Freetown, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone’s senior national football team, the Leone Stars, has been placed in a highly competitive group alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Zimbabwe in the qualifiers for the 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The official draw, held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo, determined the qualifying groups for 48 nations. Sierra Leone, seeded in Pot 3 according to the latest FIFA rankings, will battle it out in one of 12 groups of four teams.
Under the qualification format, the top two teams from each group are expected to advance to the finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Officials and staff at the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Secretariat closely followed the draw, led by Head of Competitions Sorie Ibrahim Sesay.
The atmosphere was one of excitement mixed with determination as the Leone Stars learned their opponents for the campaign, which is scheduled to begin in September 2026 during the first FIFA international match window. Matches will continue through late 2026 and into March 2027.
Sierra Leone has qualified for the AFCON finals only three times in the nation’s history, in 1994, 1996, and 2021, reaching the group stage on each occasion without progressing further. The team missed the most recent editions, including 2025, and currently continues its search for a permanent head coach while focusing on rebuilding momentum.
The opponents present varying degrees of challenge. DR Congo, two-time AFCON champions (1968 and 1974), enter as the strongest side in the group with consistent qualification record in recent years. Equatorial Guinea has grown into a solid competitive force on the continent, while Zimbabwe remains a dangerous and unpredictable opponent.
SLFA officials and fans alike view the group as tough but not impossible. Success would require strong home performances and disciplined results on the road. Qualification would mark a significant milestone for Sierra Leonean football and boost the sport’s profile in the country.
The 2027 AFCON qualifiers promise intense competition across Africa as nations fight for a place in the expanded finals in East Africa. The Leone Stars will now shift focus to squad preparation, including potential friendly matches, as they seek to turn this challenging draw into a successful qualification campaign.
