Leone Stars Return to Freetown After Tough Start in AFCON 2025 Qualifiers

September 13, 2024

Sierra Leone’s national football team, the Leone Stars, has returned to Freetown following a difficult opening to their AFCON 2025 qualification campaign. After a goalless draw against Chad and a narrow 3-2 defeat to Zambia, concerns are rising about their chances of qualifying.

The draw with Chad, played in Liberia due to stadium limitations in Sierra Leone, was seen as a missed opportunity by fans. In the match against Zambia, the Leone Stars showed resilience, twice equalizing before a late free-kick secured Zambia's win.

Despite the results, fans and analysts have praised the team’s determination. Captain Steven Caulker and SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima remain hopeful, highlighting the team's spirit ahead of crucial matches against reigning champions, Ivory Coast. Coach Amidu Karim emphasized that the path to AFCON 2025 is still open, and the team is united in their pursuit of qualification.