AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Leone Stars Placed in Group G with Chad, Zambia, and Côte d’Ivoire

July 4, 2024

The Sierra Leone national football team, known as the Leone Stars, has been drawn into Group G for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The draw took place today at SuperSport Studios in South Africa, placing the Leone Stars in a challenging group with Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia, and Chad.

Group G is expected to be highly competitive. The Leone Stars will compete against Côte d’Ivoire, a team with two AFCON titles, and Zambia, which also has a strong footballing history and a continental championship. Chad, an emerging team, completes the group and will be looking to make an impact.

The Leone Stars did not qualify for the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, finishing third in their group. However, they aim to use that experience to improve their performance in this qualifying campaign. Coach Abdul Karim is focused on assembling a squad capable of competing with these established teams and securing a spot in the 2025 tournament finals in Morocco.

The qualifying matches will take place in three international windows: September, October, and November 2024. The top two teams from each group will advance to the AFCON finals, joining host nation Morocco.

The Leone Stars recognize the tough road ahead but are eager to embrace the challenge. With strong support from their fans and a dedicated team, they hope to achieve significant results in Group G.