	(1999-08-10) 10 August 1999	0	0	Free agent

Recent call-ups

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
GK	Saidu F Kamara	(1996-11-20) 20 November 1996			Mighty Blackpool	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023

DF	Steven Caulker	(1991-12-29) 29 December 1991	13	0	Free agent	v. Nigeria, 18 June 2023
DF	Daniel Francis	(2002-07-10) 10 July 2002	2	0	KFC Uerdingen 05	v. Nigeria, 18 June 2023
DF	Edward Fornah	(1999-11-28) 28 November 1999	0	0	Luawa	v. Nigeria, 18 June 2023
DF	Eshiek Kamara	(1998-12-16) 16 December 1998	0	0	Bo Rangers	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
DF	Alpha Turay	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998			FC Kallon	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
DF	Saidu Mansaray	(2001-02-21) 21 February 2001	8	0	Bo Rangers	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
DF	John Kamara	(1988-05-12) 12 May 1988	26	1	Egaleo	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023

MF	Kamil Conteh	(2002-12-26) 26 December 2002	8	0	Grimsby Town	v. Nigeria, 18 June 2023
MF	Abu Dumbuya	(1985-01-29) 29 January 1985	9	0	Freetownian SLIFA	v. Nigeria, 18 June 2023
MF	Prince Barrie	(1997-08-18) 18 August 1997	8	0	East End Lions	v. Nigeria, 18 June 2023
MF	Mohamed Kamara	(1987-11-16) 16 November 1987	33	2	East End Lions	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
MF	Abu Bakarr Barrie	(1999-11-28) 28 November 1999			Diamond Stars	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
MF	Ballie Kamara	(1997-01-29) 29 January 1997			F.C. Johansen	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
MF	Mohamed Buya Turay	(1995-01-10) 10 January 1995	13	0	Free agent	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
MF	Alhassan Koroma	(2000-06-09) 9 June 2000	10	1	Linense	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023

FW	Mustapha Bundu	(1997-02-27) 27 February 1997	14	3	Plymouth Argyle	v. Nigeria, 18 June 2023
FW	Musa Kamara	(1999-08-06) 6 August 1999	12	3	Bo Rangers	v. Nigeria, 18 June 2023
FW	Idris Kanu	(1999-12-05) 5 December 1999	2	0	Barnet	v. Nigeria, 18 June 2023
FW	Abu Komeh	(2001-05-21) 21 May 2001	2	1	Bo Rangers	v. Nigeria, 18 June 2023
FW	Santigie Sesay	(2000-12-19) 19 December 2000	0	0	Unknown	v. Nigeria, 18 June 2023
FW	Alhaji Kamara	(1994-04-16) 16 April 1994	12	5	Randers	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
FW	Sullay Kaikai	(1995-08-26) 26 August 1995	9	1	Cambridge United	v. São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
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 11 September 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
1	Umaru Bangura	55	4	2006–present
2	Ibrahim Bah	45	3	1986–1998
3	Mohamed Kallon	40	8	1995–2012
4	Kei Kamara	39	7	2008–2022
5	Sheriff Suma	37	3	2006–2015
6	Medo Kamara	33	1	2008–present
6	Kwame Quee	33	3	2012–present
8	Julius Wobay	32	4	2001–2018
9	Ibrahim Kargbo	30	1	2000–2013
10	Yeami Dunia	29	0	2012–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Mohamed Kallon	8	40	0.2	1995–2012
2	Kei Kamara	7	39	0.18	2008–2022
3	Lamine Conteh	6	20	0.3	1993–2006
4	Alhaji Kamara	5	14	0.36	2012–present
5	Teteh Bangura	4	12	0.33	2011–2014
	Alhassan Kamara	4	16	0.25	2012–2018
	Abu Kanu	4	16	0.25	1994–2003
	Mustapha Bangura	4	17	0.24	2005–2016
	Julius Wobay	4	31	0.13	2001–2018
	Umaru Bangura	4	55	0.07	2006–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1962	Not affiliated to CAF								Not affiliated to CAF
1966	Not affiliated to CAF								Not affiliated to CAF
1970	Did not enter								Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify								2	0	0	2	0	3
1978									4	1	1	2	8	9
1982									2	0	1	1	3	5
1986									2	0	0	2	0	5
1990	Did not enter								Did not enter
1994	Withdrew								Withdrew
1998	Did not qualify								2	0	0	2	0	2
2002									10	2	1	7	6	17
2006									2	0	1	1	1	2
2010									8	3	2	3	5	8
2014									6	2	2	2	10	10
2018									2	1	0	1	2	2
2022									2	1	0	1	2	3
2026	To be determined								To be determined

Total		0/22							42	10	8	24	37	66

Africa Cup of Nations

Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad
1962	Not affiliated to CAF
1963
1965
1968	Did not enter
1970	Withdrew
1972	Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify
1976	Did not enter
1978	Did not qualify
1980	Did not enter
1982	Did not qualify
1984	Did not qualify
1986	Withdrew
1988	Did not qualify
1990	Withdrew
1992	Did not qualify
1994	Round 1	10th	2	0	1	1	0	4	Squad
1996	Round 1	13th	3	1	0	2	2	7	Squad
1998	Withdrew
2000	Disqualified due to civil war
2002	Did not qualify
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2013
2015
2017
2019	Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
2021	Group stage	18th	3	0	2	1	2	3	Squad
2023	Did not qualify
2025	To be determined
Total	0 titles	3/34	8	1	3	4	4	14	—

Coaching staff

Head coach	John Keister
Assistant coach	Ajet Shehu
Assistant coach	Amidu Karim
Head of medical	Songor Koedoyoma
Sport care therapist	Joris De Vos

References

"The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
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.
"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.
"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.
"Ebola affecting Sierra Leone team – Michael Lahoud". BBC Sport. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
"The land where football is religion". FIFATV. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021 – via YouTube.
"Leone Stars' squad to face Djurtus (Wild Dogs) of Guinea Bissau on Monday the 11th September, 2023 at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in the city of Bissau". www.facebook.com. Sierra Leone Football Association. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
"Sierra Leone". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

Sources

Sierra Leone to 'host' the Elephants of Ivory Coast in Abidjan – footballsierraleone.net (archived 5 March 2016)
Sierra Leone 1–1 Malawi: International Friendly – footballsierraleone.net (archived 5 April 2016)

External links

Football Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone Football Association
Sierra Leone at CAF
Sierra Leone at FIFA
Sierra Leone at National-Football-Teams.com

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 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] "Leone Stars' squad to face Djurtus (Wild Dogs) of Guinea Bissau on Monday the 11th September, 2023 at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in the city of Bissau". www.facebook.com. Sierra Leone Football Association. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.

[8] "Sierra Leone". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

National and regional football teams of Africa (CAF)
North Africa (UNAF)	Algeria Egypt Libya Morocco Tunisia
West Africa (WAFU)	Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
East Africa (CECAFA)	Burundi Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zanzibar¹
Central Africa (UNIFFAC)	Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo DR Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon São Tomé and Príncipe
Southern Africa (COSAFA)	Angola Botswana Comoros Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
Non-regional Members	Réunion¹
Football in Africa portal ¹ Regional team, an associate member of CAF but not a member of FIFA