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. 

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

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

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