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by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone Set to Begin AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Alongside 47 Other Nations

Sierra Leone and forty-seven other African nations are competing for a spot in the finals of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2027.

The Group Stages of the Qualifiers begin on Thursday, September 24, and will run until Tuesday, October 6. During this time, 24 matches will be played across 12 groups.

Match Day 1 features key matches, including Côte d’Ivoire versus Ghana in Bouaké and Morocco against Gabon in Rabat. Sierra Leone hosts Zimbabwe’s Warriors in El Jadida, Morocco, at 19:00 GMT tonight for a place in the tournament from June 19 to July 17, 2027, and will return to East Africa for the first time since 1976.

Sierra Leone, dominated by foreign-based players, will provide a tough test for their visitors, making concentration and discipline crucial throughout the game.

African giant clash: Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana face off at 19:00 GMT. This match marks a new chapter for Côte d’Ivoire under coach Hervé Renard, who has included several new players. Other matches include DR Congo versus Equatorial Guinea and Uganda taking on Tunisia.

On Friday, September 25, 14 matches are scheduled. Morocco will play Gabon, and Egypt will host Angola. Nigeria begins their campaign against Madagascar without star striker Victor Osimhen, who is injured.

On Saturday, September 26, South Africa will host Guinea, and co-host Kenya will face Eritrea. Kenya is already qualified as a co-host, and only the highest-ranked team outside of the host nations will advance.

The 48 teams were divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the finals, except in Groups D, H, and L, where co-hosts automatically qualify. The campaign continues with matches in November and March 2027.

PAMOJA, meaning “Together” in Swahili, reflects CAF’s vision of unity and collaboration as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda prepare to co-host AFCON.

TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 Qualifiers – Matchday 1 Fixtures

Thursday, 24 September 2026 – All times GMT

  • Group G: Namibia vs Congo – 13h00
  • Group E: DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea – 16h00
  • Group F: Mauritania vs Central African Republic – 16h00
  • Group H: Libya vs Botswana – 16h00
  • Group C: Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana – 19h00
  • Group E: Sierra Leone vs Zimbabwe – 19h00
  • Group G: Cameroon vs Comoros – 19h00
  • Group H: Tunisia vs Uganda – 19h00

Friday, 25 September 2026 – All times GMT

  • Group L: Tanzania vs Guinea-Bissau – 13h00
  • Group A: Niger vs Lesotho – 15h00
  • Group B: Malawi vs South Sudan – 16h00
  • Group C: The Gambia vs Somalia – 16h00
  • Group I: Togo vs Burundi – 16h00
  • Group J: Sudan vs Ethiopia – 16h00
  • Group K: Rwanda vs Liberia – 16h00
  • Group L: Nigeria vs Madagascar – 16h00
  • Group A: Morocco vs Gabon – 19h00
  • Group B: Egypt vs Angola – 19h00
  • Group F: Burkina Faso vs Benin – 19h00
  • Group I: Algeria vs Zambia – 19h00
  • Group J: Senegal vs Mozambique – 19h00
  • Group K: Mali vs Cape Verde – 19h00

Saturday, 26 September 2026 – All times GMT

  • Group D: Kenya vs Eritrea – 13h00
  • Group D: South Africa vs Guinea – 16h00
Leone Stars Step Up AFCON 2027 Qualifying Preparations in Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Leone Stars Step Up AFCON 2027 Qualifying Preparations in Morocco

Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars have intensified their training in Morocco as they prepare for their double-header in the qualifying round for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

They will play Zimbabwe on September 24 and Equatorial Guinea on September 28. These matches are crucial for Sierra Leone’s chances to qualify for the tournament.

During the training session, the players and coaches worked on skills, strategies, and teamwork. New face like Raees Bangura Williams, Salford City attacking midfielder Kallum Cesay, and returning Middlesbrough left-back Alex Bangura were all present as the team concentrated on their fitness while sticking to the game plan.

With the qualifiers getting closer, the Leone Stars aim to start strong and improve their chances of making it to next year’s tournament, which will take place in East Africa.

The team remains dedicated as they prepare for these important matches that could greatly affect their qualification hopes.

Salford City Kallum Cesay were part of first training session in Morocco
Salford City Kallum Cesay were part of first training session in Morocco
Northampton Town's Tyrese Fornah in training action!
Northampton Town's Tyrese Fornah in training action!
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone Turn to Alex Bangura After Samadia Pulls Out

The Sierra Leone Football Association has confirmed the recall of defender Alex Bangura after US-based left-back Emmanuel Samadia withdrew ahead of the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Bangura last featured for Sierra Leone in 2022, in the Leone Stars’ 2-0 defeat to DR Congo in an international friendly played in Morocco. He has not been part of the national team setup since then.

He was born in Sierra Leone and also has Dutch citizenship. He played his first game for the Sierra Leone national team in a friendly match against Togo, which ended in a 3–0 loss on March 24, 2022.

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.

Sierra Leone will face Zimbabwe on September 24, 2026, in El Jadida, Morocco, with kickoff set for 8 PM. Following that, Equatorial Guinea will take on Sierra Leone on September 28 at Stade Omnisports in Cameroon, starting at 5 PM.

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 UK-based players featuring prominently in the 25-man selection.

The new coach will hope the fresh-look squad can make a strong start to the qualifiers and build momentum in Sierra Leone’s bid to reach the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Ra’ees Bangura-Williams Earns First Senior Sierra Leone Call-Up

Midfielder Ra’ees Bangura-Williams, who joined Cambridge United in August on a one-year loan from Millwall, has received his first call-up to the Sierra Leone national team for the Cup of Nations matches this month.

Bangura-Williams spent most of his early years in grassroots football. He played two years at Tooting & Mitcham United, where he made his senior debut at 17.

His strong performances led to a move to Millwall. There, he quickly made his senior debut and scored in the FA Cup. He established himself in the first team and has since made 31 appearances.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Former Scotland U21 Star Azeem Abdulai Receives First Sierra Leone Call-Up

Azeem Abdulai, a former Scotland Under-21 midfielder, is in the Sierra Leone squad for matches against Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea this month.

Abdulai, who was born in Glasgow, developed his skills in the youth programs of Celtic and Leicester City. He started his professional career with Swansea City in the English Championship.

He has earned six caps with the Scotland Under-21 team and has played the last two seasons with Leyton Orient. During that time, he made 65 appearances in League One.

The midfielder has just completed a permanent transfer from Leyton Orient to the Scottish club, signing a three-year deal.