Leone Stars Captain Steven Caulker Leaves Camp Before Final AFCON Qualifier

November 17, 2024

Reports suggest that Steven Caulker, captain of Sierra Leone’s national football team, unexpectedly left the team's camp in Monrovia just hours before their final AFCON qualifying match against Zambia.

Caulker has been an integral part of the squad, participating in all five qualifiers under coach Amidu Karim. However, his sudden departure has raised questions, with some speculating that he chose to sit out since Leone Stars are already eliminated from the 2025 AFCON competition.

The team’s elimination was confirmed following Zambia’s surprise 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast, leaving Sierra Leone unable to qualify, even with a win in their final match. Leone Stars have five points, while Zambia leads the group with ten.

Sierra Leone’s last AFCON appearance was in 2022, following a 25-year absence from the competition until the 2021 edition. The team's performance in the qualifiers underscores the challenges they face in reclaiming their position in African football.