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Bilili Sesay's debut delight after World Cup qualifying win with Sierra Leone
by Football Sierra Leone

Bilili Sesay’s debut delight after World Cup qualifying win with Sierra Leone

Seventeen-year-old John Bilili Sesay, a player for local Sierra Leone Premier League club Bhantal FC, made his international debut during a 3-1 win against Guinea-Bissau in World Cup qualifying on Thursday in Liberia’s capital.

Sesay made a strong impression after being substituted on for Salford City midfielder Tyrese Fornah in the 72nd minute during his debut for Sierra Leone.

This performance was the perfect boost for Sesay, who has been impressive for Bhantal this season. “I’m delighted to have finally made my Sierra Leone debut,” Sesay said. “I felt good, I felt comfortable, and it’s a really happy moment for me.”

“A debut and a victory in a World Cup qualifier is a huge bonus for the entire Bhantal management.”

Next up for Sesay and his team is a trip to Cairo, Egypt, where they will face Mohamed Salah’s Pharaohs on matchday six of the qualifiers for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Coach Mohamed Kallon’s team will be up against the Group A leaders on Tuesday, following their recent victory against Guinea-Bissau in Liberia’s capital.

Seventeen-year-old John Bilili Sesay has been pivotal for local Bhantal FC this campaign in the Sierra Leone top-flight
Seventeen-year-old John Bilili Sesay has been pivotal for local Bhantal FC this campaign in the Sierra Leone top-flight
Sesay's teammate, Mohamed Bangura was handed his Sierra Leone debut for matchday five of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, CAF Group A
Sesay's teammate, Mohamed Bangura was handed his Sierra Leone debut for matchday five of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, CAF Group A
Sesay made a strong impression after being substituted on for Salford City midfielder Tyrese Fornah in the 72nd minute during his debut for Sierra Leone
Sesay made a strong impression after being substituted on for Salford City midfielder Tyrese Fornah in the 72nd minute during his debut for Sierra Leone
Morocco beat Sierra Leone in U20 friendly at the Mohammed VI Complex
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco beat Sierra Leone in U20 friendly at the Mohammed VI Complex

The Moroccan U20 national team won a friendly match against Sierra Leone 2-0 at the Mohammed VI Complex on Saturday night, with goals scored by Ismail Al-Aoud and Adnan Kharoubi.

Both nations used this match as part of their preparation for the upcoming African Cup Of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Sierra Leone has made significant changes by bringing in several foreign-based players to identify those who can make the final list for the upcoming tournament in Ivory Coast next month.

Notable players starting for Sierra Leone in a friendly match against Morocco include Samal Bangura from Tottenham Hotspur, Cayden Cole from Hull City, David Kalokoh from AFC Ajax, Kelvin Kargbo from AFC Wimbledon, and Hindolo Mustapha from Crystal Palace Football Club.

Sierra Leone’s next match is against Ghana on Saturday, March 25, where they aim to build on their performance before the continental tournament.

The stakes are high, as the four teams reaching the semi-finals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will earn spots in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will take place in Chile. Senegal’s Junior Teranga Lions enter the competition as the defending champions.

In a previous match, Morocco defeated Ghana 1-0 at the Mohammed VI Complex. This victory was particularly noteworthy because Morocco played with one less player for over 70 minutes after Faisal El Meziani was sent off in the first half.

Ilias Boumassaoudi, a winger from FC Den Bosch in the Dutch first division, scored the only goal of the match after excellent teamwork set him up.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s team demonstrated strong teamwork and discipline, successfully defending their lead against a Ghanaian team that was unable to score.

Even with one player down, the Moroccan team showed positive signs as they prepared for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to take place in Ivory Coast from April 26 to May 18, 2025.

Sierra Leone go second in Group A in coach Kallon's debut qualifying triumph
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone go second in Group A after coach Kallon’s debut qualifying triumph

Sierra Leone began a new era under the leadership of former Inter Milan striker Mohamed Kallon, securing a 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau in the Liberian capital on Thursday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Complex.

With this victory in the World Cup qualifiers, Sierra Leone move into second place in Group A with eight points, trailing two points behind Egypt. They will face Egypt next, hoping to boost their chances of qualification.

The Leone Stars took the lead early in the match when Plymouth Argyle attacker Mustapha Bundu capitalized on a defensive mistake by Guinea-Bissau debutant Babacar Babacra Fati in the 19th minute.

A long ball from Lens defender Juma Bah was mishandled by Fati, and Bundu finished the opportunity confidently to put Sierra Leone ahead in the 19th minute.

The home side nearly doubled their lead when Alhassan Koroma manoeuvred past his marker but was unable to maintain control and lost the chance to score.

In the second half, Sierra Leone absorbed pressure from their opponents and extended their lead in the 61st minute. Musa Noah Kamara scored the second goal, assisted by MLS legend Kei Kamara.

The visitors responded quickly, with substitute striker Tamble Ulisses Folgado Monteiro pulling one back in the 68th minute.

Substitutes Momoh Kamara and Ibrahim Turay combined to secure their matchday five victory. Kamara pressed and won the ball before passing it to Turay, who took advantage of the opportunity to punish Bissau in the last minute.

Sierra Leone will travel to Cairo to prepare for their match against the Pharaohs, who will play Ethiopia tomorrow.

Debut for Mohamed Bangura as Kallon Prepares for Leone Stars dugout
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Debut for keeper Sesay and Bangura as Kallon Prepares for Leone Stars dugout

Sierra Leone coach Mohamed Kallon has handed a debut to Mohamed Bangura for matchday five of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, CAF Group A. Bangura, who plays for local club Bhantal FC in the Premier League, has had an impressive season.

The match between Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau is crucial in the race for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Kickoff is at 16:00 local time in Monrovia, Liberia.

Salford City midfielder and recent AC Oulu signing Abu Dumbuya will play a key role in the heart of midfield. In defence, Juma from Lens and Alpha Turay, who is on loan from FK Radnički 1923 in the Serbian SuperLiga to FK Dubočica, will be featured.

East End Lions striker Musa Kamara and Plymouth Argyle attacker Mustapha Bundu will be joined by Alhassan Koroma and debutant Bangura as they try to penetrate Bissau’s defence.

Guinea-Bissau is currently second place with six points behind leaders Egypt in the World Cup qualification. Sierra Leone holds the fourth position in the group after four matches, falling behind Egypt by five points. Their sole win was against Djibouti, the evident underdogs, which underscores the difficulties the team encounters.

Debut for keeper Sesay and Bangura as Kallon Prepares for Leone Stars dugout
Debut for keeper Sesay and Bangura as Kallon Prepares for Leone Stars dugout
John Sama backs new strategy for Leone Stars' success
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

John Sama backs new strategy for Leone Stars’ success

Former Sierra Leone midfield conductor John Sama feels the present coaching staff for the Leone Star will produce positive outcomes. Sama, who represented Sierra Leone in the 1994 and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, noted in a short interview that Mohamed Kallon and his management staff have a clear coaching philosophy.

Kallon will take on his first international coaching challenge against Guinea-Bissau in Monrovia, Liberia, on Thursday. Kallon aims to guide a squad primarily composed of home-based talent as they strive for qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“We are all fans now and in modern-day football, players must believe in the technical strategy, and that is precisely what Kallon and his team can offer,” Sama stated.

“We must understand that they started about three weeks ago. They will need time to develop the technical aspects of their plan and implement the style of football they want to play. All of this will take time, but in the end, I am very confident that they will start producing results.”

When asked about the predominance of home-based players in Kallon’s squad, Sama reaffirmed that this is the way to build a strong national setup.

“In our days, we performed better and achieved results because the majority and core of the squad were home-based. This is a young team that will need time to develop, and our target should be the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.”

Guinea-Bissau enters the match unbeaten, aided by former Arsenal star Luis Boa Morte as a technical head. While Sierra Leone holds a favourable head-to-head record with six wins in twelve encounters, Guinea-Bissau has won two of the last three matchups.

Sierra Leone has only one loss in their last four World Cup qualifying matches (one win, two draws and a defeat against Egypt), while Guinea-Bissau has one win and three draws in their last four Group A fixtures.

Guinea-Bissau is coached by former Fulham and West Ham United forward Luis Boa Morte. They have gained six points from four matches in the qualifying rounds, undefeated, and their strong defensive record may not be enough to harm them at the top of Group A.

This upcoming match features two seemingly evenly matched sides with strong defensive records, suggesting that a low-scoring encounter is likely.

Group A

1. Egypt | 10 pts 2. Guinea-Bissau | 6 pts 3. Burkina Faso | 5 pts 4. Sierra Leone | 5 pts 5. Ethiopia | 3 pts 6. Djibouti | 1 pt

Matchday 5 fixtures

Sierra Leone v Guinea-Bissau  Burkina Faso v Djibouti – Ethiopia v Egypt

Matchday 6 fixtures

Guinea-Bissau v Burkina Faso Egypt -v Sierra Leone Ethiopia v Djibouti