Former Sierra Leone captain Steven Caulker has officially retired from international football, stepping away from the national team after a challenging two-year tenure.
The 32-year-old defender, who earned 20 caps for Sierra Leone, made the announcement following his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he represented the Leone Stars.
Caulker, who currently plays for Turkish side Ankara Keçiörengücü in the second tier of Turkish football, resigned as captain of Sierra Leone just days ago. His decision is a response to what he describes as a “very broken system” within the national football framework, citing poor management and administrative dysfunction that hindered both the team’s morale and its performance.
His journey with Sierra Leone began in October 2021, when Caulker switched his international allegiance from England to Sierra Leone, pending FIFA’s approval.
He made his official debut for the Leone Stars on January 11, 2022, after receiving FIFA clearance in December 2021. His first major tournament was the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, where he played in all three group-stage matches. Despite drawing against defending champions Algeria and Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone was eliminated after finishing third in the group, with just two points.
Caulker took on the captaincy after the 2021 AFCON but has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of direction from the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA).
The lack of effective leadership and strategic planning within the SLFA, along with disorganized management of the national team, led to mounting dissatisfaction from the former captain, who believes these issues undermined the team’s potential.
With his resignation, Caulker leaves behind a complex legacy, marked by both personal achievement and the challenges he faced trying to lead Sierra Leone to greater success on the continental stage.
