Sierra Leone’s national football team Leone Stars is gearing up for a crucial doubleheader against the Elephants of Ivory Coast as the race to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) intensifies.
The first clash is scheduled for October 11 at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, followed by a decisive rematch on October 15 at the Samuel K. Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia.
These encounters come with high stakes for both teams. Their most recent meeting in January 2024 ended in a dominant 5-1 victory for the Ivorians during a friendly, but past qualifying matches have seen more competitive outcomes, including goalless draws. The Leone Stars will need to tap into that resilience as they face one of Africa’s football giants.
The Sierra Leone squad will be without key forwards Daniel Kanu (Charlton Athletic FC) and Josh Koroma (Huddersfield Town), both sidelined due to injuries. However, head coach Amidu Karim remains confident, placing his trust in substitutes Alphajor Kamara and Alie Nzonzi Conteh to step up in their absence.
Ivory Coast enters the matches full of confidence, sitting atop Group G with six points after wins against Zambia and Chad. Their attacking threat is bolstered by the return of striker Sébastien Haller, recently loaned to La Liga side Leganés, under the leadership of coach Emerse Faé.
Sierra Leone, in contrast, has struggled in the qualifiers, managing just one point from their early matches. As they head into these pivotal fixtures, the Leone Stars know a strong defensive strategy will be essential, coupled with quick counter-attacks to exploit any weaknesses in the Ivorian defense.
Amidu Karim, a former striker for the national team, has been focused on fostering team unity and determination.
“The players understand the importance of these matches, and their dedication has been inspiring,” he said. Karim remains optimistic about the team’s chances, highlighting their rigorous training sessions. “We’ve prepared well, and I believe we can secure maximum points against the champions,” he added.
Karim also called on the nation’s fans to rally behind the team.
“We are one nation, one team. Your support can drive these players to achieve the extraordinary,” he emphasized, underscoring the impact of national pride and fan backing in lifting the squad.
As Sierra Leone faces off against the reigning African champions, these matches are more than just a step toward qualification; they represent a chance for the underdogs to make a statement on the continental stage. Football fans across the region will be eagerly watching as the Leone Stars look to defy the odds in this critical set of qualifiers.
