Sierra Leone have named a 25-man squad for the opening matches of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with newly appointed head coach Didier Da Rosa placing his trust in a group dominated by UK-based players.
Here are some new players: Azeem Kerr Abdulai is joining Hibernian Football Club, Ra’ees Bangura-Williams is with Cambridge United Football Club, and MJ Kamson-Kamara will play for Kilmarnock Football Club.
The Leone Stars begin their qualification journey against Zimbabwe on 24 September in El Abdi, El Jadida, in Morocco before travelling to Cameroon to face Equatorial Guinea in their second fixture.
The matches mark the start of a crucial campaign as Sierra Leone look to secure a return to Africa’s biggest football tournament under new boss Gomes.
Having failed to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast and the 2025 finals in Morocco, expectations are high for Gomes Da Rosa to guide the national team back to the continental stage.
His first squad blends experienced internationals with emerging talent, with several players based in the United Kingdom featuring prominently in the 25-man selection.
The new coach will be hoping the fresh-look squad can make a positive start to the qualifiers and build momentum in Sierra Leone’s bid to reach the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa.
