Bio Welcomes Leone Stars After AFCON Qualification

President Julius Maada Bio has welcomed Sierra Leone’s national football team after Leone Stars secured qualification for the African Cup of Nations.

The team was received at the National Stadium in Freetown by the President, government officials and members of the public after defeating Benin’s Squirrels in a qualifier played in Conakry, Guinea.

Before arriving at the stadium, Leone Stars took part in a float parade that travelled from the far east to the west of Freetown.

Officials praise the team

Remarks were delivered during the welcome event by Mohammed Benson Bawoh, team representatives Umaru Zengalay Bangura and John Keister, Sierra Leone Football Association president Thomas Daddy Brima, and President Bio.

Bawoh described the qualification as the result of a journey that began on 13 November 2019. He said Sierra Leone had reached the tournament after a 25-year wait.

Bangura assured the President and the people of Sierra Leone that the team would work to make the country proud at the African Cup of Nations matches scheduled for early 2022 in Cameroon. He also called for continued national support.

Keister said the team was part of Sierra Leone’s development and wanted to give the country a name that would be good for everyone.

Brima said President Bio had made several commitments to football because of his love for sports.

President renews support

President Bio said he had promised the people of Sierra Leone that he would revive football and had made commitments intended to inspire the players.

He also told the team that packages promised before the match were ready and would be given to the players.

“Your packages, that I promised you before the match, are all ready and they’re going to be given to you. I’m also challenging you again for the AFCON in Cameroon,” Bio said.

In his remarks, the President also referred to the period since Sierra Leone previously participated in the African Cup of Nations in South Africa as 24 years. The event’s remarks therefore included differing references to the length of the wait, with Bawoh citing 25 years and Bio citing 24 years.