The Sierra Leone 2021 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations is out as John Keister named his team for the continental showpiece next month.

As expected, former England international Steven Caulker, skipper Umaru Bangura as captain, made the cut.

Sierra Leone will start their Afcon campaign against Algeria at the Japoma Stadium on January 11 before taking on Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea on 16th and 20th, respectively.

Other veterans of Keister’s side include unattached former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Mohamed Medo Kamara, MLS legend Kei Kamara, Keshla midfielder John Kamara and Queens Park Rangers defender Osman Kakay.

There is another new call-up. Dutch top-tier side  Cambuur‘s winger Issa Kallon. Kallon, 25, is expected to make his senior international debut in a major tournament for Sierra Leone.

There where no place for Crotone FC attacker Augustus Kargbo, Persebaya centre back Alie Sesay, Khalifa Jabbie and former AC Milan midfielder Rodney Strasser.

Like all twenty-three teams, Sierra Leone was permitted optional 28 players for the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations due to any potential COVID-19 outbreaks during the tournament. 

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, writer John Bangura.

Head coach John Keister has received a boost on Wednesday with the arrival of eight more foreign-based ahead of naming his 28-man squad for Afcon. 

Dutch top-tier side Cambuur winger Issa Kallon, Persebaya centre back Alie Sesay, Peterborough United attacker Idris Kanu in Photo, Wycombe Wanderers attacker Sullay Kaikai, defender David Sesay, Khalifa Jabbie, Crotone attacker Augustus Kargbo and former Chelsea academy graduate Kevin Wright will take their first training today.

A total of 21-foreign-based are presently in Freetown in readiness for their Acon opener on January 11 against holder Algeria at the Japoma Stadium.

Head coach John Keister is expected to cut down his 40-man preliminary squad to 28 by the CAF deadline end of this month.

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. 

Since the Leone Stars booked their ticket to the final tournament in Cameroon, they have played five international friendlies, a draw against Ethiopia and South Sudan, a win 2-1 over the Gambia before defeats to Morocco and Comoros.

Meanwhile, Leone Stars played to a 1-1 draw against National Premier League all-stars at the Siaka Steven Stadium on Tuesday – the match was part of the team’s groundwork before departing for Cameroon. 

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Sierra Leone head coach John Keister has named his preliminary 40-man ahead of the Total Energies 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Former England defender Steven Caulker, 29, presently playing for Gaziantep FK on loan from Fenerbahce, is part of the provisional squad.

Greek top-tier side Panetolikos new acquisition Jonathan Morsay has been left out due to a recent hamstring injury.

Netherlands-born winger Issa Kallon look set to make his international debut for Sierra Leone in Cameroon.

Mohamed ‘Medo’ Kamara former Bolton Wanderers midfielder, Mustapha Dumbuya unattached. Rodney Strasser, Kei Kamara and skipper Umaru Bangura are all included.

The list will be trimmed down to 28 out of the 40-man s to represent Sierra Leone at the Nations Cup.

Sierra Leone is in Group E after reaching the tournament after 25-years following a 1-0 win over Benin on June 16 at Stade Général Lansana Conté de Nongo. 

The TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations is the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Meanwhile, there is still uncertainty over the tournament going ahead as planned. However, the caf a few days ago dismissed these rumours.

Organisers have stated that only fans who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with proof of a negative test can attend January’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Group B – Algeria, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast 

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FIFA has approved a change of association for former England defender Steve Caulker, confirmed a top official of the Sierra Leone Football Association, who wanted to remain anonymous. 

As a result, Caulker, 29, presently playing for Gaziantep FK on loan from Fenerbahce, will be a boost to coach John Keister’s side.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool centre-back, who was part of the Leone Stars training camp in Morocco, is expected to be part of the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

In October, the former Queens Park Rangers defender was pleased after playing for the Leone Stars in a 2-1 defeat to Morocco homebased side.

“Playing for Sierra Leone became an obvious choice, an obvious decision,” Caulker said in an Interview. 

Caulker will turn 30 before the tournament starts on Jan. 9 in Cameroon. Sierra Leone is in a group with Algeria, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea.

Also, Greek top-tier side Panetolikos new acquisition Jonathan Morsay was approved to represent Sierra Leone. This was confirmed yesterday by the General Secretary of the SLFA, Chris Kamara. 

The Swedish-born, hailing from a Sierra Leonean parent, is presently injured. His injury has raised doubt about his fitness ahead of the Algeria game on January 11 2022.

Netherlands-born winger Issa Kallon also received the green light to represent Sierra Leone. He has played for Dutch youth sides. Kallon, who is trading with SC Cambuur, was part of the Leone Stars 2-1 friendly defeat to Morocco team B during training camp in October.

Sierra Leone is in Group E after reaching the tournament after 25-years following a 1-0 win over Benin on June 16 at Stade Général Lansana Conté de Nongo. 

The TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations is the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 Contact bi****@*********************ne.net

Former Kamboi Eagles striker Ron Gandy-Williams has admitted he is happy to join one of Sierra Leone’s most decorated clubs Mighty Blackpool.

The striker confirmed he signed as a free agent based on a mutual agreement with Kamboi Eagles to terminate his contract at the end of the first round of the campaign.

Williams, who joined the Eastern Province club in 2019, scored 18 goals over 35 games in two and half-seasons.

“I signed a three-year contract with one of the best clubs in Sierra Leone. I’m happy that I can make this step to Blackpool,” Williams told FSL Sports.

“It’s an honour for my family and I to have finally signed for the club. Wearing the orange jersey will certainly be a dream come true and career fulfilment.”

The Tis Tas Boys are standing twelve on the log after seventeen first-round matches. The Sierra Leone Premier League is expected to continue on January 7th next year. 

The club history stretched back to 1923, founded under the name Socro United.

Sierra Leone Top Flight Championship

1968, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001

Sierra Leone FA Cup Winners

1983, 1988, 1994, 2000

Connect With Us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, writer Lamin Turay in Freetown.