Newly appointed East End Lions head coach Patrick Bangura has unveiled a 30-man squad for the club’s CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round double-header against Côte d’Ivoire’s AF Amadou Diallo next month.

Bangura, who recently took charge of the reigning Orange Sierra Leone FA Cup champions after his stint with Old Edwardians, has selected three goalkeepers, nine defenders, 10 midfielders and eight forwards for the club’s return to continental competition.

The squad includes 11 new signings acquired on permanent and loan deals, among them midfielder Saymah Kamara, who joins from Bullom Stars of Lungi.

Coach Bangura said the team is ready for the continental challenge, stressing that the players and technical staff are mentally, morally, and physically prepared to represent Sierra Leone.

Coach Bangura also appealed to East End Lions supporters and football fans across Sierra Leone and beyond to rally behind the club as it embarked on the prestigious continental campaign.

East End Lions are scheduled to face AF-Amadou Diallo in a two-legged preliminary-round tie during the first and second weeks of September. 

And should they shine in the first round of qualifiers, they’ll meet the winner of the tie between Nigeria’s Shooting Stars and Tunisia’s CS-Sfaxien in the second preliminary round.

Full East End Lions’ 30-Man Squad

Goalkeepers: Abdul Bundu, Abubakarr Kamara, Chinedu Udeh.

Defenders: Abdul Nyamekye, Idrissa Sesay, Musa Ademu, Mohamed Fofanah, Abubakarr Kargbo, Abubakarr Massaquoi, Emmanuel Ansumana, Mohamed Kallon, Abdul Bangura.

Midfielders: Alusine Dumbuya, Osman Koroma, Dominic Kargbo, Musa Bangura, Saymah Kamara, Bankole Cole, Sunday Oliseh, Philip Aidoo, Kabba Timbo, Yusif Ibrahim.

Forwards: Mohamed Bangura, Sulaiman S. Kargbo, Alie Conteh, Emmanuel Innocent, Mohamed Adil, Alusine Turay, George Mattar, Hosea Nuhu.