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by Alie Bittar @bittar32

New Sierra Leone Coach Names 25-Man Squad for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

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.

New Sierra Leone Coach Names 25-Man Squad for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers
New Sierra Leone Coach Names 25-Man Squad for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone Bow Out of WAFU U17 After Mauritania Stalemate

Sierra Leone’s U17 boys national team (Sierra Stars) have been eliminated from the race for a spot in the 2027 Africa U17 Cup of Nations after a goalless draw with Mauritania in their final WAFU Zone A Championship group match on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

The draw offered little consolation after the Sierra Stars suffered heavy defeats to Gambia and Senegal, losing 4-1 and 5-0 respectively, to end their campaign without a win.

Assistant captain Abu Bakarr Senesie Maya Junior was the standout performer against Mauritania, earning the Player of the Match award for an impressive midfield display marked by defensive discipline and effective distribution.

Coached by Patrick Bangura, Sierra Stars struggled to compete with their West African opponents, with defensive lapses and a lack of cutting edge in attack undermining their hopes of advancing to the next stage of the continental qualification pathway.

The early elimination represents another setback for Sierra Leone’s youth football program and is likely to intensify calls for greater investment in grassroots scouting, competitive youth leagues, and long-term player development.

The result leaves the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) facing renewed pressure to strengthen the country’s youth football structures ahead of future international competitions.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Star Sport Academy Enjoy Dream Debut, Secure Next-Round Spot

Star Sport Academy have continued its remarkable rise by reaching the second qualifying round of the CAF Champions League in its maiden appearance in the competition.

Founded less than four years ago and having spent only two seasons in the Sierra Leone Premier League, the Freetown-based club secured qualification after a 1-1 away draw against Medina United in Banjul, The Gambia, on Sunday.

The Sierra Leonean vice-champions advanced on the away goals rule after the first leg ended in a goalless draw at the Southern Arena in Bo last weekend.

Santigie Fornah gave Star Sport Academy a vital breakthrough eight minutes into the second half, heading home to put his side in control of the tie. Although Medina United equalised deep into stoppage time through Ebou Sanyang, the goal came too late to deny the visitors a historic qualification.

The achievement makes Star Sport Academy only the third Sierra Leonean club in the CAF Champions League era to progress beyond the preliminary qualifying round, following FC Kallon in 2007 and Bo Rangers in the 2023/24 campaign.

Before the competition was rebranded from the African Cup of Champions Clubs to the CAF Champions League, several Sierra Leonean clubs also enjoyed success on the continental stage. Real Republicans, Sierra Fisheries (now FC Kallon), and Mighty Blackpool all eliminated opponents, with Mighty Blackpool remaining the country’s only club to have reached the quarter-finals of Africa’s premier club competition.

Star Sport Academy’s reward is a second qualifying round showdown against Moroccan giants RS Berkane next month. The Sierra Leonean side will host the first leg as they seek to continue their fairytale run in African football.

Star Sport Academy Enjoy Dream Debut, Secure Next-Round Spot
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s representatives are in interclub action today

Sierra Leone’s two teams are back in action today for the 2026/27 CAF interclub competitions. Star Sport Academy and East End Lions both have important first-round return matches in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup in The Gambia and Liberia, respectively.

Star Sport Academy, playing in their first-ever CAF Champions League, travel to Banjul to face Medina United Academy at the Independence Stadium at 16:30 GMT. Their first match ended in a 0-0 draw, keeping the tie open for today’s game.

This match is significant because it marks the return of interclub and senior international football to The Gambia after more than six years. If today’s game ends in another 0-0 draw, the teams will go to penalties to decide who advances.

Additionally, any scoring draw would impact the aggregate score and depend on CAF’s rules, while a loss would end Star Sport Academy’s first continental campaign.

On the other hand, East End Lions, the Orange FA Cup champions, go into their second-leg match against Ivorian team Afad Plateau with a slight advantage.

They will meet at the SKD Stadium in Monrovia at 16:00 GMT after drawing 1-1 in the first match in Abidjan. This result was East End Lions’ best away performance in CAF interclub competition.

Now tied on aggregate, a goalless draw would allow East End Lions to advance to the next round under the away-goals rule, as they scored once in Abidjan.

This is a chance for Sierra Leone’s clubs to shine on the continental stage, gain experience, and possibly advance in Africa’s main interclub competitions.

Star Sport Academy aims to make history in their first Champions League campaign, while East End Lions look to build on their strong away result. By the end of the day, we will know if Sierra Leone has two clubs, one club, or no clubs advancing to the next round.

East End Lions Hold AFAD to 1–1 Draw in CAF Confederation Cup
by Football Sierra Leone

East End Lions Hold AFAD to 1–1 Draw in CAF Confederation Cup

East End Lions secured a valuable 1–1 draw against AFAD Djékanou in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Round in Abidjan.

One of Sierra Leone’s most decorated sides found themselves trailing in the opening half after AFAD took the lead into the break. However, East End Lions responded strongly after halftime, showing determination and composure to fight their way back into the contest.  

Saymah Kamara proved decisive, scoring the equaliser to give The Killers renewed hope ahead of the return leg.  

With the tie delicately poised, East End Lions will now turn their attention to the second leg at the SKD Complex in Liberia, where they will aim to secure victory and advance to the next round.