After suffering defeat in their opening Group E match against Zimbabwe’s Warriors, the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone have arrived in Cameroon ahead of a crucial encounter with Equatorial Guinea.

The West African team understands that securing a positive outcome is crucial to keeping their qualification dreams alive, especially after the disappointing start.

A loss would undoubtedly put more pressure on head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa, who was brought in with the mission of leading Sierra Leone to qualify for the East Africa AFCON.

The Leone Stars have missed their last two continental showcases since the Cameroon tournament in 2021. Their opponents are also under pressure, having lost their opening fixture to DR Congo, making the contest a high-stakes affair for both sides.

The Sierra Leone delegation touched down in Cameroon on Friday and immediately shifted focus to preparations for the decisive clash.

Head coach and his players will be aiming to correct the mistakes from the defeat to Zimbabwe and produce a much-improved performance.

With both teams still searching for their first points in the group, Monday’s encounter promises to be fiercely contested. Victory for either side would revive their campaign, while another defeat would leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Their History

Equatorial Guinea triumphed over Sierra Leone in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2021 held in Cameroon. The Nzalang Nacional secured their spot in the next stage with a hard-fought 1-0 victory in a Group E match that took place at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium on January 20, 2022.

The match turned in favour of Equatorial Guinea thanks to Pablo Ganet’s goal in the 38th minute. Ganet made the most of a quickly taken free kick by José Machín, skillfully placing the ball past Sierra Leone’s goalkeeper, Mohamed Nbalie Kamara.

They’ve managed to secure only two victories in their last seven matches, suffering four losses and drawing twice against Sierra Leone.