Sierra Leone head coach John Keister (in Photo) has set his sight on reviving their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification with a win when they host Sao Tome & Principe at Stade Agadir in Morocco on Wednesday. Kick-off is at 17hrs GMT.

Third in Group A with just one point after a 2-2 draw against Guinea Bissau and a 2-1 defeat away to Nigeria, today’s match day three qualifier is a must-win for the West African side.

Something coach Keister is fully aware of after his AFCON experience in Cameroon. The Leone Stars have set their sights on back-to-back wins over Sao Tome to revitalise any hope of reaching Ivory Coast 2023.

Head coach John Keister said, “Going to Cameroon after 25 years (away from the competition) was probably the best thing that’s happened to Sierra Leone and Sierra Leone football in that period.” 

“It’s a challenge, but I love challenges. I want to carry on working and hopefully get the right group of players. I am enjoying it. I’m trying to do the best I can. The aim is to qualify for the next Afcon, but I have hopes and aims as a manager.”

Sao Tome, on the other hand, suffered two heavy defeats (1-5 against Guinea-Bissau and 0-10 against Nigeria). However, in football, anything can happen in different games. 

The Falcons and True Parrots Team have only managed wins over fellow minnows Mauritius in the past seven years.

Skipper Steven Caulker focus on the task at hand. 

“It’s a must-win game for us. Because if we must qualify, we should win these games. “These are two important games against São Tomé and Príncipe, and today (Monday) is our first training session. We all know the importance of these matches,” Caulker told FSL News.

He reiterated, “I don’t need to tell them much because every player here knows how significant these two matches are. The coach gave us his message before the training, and the match will not be easy. We have to be mentally and physically ready for these matches.” 

This will be the fifth meeting between the two nations. Their last meeting was a goalless draw in Africa Cup of Nations 1st round 2nd leg Freetown 16 June 2012. Sao Tome e Principe won the first leg 2-1 at home on 29 February 2012.

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Sierra Leone captain Steven Caulker has urged focus from his national teammates ahead of crucial 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches this week.

Caulker, 31, acknowledged that every player must focus and be ready for challenging encounters against their Central African opponent. Any fumble displayed in São Tomé ties will hurt Sierra Leone AFCON’s back-to-back qualification chances.

45,000 seater Grand Stade Adrar Agadir in Morocco will host both critical 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches on the 22 and 26 of March, respectively.

The Wigan Athletic centerback has called on his colleagues to be mentally ready ahead of Wednesday and Sunday crunch ties against the ‘Falcons and True Parrots of Sao Tome of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nation qualifiers at the Grand Stade Agadir, Morocco.

“It’s a must-win game for us. Because if we must qualify, we should win these games. “These are two important games against São Tomé and Príncipe, and today (Monday) is our first training session. We all know the importance of these matches,” Caulker told FSL News.

He reiterated, “I don’t need to tell them much because every player here knows how significant these two matches are. The coach gave us his message before the training, and the match will not be easy. We have to be mentally and physically ready for these matches.” 

• On injuries to Osman Kakay and Rodney Michael 

“Unfortunately, we have suffered two big losses (Osman Kakay and Rodney Michael), but that’s football. 

“Both injuries are a big blow, but the boys who’ve come in have shown today their quality and are more than able to replace these guys. We’re expecting Sao Tome to put up a strong fight and go at us defiantly. 

“We have to be ready because I am sure we will see a different Sao Tome to the side that played against Nigeria”. He, however, called on Sierra Leoneans to be patient and pray for success ahead.”

Sitting third in Group A, Sierra Leone will resume action in the race to Ivory Coast 2023 against São Tomé and Príncipe on Wednesday 22nd, 2023, before the second leg on 26 in Morocco.

This will be the sixth meeting between the two nations. Their last meeting was a goalless draw in Africa Cup of Nations 1st round 2nd leg Freetown 16 June 2012. Sao Tome e Principe won the first leg 2-1 at home on 29 February 2012.

By Martin Wusha Conteh in Agadir, Morocco. 

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Seven foreign-base players out of twelve invited by head coach John Keister have arrived safely at the Southern city of Morocco Agadir ahead of crucial qualifiers against São Tomé and Príncipe. 

Leone Stars of Sierra Leone set to engage their Central African counterparts on Wednesday the 22nd in the first of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers match day three before their second meeting on the 26.

Already in camp are the thirteen home stars and seven foreign based in readiness for their crucial doubleheader.

The foreign-based are skipper Steven Caulker- Wigan Athletic, Kamil Conteh from Gateshead,  Sullay Kai Kai- MK Dons, twin brothers Alhassan Koroma and Alusine Koromo RB Linense, Augustus Kargbo- Crotone and Emmanuel Samadia from the Israeli side- Hapoel Rishon.

The others are expected to arrive later this evening as preparation continues. The team resided at the Riu Palace Hotel, Tikida Taqhazout.

45,000 seater Grand Stade Adrar Agadir in Morocco will host both critical 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches on the 22 and 26 of March, respectively.

Sitting third in Group A, Sierra Leone will resume action in the race to Ivory Coast 2023 against São Tomé and Príncipe on Wednesday 22nd, 2023, before the second leg on 26 in Morocco.

This will be the sixth meeting between the two nations. Their last meeting was a goalless draw in Africa Cup of Nations 1st round 2nd leg Freetown 16 June 2012. Sao Tome e Principe won the first leg 2-1 at home on 29 February 2012.

TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to be the 34th edition of the biennial African international association football tournament organized by CAF.

By Martin Wusha Conteh in Agadir Morocco

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and African News. 

On Saturday, the 18th of March 2023, the Mighty Blackpool will join children with disabilities in their beach carnival organised by World Hope International as part of the commitment of their Chairman, Rodney Michael, to get the club to contribute to humanitarian and charitable events and causes using their football status and popularity to benefit humanity.

In addition, the club has consented to partner with CANCER UK-SL in raising awareness amongst football fans about the dangers of PROSTATE CANCER. 

CANCER UK-SL and MBFC will work on the launch details expected soon.

Brief History

Presently, in second position in the Sierra Leone Premier League, Mighty Blackpool is one of the country’s most decorated outfits with strong continental recognition.

Their history stretches back to 1923, the Western Area club was founded under the name Socro United.

CAF Quater-Finals

In 1989 Mighty Blackpool reached the quarter-final stages of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, the first time a club from Sierra Leone had reached that stage. 

In the first round, they beat reigning champions ES Sétif from Algeria, and in the second round, they defeated Djoliba Athletic Club from Mali before losing to Tonnerre Yaounde from Cameroon in the quarter-finals.

Sierra Leone Top Flight National Champions Titles 

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

Sierra Leone FA Cup Winners

1983, 1988, 1994, 2000

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Sierra Leone head coach John Keister has named his 25-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations matchday three and four against São Tomé Príncipe next week. 

Fourteen foreign-based and eleven home stars were announced this afternoon ahead of the trip to Morocco. 

Sitting third in Group A, Sierra Leone will resume action in the race to Ivory Coast 2023 against São Tomé and Príncipe on Wednesday 22nd, 2023, before the second leg on 26 in Morocco.

Notable inclusions are Wigan Athletic defender Steven Caulker, who is the national skipper, Queens Park Rangers right-back Osman Kakay, Randers striker Alhaji Kamara, Milton Keynes Dons attacker Sullay Kaikai and John Kamara for Egaleo in the Greek second tier.

No Cambuur‘s skipper Alex Bangura, Shanghái Port‘s winger Issa Kallon – the head coach has selected a group with a blend of youth and experience – the likes of Gateshead midfielder on loan from Middlesbrough Kamil Conteh, twin brothers Alhassan and Alusine Koroma, both trading in Primera División RFEF – Group 1 with RB Linense.

Key players left out are Malmö FF‘s attacker Mohamed Buya Turay,  Kwame Quee without a club, inform Barnet striker Idriss Kanu and Forest Green Rovers attacker Amadou Bakayoko.

Sierra Leone staged a second-half comeback to share spoils with Guinea-Bissau in their matchday two 2023 Group A Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in the Guinean capital in June 2022.

Both West African nations played to a 2-2 draw, and as a result, Sierra Leone placed third in the group after their two opening games.

To regain qualification hopes, Sierra Leone must win both matches or at least secure four points against Central Africa’s opposition to having any chance of reaching Ivory Coast 2023.

This will be the sixth meeting between the two nations. Their last meeting was a goalless draw in Africa Cup of Nations 1st round 2nd leg Freetown 16 June 2012. Sao Tome e Principe won the first leg 2-1 at home on 29 February 2012.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and African News. 

See the listed players revealed by the Sierra Leone Football Association. 

Sierra Leone head coach John Keister will announce his squad on Tuesday ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Sao Tome this month.

The Sierra Leone Football Association confirmed the news on Sunday. These meetings will be the sixth between the two nations. The delegation is expected to depart Freetown for Morocco this week. 

45,000 seater Grand Stade Adrar Agadir in Morocco will host both critical 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches on the 22 and 26 of March, respectively.

Presently the Leone Stars of Sierra leone are third in Group A in the race to Ivory Coast.

TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to be the 34th edition of the biennial African international association football tournament organized by CAF.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and National News.