By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers was dashed as the national team was held to a 1-1 draw with Liberia at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.

The result saw Liberia progressing with a 3-2 aggregate score, following their 2-1 victory in the first leg.

The fixture opened with a strong promise for Sierra Leone as forward Momoh Lappo Dumbuya struck the net in the 22nd minute, handing his team an early lead and narrowing the aggregate deficit.

Nevertheless, Liberia’s Lawrence Kumeh smoothed the score just seven minutes into the second half, delivering the equalizer in the 52nd minute that secured Liberia’s path forward.

And Sierra Leone was  unable to reclaim the lead, thus leaving the aggregate score in Liberia’s favor.

Both qualifying matches were held in Monrovia, Liberia, where the Leone Stars capitalized on their home advantage, freezing their place in the next round of the tournament and sending Sierra Leone’s campaign to an early termination.