Wikipedia

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 three times.

Sierra Leone
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Leone Stars
AssociationSLFA
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachAmidu Karim
CaptainOsman Kakay
Most capsUmaru Bangura (55)
Top scorerMohamed Kallon (8)
Home stadiumFreetown National Stadium
FIFA codeSLE
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 126 Steady (4 April 2024)[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 edit

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.[4]

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.[5] 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.[6] The Sierra Leonean national team wasn't allowed to play home games and all players had to be foreign-based.[7]

Results and fixtures edit

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

2023 edit

22 March 2023 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone   2–2   São Tomé and Príncipe Agadir, Morocco
18:00 UTC±0
  • Bundu   48'
  • Komeh   78'
 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)
18 June 2023 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone   2–3   Nigeria Monrovia, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0
Report
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
Report
Stadium: Estádio 24 de Setembro
Referee: Boubou Traoré (Mali)
17 October Friendly Sierra Leone   2–0   Somalia
Report
15 November 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Ethiopia   0–0   Sierra Leone El Jadida, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Stade El Abdi
Attendance: 50
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
19 November 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Sierra Leone   0–2   Egypt Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Attendance: 8,916
Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo (DR Congo)

2024 edit

6 January Friendly Ivory Coast   5–1   Sierra Leone San Pedro, Ivory Coast
17:00 UTC±0}
Report
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
Referee: Dedjinnanchi Ahomlanto (Benin)
11 January Friendly Sierra Leone   1–3   Morocco San Pedro, Ivory Coast
15:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
5 June 2026 World Cup qualification Sierra Leone   2–1   Djibouti El Jadida, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)
10 June 2026 World Cup qualification Burkina Faso   v   Sierra Leone Bamako, Mali
16:00 UTC±0 Report Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars

Coaching history edit

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Djibouti and Burkina Faso on 5 and 10 June 2024.[8]

Caps and goals are correct as of 11 January 2024, after the match against   Morocco.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Francis Koroma (2000-05-15) 15 May 2000 (age 24) 2 0   East End Lions
1GK Donald Kamara (2002-07-16) 16 July 2002 (age 21) 1 0   East End Lions
1GK Isaac Caulker (1992-01-20) 20 January 1992 (age 32) 0 0   Kallon
2DF Osman Kakay (1997-08-25) 25 August 1997 (age 26) 22 0   Queens Park Rangers
2DF Emmanuel Samadia (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 23) 17 0   Hapoel Rishon LeZion
2DF Steven Caulker (1991-12-29) 29 December 1991 (age 32) 13 0   Málaga City
2DF Mohamed Kabia (2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 20) 3 0   Mbabane Swallows
2DF Abdoulie Jarjue Kabia (2001-01-27) 27 January 2001 (age 23) 2 0   Hapoel Kfar Saba
2DF Yusuf Sesay (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 23) 2 0   Bo Rangers
2DF Curtis Davies (1985-03-15) 15 March 1985 (age 39) 1 0   Cheltenham Town
2DF Juma Bah (2006-04-11) 11 April 2006 (age 18) 0 0   Freetownian SLIFA
3MF Augustus Kargbo (1999-08-24) 24 August 1999 (age 24) 15 2   Cesena
3MF Alhassan Koroma (1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 26) 15 1   Al-Shahaniya
3MF Mustapha Bundu (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 27) 14 3   Plymouth Argyle
3MF Abu Dumbuya (1985-01-29) 29 January 1985 (age 39) 14 0   Freetownian SLIFA
3MF Sullay Kaikai (1995-08-26) 26 August 1995 (age 28) 13 1   Cambridge United
3MF Alusine Koroma (1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 26) 10 0   Orihuela
3MF Kamil Conteh (2002-12-26) 26 December 2002 (age 21) 8 0   Bristol Rovers
3MF Ibrahim Sillah (1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 (age 29) 6 0   ACV
3MF Alpha Conteh (2000-05-01) 1 May 2000 (age 24) 3 0   Neftçi
3MF Rodney Michael (1999-08-10) 10 August 1999 (age 24) 3 1   POX
4FW Amadou Bakayoko (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 28) 10 2   Dundee
4FW Sallieu Bah (2006-09-10) 10 September 2006 (age 17) 5 0   Wilberforce Strikers
4FW Daniel Kanu (2004-11-14) 14 November 2004 (age 19) 1 0   Charlton Athletic

Recent call-ups edit

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 Abu Bakar Kamara (2004-01-28) 28 January 2004 (age 20) 0 0   Kallon v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
GK Mohamed Kamara (1999-04-29) 29 April 1999 (age 25) 20 0   Horoya v.   Egypt, 19 November 2023
GK Ibrahim Sesay (2004-10-18) 18 October 2004 (age 19) 13 0   Bo Rangers v.   Egypt, 19 November 2023
DF Abu Bakarr Samura (1995-08-10) 10 August 1995 (age 28) 16 1   Bo Rangers v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
DF Saidu Mansaray (2001-02-21) 21 February 2001 (age 23) 8 0   Bo Rangers v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
DF Santigie Koroma (2003-11-27) 27 November 2003 (age 20) 2 0   LISCR v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
DF Abu Bakarr Barrie (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 24) 0 0   Diamond Stars v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
DF Edward Bello Yillah (1996-10-04) 4 October 1996 (age 27) 0 0   Mighty Blackpool v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
DF Lamin Conteh (1994-12-15) 15 December 1994 (age 29) 10 0   Johansen v.   Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
DF Daniel Francis (2002-07-10) 10 July 2002 (age 21) 2 0   KFC Uerdingen 05 v.   Nigeria, 18 June 2023
DF Edward Fornah (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 24) 0 0   Luawa v.   Nigeria, 18 June 2023
MF Kwame Quee (1996-09-07) 7 September 1996 (age 27) 35 3   Old Edwardians v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Saidu Bah Kamara (2002-03-03) 3 March 2002 (age 22) 8 0   Bo Rangers v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Ibrahim Turay (1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 25) 7 0   Bo Rangers v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Alpha Turay (2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 19) 4 0   Kallon v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Samuel Bekoe (1997-08-24) 24 August 1997 (age 26) 3 0   East End Lions v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Mohamed Fofanah (1998-09-08) 8 September 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Kallon v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Adebayor Black 0 0   Bhantal v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Joseph Cleveland (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24) 0 0   Ports Authority v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Mohamed Buya Turay (1995-01-10) 10 January 1995 (age 29) 17 3   Birmingham Legion v.   Egypt, 19 November 2023
MF Tyrese Fornah (1999-09-11) 11 September 1999 (age 24) 1 0   Derby County v.   Egypt, 19 November 2023
MF Saidu Fofanah (1997-09-14) 14 September 1997 (age 26) 13 1   Kallon v.   Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
MF Mamadou Saidou Sow (1999-08-19) 19 August 1999 (age 24) 0 0   Fortuna v.   Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
MF Mohamed Billoh Kabba (2004-11-26) 26 November 2004 (age 19) 0 0   Bo Rangers v.   Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
MF Prince Barrie (1997-08-18) 18 August 1997 (age 26) 14 1   East End Lions v.   Nigeria, 18 June 2023
FW Alie Conteh (2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 21) 8 2   Kallon v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
FW Abu Komeh (2001-05-21) 21 May 2001 (age 23) 4 2   Bo Rangers v.   Morocco, 11 January 2024
FW Alhaji Kamara (1994-04-16) 16 April 1994 (age 30) 17 5   Randers v.   Egypt, 19 November 2023
FW Jonathan Morsay (1997-10-05) 5 October 1997 (age 26) 10 1   AEL Limassol v.   Egypt, 19 November 2023
FW Augustine Williams (1997-08-03) 3 August 1997 (age 26) 7 0   Indy Eleven v.   Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
FW Ron Gandi Williams (1998-09-08) 8 September 1998 (age 25) 3 0   Mighty Blackpool v.   Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
FW Musa Kamara (1999-08-06) 6 August 1999 (age 24) 12 3   Bo Rangers v.   Nigeria, 18 June 2023
FW Idris Kanu (1999-12-05) 5 December 1999 (age 24) 2 0   Barnet v.   Nigeria, 18 June 2023
FW Santigie Sesay (2000-12-19) 19 December 2000 (age 23) 0 0   Petrovac v.   Nigeria, 18 June 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 edit

As of 19 November 2023[9]
Players in bold are still active with Sierra Leone.

Most appearances edit

 
Umaru Bangura is Sierra Leone's most capped player with 55 appearances.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Umaru Bangura 55 4 2006–2022
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 2008–2021
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 edit

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 17 0.29 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 2006–2022

Competitive record edit

FIFA World Cup edit

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1962 and   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 3 1 1 1 2 3
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total 0/16 45 11 9 25 39 69

Africa Cup of Nations edit

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
  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
      2027
Total 0 titles 3/36 8 1 3 4 4 14 —

Coaching staff edit

Head coach   Amidu Karim
Assistant coach   Francis Koroma
Assistant coach   Alhaji Foray
Sport therapist   Joris De Vos
Head of medical   Songor Koedoyoma
Team manager   Ibrahim Swarray

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  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. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "Ebola affecting Sierra Leone team – Michael Lahoud". BBC Sport. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  7. ^ "The land where football is religion". FIFATV. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "Final Squad". Twitter. Sierra Leone Football Association.
  9. ^ "Sierra Leone". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

Sources edit

External links edit

 
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