By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)
The national senior men’s football team, Leone Stars have returned home with one point after a poor show in the ongoing AFCON 2025 qualification campaign.
The team doted 0-0 draw against Chad and a 3-2 loss to Zambia, raising serious concerns over their visions for qualification.
The goalless draw against Chad, played in Liberia on a neutral ground. It was seen as a missed opportunity with fans expressing displeasure at Leone Stars for failing to secure a win against a lower-ranked opponent.
In their second match, Leone Stars battled against Zambia, with a player coming from behind to level the score at 1-1 and 2-2. However, a late free-kick sealed a 3-2 victory for Zambia, leaving Sierra Leone without a win in two matches.
Despite the woeful defeat, Leone Stars veteran captain Steven Caulker and Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President Thomas Daddy Brima expressed optimism, highlighting the team’s determination as they prepare for a critical double-header against the defending champions Ivory Coast in October.