Sierra Leone head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa urged fans to stay optimistic about his young team after their 3-1 loss to DR Congo in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday.

The Leopards played aggressively at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, scoring three goals quickly. Yoane Wissa scored first in the fourth minute, followed by Samuel Moutoussamy in the 35th minute, and Edo Kayembe in the 58th minute.

Samuel Bekoe scored a late goal for Sierra Leone in the 83rd minute but it did not change the outcome.

Da Rosa took the helm in June to rejuvenate the Sierra Leone team, but he has encountered a tough beginning, suffering defeats in his first three games. He must quickly rally the squad, as the two teams are set to clash again in four days.

This defeat leaves Sierra Leone at the bottom of their group as they pursue a place in the AFCON tournament set to take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2027.

The French coach described his team as “a promising side with young talent” and expressed hope for its future development. He noted that the upcoming match on Tuesday, November 17, in Morocco is Sierra Leone’s last chance to keep its hopes alive for qualifying for the 2027 AFCON.