Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars kick-off their 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifying preparation with a 3-0 defeat to their Togolese counterpart on Thursday evening in Turkey. 

At the Mardan Sports Complex in Aksu Antalya, Turkey, John Keistrer’s new looks side were better in the opening exchanges.  Bolton’s striker Amadou Bakayoko came close twice with his half chances. The two teams started brilliantly with energy in an entertaining opening 15-minutes.

Togo had a chance to go ahead through their striker Kevin Denkey, but Mohamed Kamara in goal for Sierra Leone was attentive. 

Both sides played to a goalless first half as the Leone Stars new-look young and energetic impress in the opening 45-minutes. However, the second half exploded with three goals for the Togolese. 

Paulo Duarte’s side took control of the tie after they scored a direct free-kick through Euloge Placca in the 48-minute. He completed his double from outside the area after his strike fine the back of the net in the 51st minute to further dampen the Leone Stars spirit. 

Sierra Leone pushed forward to get a goal of their own, but debutant Winston Ceesay made a costly error. Guillaume Yenoussi capitalised on Ceesay’s lost ball to score their third. 

A total of seven new players were part of the Leone Stars’ first test match. East End Lions’ in-form striker Alie Conteh replaced Alusine Koroma to make his Sierra Leone debut. 

In his post-match interview, John Keister says his side conceded easy goals from individual mistakes. 

Changes made – Alie Conteh in for Alusine Koroma, Augustus kargbo in for Issa Kallon, Emmanuel Samadia in for Jonathan Morsay in the 70th-minute before Winston Ceesay replaced Ibrahim Sillah. 

Sierra Leone will face Liberia on Sunday and Congo Brazaville on Tuesday in their remaining two friendly International. 

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Sierra Leone head coach John Keister has handed five debutants a chance to prove themselves in Leone Stars’ first International friendly test match at the Mardan Sports Complex in Aksu Antalya, Turkey. – Kickoff 16 hrs Sierra Leone Time.

Boltons’ striker Amadou Bakayoko, Panetolikos winger Jonathan Morsay, Kamil Conteh from Watford, German-based holding midfielder Ibrahim Sillah and left-back Alex back have all set for their debut.

Sierra Leone national team starting their internship against Togo at the Mardan multi-purpose stadium in Aksu, Antalya, Turkey. 

SLFA Media in Antayla, Turkey

Sierra Leone will kick off their African Cup Of Nations 2023 campaign with Togo friendly on Thursday at the Mardan multi-purpose stadium in Aksu, Antalya, Turkey. 

Both nations wrapped up their training sessions on Wednesday ahead of test cracker as they will be hoping to get their Fifa friendly window on track with a win.

Speaking to the SLFA Media, the newly appointed squad skipper Steven Caulker is optimistic that the “team has great potentials and we are positive that the team can do great things.” Adding that the team is full of young and passionate players that are enthusiastic to play football.”

Both the West African neighbours have played seven times in all competitions, with the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the disadvantage with only a win, five defeats and a draw.

Tomorrow’s friendly game will be the first meeting between the two sides since 2007.

SLFA Media- Antalya, Turkey.