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, when he played against Algeria’s B team in a friendly in Dubai. He has not been part of the national team setup since then.
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.
