Reports emerging this afternoon indicate that Steven Caulker, captain of Sierra Leone’s national football team, Leone Stars, has reportedly vanished from the team’s camp.
The situation unfolds as the team prepares to host Zambia in a final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match.
The circumstances surrounding Caulker’s disappearance remain unclear. His absence comes at a critical juncture, as Sierra Leone’s hopes of advancing in the tournament were dashed last night. Zambia secured their qualification with a 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Lusaka, leaving Leone Stars mathematically unable to progress.
Sierra Leone had managed only a 1-1 draw against Chad in Abidjan a day earlier. With just five points in the group standings, Leone Stars trail Zambia, who lead with 10 points, making it impossible for Sierra Leone to catch up even with a win in their final game.
Steven Caulker, a former England international, switched allegiance to Sierra Leone in 2021 through his paternal heritage. He made an immediate impact, captaining the team during the 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon—the country’s first appearance in the competition in over 25 years.
Under his leadership, Sierra Leone earned commendable results, including a memorable draw against defending champions Algeria.
Caulker’s involvement revitalized the team, but his tenure has not been without challenges, including issues related to player commitment and management disputes within Sierra Leone football.
His reported disappearance adds another layer of intrigue to an already turbulent campaign for the Leone Stars.
Sierra Leone last participated in AFCON in 2022 when the tournament, delayed by COVID-19, was hosted by Cameroon. Despite their historic qualification, the team failed to progress beyond the group stage, but their performance sparked renewed hope for consistent appearances on the continental stage.
The team’s failure to qualify this time will reignite debates over the state of football in Sierra Leone and the steps needed to maintain competitiveness at the highest level.
