Amidu Karim, the head coach of Leone Stars, expressed his disappointment regarding the withdrawal of Sudan and Botswana from the scheduled friendlies, citing the missed opportunity these matches would have provided in the selection process for Sierra Leone’s upcoming World Cup Qualifier against Djibouti in June.

The sudden withdrawal has compelled Coach Karim to refocus his attention on closely monitoring the performances of foreign-based players on a weekly basis. His primary objective now is to strategize on gaining more points in the next two encounters of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Furthermore, in light of this setback, Coach Karim is actively anticipating the release of the yet-to-be-revealed CAF Group stage fixtures, where Sierra Leone will be grouped with other countries. He emphasized his commitment to scouting both professional and local league players to assemble a formidable squad.

Despite the challenges posed by the withdrawal of the friendlies, Coach Karim remains optimistic about the future of Leone Stars. He is actively engaged in scouting professional players who align with his tactical approach, aiming to enhance Sierra Leone’s presence in major continental and global tournaments.

The turn of the year has proven to be a busy period for Coach Karim, as he balances his football responsibilities with philanthropic endeavors. He has been observed donating football gear and cash prizes to gala organizers and imparting knowledge at training sessions arranged by the Sierra Leone Football Association for technical officials.

As Leone Stars prepare for their upcoming fixtures, Coach Amidu Karim remains resolute in his commitment to steering the team towards success, undeterred by the challenges encountered along the way.