Monrovia, October 15, 2024 — Sierra Leone’s national football team, the Leone Stars, achieved a stunning 1-0 victory over reigning African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions, Ivory Coast, in a crucial qualifier for the 2025 tournament.
The match took place in Monrovia, where Amadou Bakayoko scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, earning Sierra Leone three vital points.
This win comes just days after the Leone Stars suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in Abidjan. However, the resilient performance in Monrovia has breathed new life into Sierra Leone’s AFCON qualifying campaign.
With the victory, Sierra Leone now sits third in their group with 4 points, behind Zambia with 7 points and Ivory Coast, who lead with 9 points. Chad remains at the bottom with 1 point.
The result has rejuvenated hopes of qualification for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, setting a promising tone for the remaining matches.