Sierra Leone was impressive against Algeria as both nations played to a goalless draw in their Africa Cup of Nations Group E opener at the Japoma Stadium on Tuesday.

Thanks to Local-based keeper Mohamed Kamara, who was named the Man of the Match for his composed display.

It’s was a show of two equals over 90-minute despite bookmakers picking Algeria to win the opener. China-based striker Mohamed Buta Turay was a handful for the Algeria right-back Bensebaini.

The North Africans and their counterparts missed a couple of good chances in the first forty-five minutes. Turay also tested Rais M’Bolhi in the first half. After the break, Alhaji Kamara, who plays for Danish side Randers, came close with an early snapshot for Sierra Leone.

Kamara then had an effort disallowed for offside after the break before Brahimi’s gilt-edged miss at the other end.

This refused goal served as a reminder to the Desert Foxes, who began to come out showing their brilliance. However, the Leone Stars show no respect as they continue with a counter-attacking of the holders.

Yacine Brahimi tried to light the first match in the 50th minute but fell short on the Sierra Leonean goalkeeper. In the 65th minute, Sofiane Bendebka was blocked by Steven Caulker as the ball hit the net.

With six minutes remaining, Benrhama misses the mark on his own in the penalty area. The match remains goalless as the Desert Foxes laid siege to the Sierra Leone side but informed goalkeeper Mohamed N Kamara was on his best as he made up for his defence twice.

Sierra Leone face the Ivory Coast on the 16 at the same venue, a match that will surely put coach John Keister men on their way to the round of sixteen if they can avoid defeat.

Algeria, who defeated Senegal in the 2019 final, face Equatorial Guinea in their next game on Sunday.

In the same group on Wednesday, Ivory Coast will take on Equatorial.

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The first goalkeeper in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 to earn the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award! 🧤

Give it up for #TeamSierraLeone's Mohamed Kamara! 💪#AFCON2021 | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/eXiqA1FwJv

— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 11, 2022

FULL TIME #TeamAlgeria 0-0 #TeamSierraLeone

With a goalless draw, the points are shared 🤝#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #ALGSLE pic.twitter.com/KdO3uzPKYq

— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 11, 2022

Former East End Tigers keeper Ibrahim Sesay said it was an “indescribable emotion” after being named the youngest to be part of his country Africa Cup of Nations squad in Cameroon.

The youngster is in contention to make his Afcon debut with the West Africa Nation against Algeria on January 11 at the Japoma Stadium in Douala.

Sierra Leone’s Sesay is the second youngest at this year’s continental tournament set to kick off on Sunday in Yaounde. The youngest at this Afcon is Mauritanian Beyatt Lekweiry. The young AS Douanes midfielder Beyatt Lekweiry was a surprise call-up by Mourabitounes coach Didier Gomes da Rosa, who took charge in November. He was part of last year’s Under-20 Arab Cup aged 15.

“Indescribable emotion after I learnt that I will be representing my country at the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon,” the 17-year-old told FSL Sport.

He made his International debut against the Gambia in an international friendly, helping the Leone Stars to a 2- 1 at the El Jadida stadium in Morocco back in November.

Sesay, who started his career with Yopanda Rovers, has been impressive with the Submarines in the ongoing Sierra Leone Premier League that warranted his inclusion into the National team.

The 17-year-old stopper was praised for his display against the Gambian and was in goal again for his second appearance in the 2-1 defeat to Morocco home-based side as Leone Stars wrapped up their training camp at the Stade El Bachir, Mohammédia, during Sierra Leone training camp in November.

“A big blessing for me, and of course, this came with hard work. Not many 17-years get this opportunity to represent their country in one of the biggest stages of Africa and world football,” Sesay told FSL Sports.

“I want to thank God for giving me the talent my prayers has always been playing for Sierra Leone. My wish was to get a good and impressive season in the Sierra Leone Premier League, which has helped me impress the Bo Rangers management.

In November, after Sierra Leone International friendlies, Sesay told FSL News that he was over the moon to make my International debut against the Gambia, and most importantly, we won. I am grateful for this opportunity. It takes a lot of sacrifices and hard work to get this far.

“I was part of the team in Guinea in the 1-0 over Benin at the General Lansana Conté Stadium in June African Cup of Nation qualifier.”

In their last friendly, the Moroccan local-based defeated Sierra Leone 2-1 after a late-gasp controversial penalty.

Legend and former Inter Milan striker was the youngest from Sierra Leone when he hit a last-minute goal for Sierra Leone a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein in South Africa, their first-ever continental victory (African Nations Cup).

• List of the four youngest at the Tournament in Cameroon.

Beyatt Lekweiry – Mauritania( 16 Year’s 8 months )

Ibrahim Sesay – Sierra Leone (17 Years, Two Months)

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku- Ghana (17 Years, 10 Months)

Hannibal Mejbri – Tunisia ( 18 Years, 11 Months)

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Sierra Leone head coach John Keister is optimistic that Leone Stars will face holders Algeria with a positive attitude. Kickoff 13hrs Group E – 11 January 2022 Stade de Japoma, Douala.

Keister and his troops plotting to go past the group stage for the first time in Sierra Leone history, with the former international working on the road map. 

The West African nation arrived safely in Cameroon on Thursday ahead of their Group E opener against holders Algeria. 

Speaking to Football Sierra Leone, Keister said, “We know that they are a good side, but in football on the day is who wants it the most. If we want to be in this competition year in, year out, we have to play against the best in Africa.” 

“We are not just here in Cameroon for the sake of it. We are here to compete and see where it takes us. We’re going to try and compete, be very brave.”

Keister guided the West African Nation to the tournament after 26-years. Kei Kamara converted a 19-minute spot-kick at the General Lansana Conté Stadium against Benin back in June 2021.

After 26 years of absence, Sierra Leone is back in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, hoping to go beyond the group stage this time.

To reach this year Afcon finals in Cameroon, Sierra Leone staged one of the greatest comebacks in Cup of Nations qualifying history, coming from four goals behind in Nigeria to draw 4-4. 

Kwame Quee, Alhaji Kamara and Mustapha Bundu, scorers of the goals that stunned the Super Eagles, have all been included in the Cameroon-bound squad, whose realistic target must be third place in Group E.

Algeria, on the other hand, is ready to defend its title. The North Africans are tournament favourites. However, they will have to buck a trend as the last five African champions failed to defend the title, with none advancing further than the round of 16.

The Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off in Cameroon on Sunday.

Nickname: Leone Stars Participation No. 3 Records: Group stage (1994, 1996)

Qualifiers:

Sierra Leone 1-1 Lesotho

Benin 1-0 Sierra Leone

Nigeria 4-4 Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone 0-0 Nigeria

Lesotho 0-0 Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone 1-0 Benin

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If he plays for Sierra Leone in the Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Cameroon, Major League Soccer legend Kei Kamara will become the oldest player ever to represent the West African nation at the biggest stage of African football.

Kamara, who will be 37-years four months and ten days before Leone Stars take on Algeria, is one of Africa’s oldest players ever to grace the tournament after being named in coach John Kiester’s final squad.

Speaking to Football Sierra Leone on his potential Afcon debut, Kei Kamara said, “What a moment for our country to be participating in another African Cup of Nations since 96. I feel blessed to be part of this group of guys to represent our country in the biggest stage of African football. I hope we make our brother’s sisters mothers fathers proud.”

Retired keeper Osaio Marah was 33-year when he played in a goalless draw against Zambia on 29 March 1994. He was 35-year during the 1996 tournament but did not play in any Leone Stars games.

The Leone Stars will depart Sierra Leone on Thursday for Cameroon. They will open their campaign against reigning champions Algeria at the Japoma Stadium on 11 January Kick-off 13 hrs.

Kamara, who played 359 matches in the MLS, scoring 130 goals making 37 assists for eight different clubs, 19th-minute goal from the spot, at the General Lansana Conté Stadium in June 2021, guided Sierra Leone to the continental showpiece for the first time since 1996.

In Africa, Egypt retired goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary became the oldest player in the Africa Cup of Nations history, aged 44, to be featured in his country’s Group D opener against Mali in 2017 after he replaced Ahmed El-Shenawy.

Sierra Leone legend Mohamed Kallon became the youngest player to ever play for the Leone Stars. He was 16 years nine months, the youngest player at the 1996 African Nations cup in South Africa. He scored the Leone Stars winner in 2-1 over Burkina Faso 2–1 in their opening group match at the 1996 African Nations Cup, played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Shiva N’Zigou was 16 years and 93 days old when he played for  Gabon in a group stage match against  South Africa on 23 January 2000.

The Olembe Stadium will host the tournament opener between host Cameroon and Burkina Faso, runners-up of 2013 AFCON. The continental showpiece in Cameroon will run from January 9th to February 6th 2022. 

Six OLDEST PLAYERS IN THE 2019 AFCON

1. Keeper Naby Yattara (35 years) Guinea

2. Keeper Carlos Kameni (35 years) Cameroon

3. Aggrey Morris (35 years) Tanzania

4. Defender Jérémy Morel (35 years) Madagascar

5. StrikerStéphane Sessègnon (35 years) Benin

6.    Kelvin Yondan (34) Tanzania 

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