Sierra Leone’s Bolton Wanderers striker Amadou Bakayoko has admitted, if selected, facing Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be his first proper match in Leone Stars jersey.

The three-time African Champions will square up with the Leone Stars at Moshood Abiola Stadium in the Group A opener behind closed doors on the 9th of June. 

The Bolton’s hitman scored his first goal for Sierra Leone in an international friendly 1-0 over Liberia during their Meditteranean tour last March at the Mardan Sports Stadium in Aksu, Antalya, Turkey.

The Sierra Leone contingent arrived in Abuja on Saturday in readiness the face their counterpart for the seventeen times. The last meeting in Freetown ended in a goalless draw in November 2020. 

Bakayoko, 26, has been an instrumental player for League One side Bolton Wanderers since signing on a two-year deal in January 2021.

“Without a doubt playing against Nigeria will be my first proper match for Sierra Leone. Something I am looking forward to, but both Nigeria and Guinea Bissau games are no easy games,” the big striker told footballsierraleone.net.

“God willing – we can go out there and showcase ourselves against a tough Nigeria side.” Helping Sierra Leone reach the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast 2023 will be massive, personally for me, my country and all of us players working so hard to give our best.”

“Making the next African Cup of Nations is something as a player want to be part of and will be unbelievable for me to play in the tournament in Ivory Coast for the first time.”

“The last competition, I was not part of but watched the team play well hence why It will be pivotal for us to be in the Ivory Coast tournament.”

In just concluded season, he scored 13 goals surpassing the ten goals at Walsall shirt in 2016/17.

News from the Super Eagles’ camp stated that the new boss Jose Peseiro is already under pressure ahead of their first 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sierra Leone.

The Portuguese have lost the first two games he has been in charge of since his appointment in May. The Eagles Super lost 2-1 to Mexico and 1-0 to Ecuador in international friendlies last week.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone matchday two confrontations against Guinea Bissau will be played at General Lansana Conté stadium in Guinea on the 13th of June.

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Sierra Leone contingent will depart the Guinean capital en route to Lome for Abuja for their crucial tie against Nigeria.

John Keister’s side will have another four full days to put finishing tactics together for a tough away 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Nigeria.

Football Sierra Leone understands that Deputy High Commissioner Miss Anna Betty Moussa will join other Diplomatic Staff to receive the team this afternoon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Moshood Abiola Stadium in Group A opener behind closed doors on the 9th of June. 

Meanwhile, Super Eagles skipper Ahmed Musa, Napoli in-form striker Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have all been called up to the Nigeria squad for Sierra Leone and Sao Tome by new boss José Peseiro. 

Forward Cyriel Dessers, who scored in the 2-1 defeat to Mexico last Saturday, is expected to partner with Victor Osimhen in the Super Eagles attack. 

Peseiro has added Israeli –based goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye, defenders Abdullahi Shehu, Zaidu Sanusi, Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.

The Super Eagles suffered a back-to-back defeat during their US training camp and will look to get back to winning ways when they host Sierra Leone in Abuja next Thursday at the 

On the 13th, at the Marrakech Stadium in the Moroccan city, São Tomé and Príncipe will host Nigeria as they do not have an approved playing ground in their country. 

The same day the General Lansana Conté stadium hosted Leone Stars’ home tie against Guinea Bissau. 

OpponentWatch @NGSuperEagles @SSE_NGA @thenff

Jose Peseiro named Nigeria sqaud for Sierra Leone @football_sierra #SaloneTwitter #FSLMedia pic.twitter.com/WUZ1M93VRv

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) June 4, 2022

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Five foreign-based players have boosted the Sierra Leone camp for the doubleheader against Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau for this month’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers. 

The five players include Bolton striker Amadou Bakayoko, who scored his first goal for Sierra Leone in 1-0 over Liberia in March, Kwame Quee, China-based striker Mohamed Buya Turay, John Kamara and Italy-based attacker Augustus Kargbo. 

The SLFA media in the Guinean capital has confirmed that 12 out of the 25-man squad have arrived in Conakry, with twelve more expected, including Captain Steven Roy Caulker, to arrive in camp this evening. 

Keeper Mohamed Kamara, who a few days ago signed for Guinean giant Horoya AC, Bo Rangers keeper Ibrahim Sesay, Donald Kamara of East End Lions, Bo Rangers left-back Saidu Mansaray, local top striker Musa Noah Kamara, FC Johansen defender Lamin Conteh and Saidu Bah Kamara were all part of a light training session today.

In addition, Anderlecht winger Mustapha Bundu and Emden defensive midfielder Ibrahim Sillah will join the team on Thursday.

On the 9th, Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja will host Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON opening qualifier against Sierra Leone behind closed doors.

General Lansana Conté stadium to host matchday two Leone Stars home tie against Guinea Bissau on June 13. 

@TotalEnergies #AFCON2023Q #AFCON2023 race to @FIFCI_tweet kickoff on Wednesday, June 1st. Defending Champions @Fsfofficielle 🇸🇳 host Benin 🇧🇯 on Saturday – Guinea 🇬🇳 away in Egypt 🇪🇬 on Sunday.@football_sierra #SaloneTwitter #SierraLeoneStories pic.twitter.com/U3OsO5FIO6

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) June 1, 2022

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After his hattrick to help his local club lift the Sierra Leone title on Sunday, Musa Noah Kamara – has turned his attention to the Leone Stars African Cup of Nations’ 2023 first qualifying trip in Abuja against Nigeria next month.

The Sierra Leone best player of the 2021 campaign has set a new record as Bo Rangers thrashed Central Parade 4-0 to wrap up their title for the first time in their history on Sunday.

Kamara, 21, a back-to-back golden boot winner with 19 goals this season, was summoned in coach John Keister’s sqaud for afcon 2023 qualifiers.

The Rangers striker is the first local star to achieve this milestone. Kamara first won the 2019 Sierra Leone National Premier League with 15 goals for champions East End Lions.

Sierra Leone will kick off Afcon 2023 qualifying campaign against Nigeria on June 9 in Abuja. The informed striker Kamara’s recent goals will serve as a stern warning to the three-time African Champions.

Kamara is a pivotal figure in the coach Keister’s sqaud – as the Leone Stars start with a tricky tie at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja behind closed doors before hosting Guinea-Bissau at the General Lansana Conté stadium on June 13th.

Nicknamed country striker, Kamara’s magnificent left-footed strike, his first international goal in his first continental gathering (2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament) in the 2–2 draw against the Ivory Coast on 16 January 2022, was rated as one of the best in the tournament by soccer pundits in the country.

He appeared in their third group match as the Leone Stars were eliminated from the competition in Cameroon after a 1–0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea.

“Musa Kamara only needs to focus and get his act right and can deliver anytime for the Leone Stars. His goal against the Ivory Coast was a classic example of what he is capable off,” a family friend told FSL News.

Meanwhile, Nigeria suffered a 2-1 defeat to CONCACAF champions Mexico at the AT&T Stadium in Texas on Sunday.

Next up for the Super Eagles is Ecuador in another friendly game on Friday, June 3, before their AFCON 2023 qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Mauritius.

@SLPLBoard21 award list for the just concluded Sierra Leone season. #SaloneTwitter #Salonestories #FSLMedia #FSLNews pic.twitter.com/7D2xbGQoo7

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) May 29, 2022

#SierraLeone Super goal #TotalAfcon2021 https://t.co/DRpj9SAwZm

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) May 27, 2022

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Sierra Leone home-based national side will be seeking their first TotalEnergies African Nations Championship set to be held in Algeria 2022 when they face Cape Verde in July this year.

The qualifiers, as usual, will be played in a home and away contest and the winner of the two-legged matches will face Mali in the next stage. 

The draw was conducted at CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, 26 May 2022. Only three teams will qualify from West Zone A. 

Sierra Leone was eliminated by Senegal 4-2 on aggregate during the 2018 African Nations Championship qualifiers. 

The country was ineligible for the 2020 tournament due to a FIFA sanction.

Morocco won the last competition for the second time after overcoming Mali 2-0 in a thrilling final at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde on February 7 2020, in Cameroon.

The final tournament is scheduled to be played in Algeria from 8–31 January 2023.

West Zone B

All seven teams from the region entered, and three teams will qualify.

Round one:

• Ghana v Benin

Round two:

• Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso
• Togo v Niger
• Ghana/Benin v Nigeria

Central Zone

A total of six teams entered, and three will qualify.

Sao Tome e Principe were suspended from the CHAN after withdrawing from the 2020 qualifiers, while Gabon opted not to enter.

• Central African Republic v Congo
• Equatorial Guinea v Cameroon
• Chad v DR Congo

Central East Zone

A total of nine teams entered, and three teams will qualify. Eritrea and Kenya opted not to enter.

Round one:

• Ethiopia v South Sudan
• Somalia v Tanzania
• Burundi v Djibouti

Round two:

• Ethiopia/South Sudan v Rwanda
• Somalia/Tanzania v Uganda
• Burundi/Djibouti v Sudan

Southern Zone

A total of 12 teams entered, and three will qualify. 

Round one:

• Mauritius v Angola
• Comoros v South Africa
• Botswana v Eswatini
• Seychelles v Madagascar
• Malawi v Zimbabwe
• Mozambique v Zambia

Round two:

• Mauritius/Angola v Comoros/South Africa
• Botswana/Eswatini v Seychelles/Madagascar
• Malawi/Zimbabwe v Mozambique/Zambia

Race to Algeria 2023 🇩🇿 – Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 to face Cape Verde in Chan qualifiers & the winner will face Mali

First/Second leg matches are to be played in July 2022.#CHAN2022 #SierraLeoneStoriss #Salonetwitter #CHAN2022 @football_sierra @SLFA_sl pic.twitter.com/fP4hEEnDdn

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) May 26, 2022

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Sierra Leonean sensation of 2021 African Cup of Nation keeper Mohamed Kamara has signed up for Horoya Athletic Club on a two-year deal.

The twenty-time Guinean Champions have confirmed the news on their website.

“Mohamed Kamara, the goalkeeper, has signed up for Horoya Athletic Club for two years.

“Propelled to the forefront of the continental scene after his remarkable performances against Algeria (Man of the Match) and Côte d’Ivoire (Franck Kessié’s penalty save) during CAN 2021 in Cameroon. Mohamed Kamara was playing until then at the East End Lions FC, a Sierra Leonean club based in the capital Freetown,” the club said in a statement.

Kamara, 23, was named Man of the Match in Sierra Leone draw with Algeria on January 11 2022, at the Japoma Stadium, thanks to a brave display that saw him frustrate one of the tournament’s favourites.

He saved a vital spot-kick against the Ivory Coast that saw the Leone Stars rallied to a 2-2 draw at the Japoma Stadium.

Kamara helped East End Lions win the 2018/2019 season unbeaten, four points ahead of FC Kallon.

He was named in the Sierra Leone sqaud for 2023 African Cup of Nation qualifying matches against Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau next month, the 9th and 13th, respectively.

Watch Kamara’s highlights against Algeria below!

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@HACofficiel sign Sierra Leone 2021 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations sensation @n_kamara1 @guineefoot @Guineenews pic.twitter.com/PnNIkFNv2I

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) May 22, 2022