Freetown, April 24, 2025 — Sierra Leone’s U-20 national football team, the Shooting Stars, officially departed from Freetown this morning, en route to Egypt for their inaugural appearance at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The delegation, led by Administrative Head Benjamin Gordon and National Sports Authority Director of Operations Alie Sesay, is expected to arrive in Cairo early Friday morning. Their journey marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s football history, as the nation competes in the U-20 AFCON for the first time.
The Shooting Stars secured their spot in the tournament after a commendable performance at the WAFU Zone A Championship, where they finished as runners-up. Their campaign included victories over Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and The Gambia, before falling to Senegal in the final.
Head Coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara has assembled a 26-man squad blending local talents with players based abroad. Notable inclusions are captain and forward Momoh Ibrahim Kamara, who was named Best Player at the WAFU tournament, Arsenal’s academy player Osman Kamara, and goalkeeper Mamadou Jalloh from Denmark’s Brøndby IF youth system.
Sierra Leone is placed in Group A alongside hosts Egypt, Zambia, South Africa, and Tanzania. The team’s opening match is scheduled for Sunday, April 27, against Zambia—a date that coincides with Sierra Leone’s 64th Independence Day.
Prior to departure, the team received a special blessing from Bishop Frederick Abu S. Koroma during a ceremony attended by players, technical staff, and officials. This spiritual send-off underscores the nation’s support and hopes for the young squad as they embark on their continental quest.
The tournament runs from April 27 to May 18, with matches hosted across Cairo, Ismailia, and Suez. The top four teams will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
As the Shooting Stars prepare to make their mark on the African stage, the nation rallies behind them, united in pride and anticipation for what lies ahead.
