Sierra Leone’s head coach John Keister is not shying away from the fact that his side must win against Nigeria to rekindle hopes of reaching Ivory Coast 2023.

Having secured five points from four matches in the ongoing qualifiers, the technician backed his side to turn up against the three-time African Champions when the two sides lock horns at the SKD in Liberia on Sunday.

Speaking to Football Sierra Leone, the Manchester-born acknowledged that his young side must be positive in their approach over 90 minutes from kickoff.

“We know this is a match that we need to win, and therefore we have to be positive in our approach against a difficult Nigerian side – and we will definitely be.”

“We are a young group, but there is just this feeling that we can come here and get a result against Nigeria. It’s going to be a fight – we are ready to deal with whatever is thrown at us. Football is about the day who wants it the most.”

Sierra Leone to host the Group A leaders at the SKD Stadium in Liberia on June 18th. Nigeria won the first meeting between the two nations 2-1 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on 09 June 2022.

Sierra Leone Stars have played all their home games in the race to Ivory Coast on the road away from Freetown, with no suitable ground in their country to host international matches.

Guinea-Bissau topped Group A of the qualifiers with ten points after five qualifying matches, followed by Nigeria with nine, while Sierra Leone is third with five points.

In seventeen meetings between the West African nations, Sierra Leone only managed two wins, ten defeats and five draws. 

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The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), as well as Nahim Khadi’s former clubs and colleagues, have been mourning the death of the former football administrator.

The Ex-Sierra Leone Football Association president Nahim Khadi, who died in London on Tuesday, aged 75, was elected as FA boss in 2004.

After his resignation in 2012, he returned to the UK to live with his family. Before his appointment, he served as a Team Manager for our darling Leone Stars. Nahim was an honourable man who tried his best to bring sanity to football in our country.  

He also served as team manager of Old Edwardians when he guided them to a league title in 1986 before moving to East End Lions to serve as a coach in 1989, winning the FA Cup after a 1-0 win over Real Republicans in the final played at the Siaka Stevens.

The country’s football body (SLFA) noted that his impact on football is a lasting legacy.

“The SLFA is deeply saddened by the passing of their former boss. Nahim Khadi’s impact in Sierra Leone football both as a player and a football administrator will forever be remembered.”

East End Lions Football Club noted that the late “Nahim Khadi was a great man, husband, father and someone who is more than just a coach or leader. He was an exceptional coach and a true asset to our team during his reign when he contributed to our history with success in the 1989 Sierra Leone FA Cup.”

Former club Old Edwardians acknowledged his service as they wrote, “Nahim Khadi was a Friend and Father of high integrity and his passion for football was unmatched. We pray that God grants the late Nahim Khadi eternal rest and also grant those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.”

“Old Edwardians Football Club wishes to extend its deepest sympathy to the family of Nahim Khadi, friends & loved ones. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.”

BBC Sport reporter Fajah Barrie recalled, “Before he became president, he was a footballer featuring for the national team Leone Stars whom he also served as a Team manager. At the club level, he played for five Sierra Leonean clubs, including Mighty Blackpool, East End Lions, Old Edwardians and Diamond Stars.

He also served as team manager of Old Edwardians when he guided them to a league title in 1986 before moving to East End Lions to serve as a coach in 1989, winning the FA Cup after a 1-0 win over Real Republicans in the final played at the Siaka Stevens.”

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