Freetown, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone’s football giants, East End Lions, have been drawn against Tunisian side Union Sportive Monastirienne in the preliminary round of the 2025–26 CAF Champions League, set to kick off next September.
The winner of this high-stakes tie will advance to the next stage, where they’ll face off against either Ghana’s Bibiani Gold Stars or Algeria’s renowned JS Kabylie.
This draw positions the Lions** for a thrilling continental campaign and highlights Sierra Leonean football on the African stage. Fans are already buzzing with anticipation as the club prepares to roar into action.
Match Timeline
First preliminary round (East End Lions vs US Monastir):
First leg: Scheduled between 19–21 September 2025
Second leg: Set for 26–28 September 2025
If they advance: The winner will face the victor of the clash between Ghana’s Bibiani GoldStars and Algeria’s JS Kabylie in the second preliminary round:
First leg: 17–19 October 2025
Return leg: 24–26 October 2025
Club Profiles & Recent Form
East End Lions, also known as the “Red Roaring Lions,” have a rich legacy—founded in 1928 and based at the National Stadium in Freetown. The team has claimed 12 Sierra Leone League titles and three national cups, with participation in four previous CAF Champions League campaigns (most recently reaching the preliminary round). In the 2024–25 domestic season, they’ve performed strongly—leading the title race with 60 points from 28 matches, ahead of rivals Bhantal and FC Kallon.
Union Sportive Monastirienne (US Monastir), founded in 1923 and based in Monastir, Tunisia, is a multi-sport club with basketball and football divisions. While their footballing achievements were not highlighted, their regional prestige and multi-sport structure hint at strong organization and competitive depth.
