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Sierra Leone national football team

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Sierra Leone
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Leone Stars
AssociationSLFA
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachAmidu Karim
CaptainOsman Kakay
Most capsUmaru Bangura (55)
Top scorerMohamed Kallon (8)
Home stadiumFreetown National Stadium
FIFA codeSLE
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 129 Decrease 8 (28 November 2024)[1]
Highest50 (August 2014)
Lowest172 (September 2007)
First international
Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 10 August 1949)[2]
Biggest win
 Sierra Leone 5–1 Niger 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 7 March 1976)
 Sierra Leone 5–1 Niger 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 3 June 1995)
 Sierra Leone 4–0 São Tomé and Príncipe 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 22 April 2000)
Biggest defeat
 Mali 6–0 Sierra Leone 
(Bamako, Mali; 17 June 2007)
 Syria 6–0 Sierra Leone 
(Syria; 05 June 2009)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances3 (first in 1994)
Best resultGroup stage (1994, 1996, 2021)

The Sierra Leone national football team represents Sierra Leone in association football and is governed by the Sierra Leone Football Association. It has qualified for Africa Cup of Nations three times.

History

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Sierra Leone's first match was at home on 10 August 1949 against another British colony, Nigeria, and was lost 2–0. In 1954 it played another British colony and British administered U.N trust territory, Gold Coast and Trans-Volta Togoland, and lost 2–0 away. On 22 April 1961, it hosted Nigeria and lost 4–2. On 12 November 1966, it hosted Liberia in its first match against a non-British colony and earned its first draw, 1–1. A week later, it lost 2–0 in Liberia. On 13 January 1971, it played its first match against a non-African team, West Germany's B-team. The match in Sierra Leone was won 1–0 by the Germans. Sierra Leone's first match outside Africa was its first against an Asian nation, China. It lost 4–1 in China on 5 April 1974.[4]

In August 2014, Sierra Leone FA cancelled all association football matches in an effort to stop the spread of the 2014 Ebola virus epidemic in Sierra Leone, a week after Liberian FA did the same.[5] Sierra Leonean players playing outside Sierra Leone, such as Michael Lahoud playing in the United States, were discriminated against, with opposition players refusing to swap shirts, shake hands and allow them to certain places of the stadium because they fear that they could be carrying the disease.[6] The Sierra Leonean national team wasn't allowed to play home games and all players had to be foreign-based.[7]

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

[edit]
6 January Friendly Ivory Coast  5–1  Sierra Leone San Pedro, Ivory Coast
17:00 UTC±0}
Report
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
Referee: Dedjinnanchi Ahomlanto (Benin)
11 January Friendly Sierra Leone  1–3  Morocco San Pedro, Ivory Coast
15:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
5 June 2026 World Cup qualification Sierra Leone  2–1  Djibouti El Jadida, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)
10 June 2026 World Cup qualification Burkina Faso  2–2  Sierra Leone Bamako, Mali
16:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars
Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
6 September 2025 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone  0–0  Chad Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0 Report Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Referee: George Gatogato (Burundi)
10 September 2025 AFCON qualification Zambia  3–2  Sierra Leone Ndola, Zambia
15:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)
11 October 2025 AFCON qualification Ivory Coast  4–1  Sierra Leone San Pedro, Ivory Coast
19:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
Attendance: 16,553
Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
15 October 2025 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone  1–0  Ivory Coast Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0 Report Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Attendance: 7,408
Referee: Jeannot Franck Bito (Cameroon)
1 November 2024 CHAN qualification Liberia  1–1
(3-2 agg.)
 Sierra Leone Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0 Report Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Note: Sierra Leone lost 3-2 on aggregate.
10 November 2025 AFCON qualification Chad  1–1  Sierra Leone Abidjan, Ivory Coast
18:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Referee: Jean Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
18 November 2025 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone  0–2  Zambia Paynesville, Liberia
15:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Referee: Yannick Malala (Congo DR)

Coaching history

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Players

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Current squad

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The following players were called up for the 2025 AFCON qualification matches against Ivory Coast on 11 and 15 October 2024.[8]

Caps and goals are correct as of 10 September 2024, after the match against  Zambia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Mohamed Kamara (1999-04-29) 29 April 1999 (age 25) 24 0 Guinea Horoya
23 1GK Francis Koroma (2000-05-15) 15 May 2000 (age 24) 2 0 Sierra Leone East End Lions
16 1GK Isaac Caulker (1992-01-20) 20 January 1992 (age 32) 0 0 Sierra Leone Kallon

19 2DF Emmanuel Samadia (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 23) 21 0 United States Hartford Athletic
5 2DF Steven Caulker (1991-12-29) 29 December 1991 (age 32) 15 0 Spain Málaga City
15 2DF Abdoulie Jarjue Kabia (2001-01-27) 27 January 2001 (age 23) 5 0 Israel Hapoel Kfar Saba
3 2DF Mohamed Bangura 0 0 Sierra Leone Wilberforce Strikers
12 2DF Nathaniel Jalloh (2005-09-07) 7 September 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Sierra Leone Kallon

10 3MF Mustapha Bundu (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 27) 18 3 England Plymouth Argyle
6 3MF Alhassan Koroma (1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 27) 18 1 Qatar Al Shahaniya
4 3MF Abu Dumbuya (1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 25) 16 0 Northern Cyprus Gençlik Gücü
11 3MF Sullay Kaikai (1995-08-26) 26 August 1995 (age 29) 16 1 England Cambridge United
8 3MF Alusine Koroma (1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 27) 14 0 Spain Orihuela
3MF Jonathan Morsay (1997-10-05) 5 October 1997 (age 27) 11 1 Cyprus AEL Limassol
18 3MF Ibrahim Sillah (1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 (age 29) 8 0 Netherlands ACV
21 3MF Rodney Michael (1999-08-10) 10 August 1999 (age 25) 6 1 Cyprus POX
17 3MF Issa Kallon (1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 (age 28) 5 0 China Nantong Zhiyun
27 3MF Hindolo Mustapha (2006-07-29) 29 July 2006 (age 18) 2 1 England Crystal Palace
14 3MF Tyrese Fornah (1999-09-11) 11 September 1999 (age 25) 1 0 England Salford City
22 3MF Momoh Kamara (2005-05-06) 6 May 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Portugal Leixões

3MF Augustus Kargbo (1999-08-24) 24 August 1999 (age 25) 19 5 Italy Cesena
9 4FW Amadou Bakayoko (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 28) 12 3 Japan Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
4FW Daniel Kanu (2004-11-14) 14 November 2004 (age 20) 5 0 England Charlton Athletic
4FW Josh Koroma (1998-11-09) 9 November 1998 (age 26) 2 0 England Huddersfield Town
2 4FW Nabieu Navas Daffae 0 0 Sierra Leone Luawa

Recent call-ups

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The following players had been called up in 12 months preceding the above draft.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Donald Kamara (2002-07-16) 16 July 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Sierra Leone East End Lions v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
GK Abu Bakar Kamara (2004-01-28) 28 January 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Sierra Leone Kallon v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
GK Ibrahim Sesay (2004-10-18) 18 October 2004 (age 20) 13 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023

DF Yeami Dunia (1996-12-16) 16 December 1996 (age 27) 31 0 Sierra Leone Old Edwardians v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
DF Osman Kakay (1997-08-25) 25 August 1997 (age 27) 26 0 England Queens Park Rangers v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
DF Saidu Mansaray (2001-02-21) 21 February 2001 (age 23) 8 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
DF Mohamed Kabia (2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Eswatini Mbabane Swallows v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF Yusuf Sesay (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 23) 2 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF Curtis Davies (1985-03-15) 15 March 1985 (age 39) 3 1 England Cheltenham Town v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF Juma Bah (2006-04-11) 11 April 2006 (age 18) 0 0 Sierra Leone Freetownian SLIFA v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF Abu Bakarr Samura (1995-08-10) 10 August 1995 (age 29) 16 1 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
DF Santigie Koroma (2003-11-27) 27 November 2003 (age 21) 2 0 Sierra Leone LISCR v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
DF Abu Bakarr Barrie (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Sierra Leone Diamond Stars v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
DF Edward Bello Yillah (1996-10-04) 4 October 1996 (age 28) 0 0 Sierra Leone Mighty Blackpool v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024

MF Saidu Fofanah (1997-09-14) 14 September 1997 (age 27) 13 1 Sierra Leone Kallon v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
MF Kamil Conteh (2002-12-26) 26 December 2002 (age 21) 11 0 England Bristol Rovers v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
MF Alpha Conteh (2000-05-01) 1 May 2000 (age 24) 4 0 Azerbaijan Neftçi v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
MF Kwame Quee (1996-09-07) 7 September 1996 (age 28) 35 3 Iceland Grindavík v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Saidu Bah Kamara (2002-03-03) 3 March 2002 (age 22) 8 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Ibrahim Turay (1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 25) 7 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Alpha Turay (2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 19) 4 0 Sierra Leone Kallon v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Samuel Bekoe (1997-08-24) 24 August 1997 (age 27) 3 0 Sierra Leone East End Lions v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Mohamed Fofanah (1998-09-08) 8 September 1998 (age 26) 1 0 Sierra Leone Kallon v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Adebayor Black 0 0 Sierra Leone Bhantal v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Joseph Cleveland (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Sierra Leone Ports Authority v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF Mohamed Buya Turay (1995-01-10) 10 January 1995 (age 29) 17 3 United States Birmingham Legion v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023

FW Musa Noah Kamara (1999-08-06) 6 August 1999 (age 25) 14 3 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
FW Sallieu Bah (2006-09-10) 10 September 2006 (age 18) 5 0 Sierra Leone Wilberforce Strikers v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
FW Alie Conteh (2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 22) 8 2 Sierra Leone Kallon v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
FW Abu Komeh (2001-05-21) 21 May 2001 (age 23) 4 2 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  Morocco, 11 January 2024
FW Alhaji Kamara (1994-04-16) 16 April 1994 (age 30) 17 5 Denmark Randers v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023

Notes

INJ Withdrew due to injury.
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Had announced retirement from international association football.
SUS Is serving a suspension.
PRI Absent due to private circumstances.
WD Withdrawn.

Records

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As of 19 November 2024[9]
Players in bold are still active with Sierra Leone.

Most appearances

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Umaru Bangura is Sierra Leone's most capped player with 55 appearances.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Umaru Bangura 55 4 2006–2022
2 Ibrahim Bah 45 3 1986–1998
3 Mohamed Kallon 40 8 1995–2012
4 Kei Kamara 39 7 2008–2022
5 Sheriff Suma 37 3 2006–2015
6 Kwame Quee 35 3 2012–present
7 Medo Kamara 33 1 2008–2021
8 Julius Wobay 32 4 2001–2018
Yeami Dunia 32 0 2012–present
10 Ibrahim Kargbo 30 1 2000–2013

Top goalscorers

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Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Mohamed Kallon 8 40 0.2 1995–2012
2 Kei Kamara 7 39 0.18 2008–2022
3 Lamine Conteh 6 20 0.3 1993–2006
4 Alhaji Kamara 5 19 0.26 2012–present
Augustus Kargbo 5 21 0.24 2021–present
6 Teteh Bangura 4 12 0.33 2011–2014
Alhassan Kamara 4 16 0.25 2012–2018
Abu Kanu 4 16 0.25 1994–2003
Mustapha Bangura 4 17 0.24 2005–2016
Julius Wobay 4 32 0.13 2001–2018
Umaru Bangura 4 55 0.07 2006–2022

Competitive record

[edit]

FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Chile 1962 and England 1966 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Mexico 1970 Did not enter Did not enter
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 3
Argentina 1978 4 1 1 2 8 9
Spain 1982 2 0 1 1 3 5
Mexico 1986 2 0 0 2 0 5
Italy 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
United States 1994 Withdrew Withdrew
France 1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 2
South Korea Japan 2002 10 2 1 7 6 17
Germany 2006 2 0 1 1 1 2
South Africa 2010 8 3 2 3 5 8
Brazil 2014 6 2 2 2 10 10
Russia 2018 2 1 0 1 2 2
Qatar 2022 2 1 0 1 2 3
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 4 1 2 1 4 5
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/16 46 11 10 25 41 71

Africa Cup of Nations

[edit]
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Ethiopia 1962 Not affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965
Ethiopia 1968 Did not enter
Sudan 1970 Withdrew
Cameroon 1972 Did not enter
Egypt 1974 Did not qualify
Ethiopia 1976 Did not enter
Ghana 1978 Did not qualify
Nigeria 1980 Did not enter
Libya 1982 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 1984
Egypt 1986 Withdrew
Morocco 1988 Did not qualify
Algeria 1990 Withdrew
Senegal 1992 Did not qualify
Tunisia 1994 Round 1 10th 2 0 1 1 0 4 Squad
South Africa 1996 Round 1 13th 3 1 0 2 2 7 Squad
Burkina Faso 1998 Withdrew
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Disqualified due to civil war
Mali 2002 Did not qualify
Tunisia 2004
Egypt 2006
Ghana 2008
Angola 2010
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012
South Africa 2013
Equatorial Guinea 2015
Gabon 2017
Egypt 2019 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
Cameroon 2021 Group stage 18th 3 0 2 1 2 3 Squad
Ivory Coast 2023 Did not qualify
Morocco 2025
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 To be determined
2029
Total 0 titles 3/34 8 1 3 4 4 14

Coaching staff

[edit]
Head coach Sierra Leone Amidu Karim
Assistant coach Sierra Leone Alusine Sesay
Assistant coach Sierra Leone Amara Rahman Bangura
Sport therapist Sierra Leone Abdulay Sesay
Head of medical Sierra Leone Osman Fofanah
Team manager Sierra Leone Abdulai Kargbo

Honours

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Regional

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References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  2. ^ Courtney, Barrie (15 August 2006). "Sierra Leone – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Sierra Leone – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 19 November 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Sierra Leone suspends football matches as Ebola virus spreads". The Independent. 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Ebola affecting Sierra Leone team – Michael Lahoud". BBC Sport. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  7. ^ "The land where football is religion". FIFATV. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "Final Squad". Facebook. Sierra Leone Football Association.
  9. ^ "Sierra Leone". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

Sources

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