The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has announced a 26-man squad for the WAFU A U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Mali, with the Shooting Stars aiming to secure a place in the continental competition.
The squad comprises three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and seven forwards, according to the SLFA’s announcement on its official social media channels.
Amara Kamara, Steven Nyakeh Momoh and Abubakar Alhaji Kamara will compete for places in goal, while the defensive options include Dauda Kamara, Mohamed Sahid, Abubakarr Nyakeh Massaquoi, Osman Tolo Sesay, Ivan Lawrence Jalloh, Mohamed Kallon, Santigie Abdulai Sesay and Ibrahim Sorie Z.G. Dumbuya.
The midfield contingent features Alhaji Lerma Jalloh, Sampha Kamara, Mohamed Saidu Bah, Alhaji Abubakarr Jalloh, Mohamed Chernor Jalloh, Ben Benoit Henriette Loua, Nelson Fatorma Mbayoh and Malik Ahmed Berray.
In attack, the selected players are Abu Bakarr Sidibay, Randy Mike George, Papay Gumba Mansaray, Alpha Bedor Conteh, James Jusu Kanja and Abdulai Bangura.
The team, known as the Shooting Stars, will represent Sierra Leone in the regional competition in Mali, which provides a qualifying pathway to the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The SLFA publicized the squad under the slogan “Raise Your Game.” team’s travel arrangements or match schedule.
Sierra Leone’s Shooting Stars made history in September 2024 by qualifying for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after reaching the final of the WAFU Zone A tournament in Liberia. The team drew 0-0 with Guinea, defeated Liberia 3-1 and Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in the group stage, before beating The Gambia 3-0 in the semifinals.
Although Senegal defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 in the final, both teams secured qualification for the 2025 U-20 AFCON. Captain Momoh Kamara scored three goals during the qualifying campaign and was named the tournament’s best player and joint top scorer.
The qualification marked a major milestone for Sierra Leonean youth football, earning the Shooting Stars their first appearance at the continental U-20 finals in 2025.
The qualifiers offer Sierra Leone’s young players an opportunity to compete at the regional level and pursue qualification for Africa’s premier under-20 football tournament.
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