June 07, (THEWILL) – Sierra Leone’s national team head coach, John Keister, has officially revealed his provisional squad consisting of 38 players ahead of their highly anticipated Group A 2023 AFCON qualifier against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
The announcement, delivered through the Sierra Leone Football Association’s official Twitter account, has engendered optimism among Leone Stars fans, who firmly believe their team will secure a spot in next year’s tournament in Cote d’Ivoire. The provisional squad comprises a mix of talent from within Sierra Leone and abroad, with 26 players based at home and 12 plying their trade overseas, all vying for a coveted position in the final selection.
Coach Keister’s decision to incorporate a significant number of players from the domestic league showcases his faith in the abilities of local talents, while also recognising the impact and experience that foreign-based players can bring to the team. Some notable names in Sierra Leone’s provisional squad include Steven Caulker, who plays in England, as well as Kamil Conteh, Alhaji Kamara, Idris Kanu, Lamin Conteh, Mohamed Kamara, and Daniel Karim, among others.
The upcoming clash between the Leone Stars and the Super Eagles is scheduled to take place on 18 June at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in Liberia. This venue selection is due to Sierra Leone’s ongoing suspension from hosting international matches on their home soil. Even with this setback, the Leone Stars are determined to give the Super Eagles a formidable challenge as they strive to secure vital points in their quest to reach the 2023 AFCON.
Currently occupying the third spot in the group, Sierra Leone must emerge victorious against the Super Eagles to maintain a realistic chance of reaching Cote d’Ivoire. In the last match between the two teams, played in June 2022 at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, the Super Eagles staged a comeback from a goal down to secure a 2-1 victory against Sierra Leone. This time, the Leone Stars will be fueled by a desire for revenge.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
