Sierra Leone will kick off their African Cup Of Nations 2023 campaign with Togo friendly on Thursday at the Mardan multi-purpose stadium in Aksu, Antalya, Turkey. 

Both nations wrapped up their training sessions on Wednesday ahead of test cracker as they will be hoping to get their Fifa friendly window on track with a win.

Speaking to the SLFA Media, the newly appointed squad skipper Steven Caulker is optimistic that the “team has great potentials and we are positive that the team can do great things.” Adding that the team is full of young and passionate players that are enthusiastic to play football.”

Both the West African neighbours have played seven times in all competitions, with the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the disadvantage with only a win, five defeats and a draw.

Tomorrow’s friendly game will be the first meeting between the two sides since 2007.

SLFA Media- Antalya, Turkey.

UD San Pedro midfielder Alusine Koroma, Winston Razel Ceesay from Italian side Rotonda and Hapoel Umm al-Fahm attacker Emmanuel Samadia are all set for their first training session today.

The above names arrived to join the rest of the squad last night as a total of twenty-three players are now present at TUI Magic Life Masmavi, Antalya, ahead of their first International friendly with Togo.

As a result, head coach John Keister and his technical team will continue today’s two-day training session with a 23-man squad including 15-foreign and 8 home based at the Sueno Sports Center in Antalya.

Sierra Leone will face their West African Counterpart for the ninth time in all competitions on Thursday, March 24, at the multi-purpose Mardan Sports Complex in Aksu, Antalya, Turkey.

SLFA Media- Antalya, Turkey

Sierra Leone head coach John Keister’s side received a boost after the arrival of eight additional foreign-based players ahead of opening training.

Queens Park Rangers defender Osman Kakay, IK Sirius new acquisition Kevin Wright, Center-back David Sesay, Watford’s youngster Kamil Conteh, Rimini Calcio’s midfielder Demba Kamara have all arrived in the Leone Stars training camp in Turkey.

The others are debutants Ibrahim Sillah Kickers Emden, Greek top-tier side Panetolikos Jonathan Morsay, defensive, right-back Kallum Cesay, 19, from Premier League side Tottenham as the team set for their first training session this afternoon.

Sierra Leone to start their internship against Togo on March 24 at the multi-purpose Mardan Sports Complex in Aksu Antalya, Turkey, followed by Liberia and Congo Brazzaville on 29.

Alie Bittar – Media Officer Attached Antalya, Turkey

Sierra Leone stars have touched down in Antalya as they prepare for a busy week taking Togo’s Les Éperviers, the Lone Stars of Liberia and the Diables Rouges of Congo Brazzaville.

The Leone Stars will be hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea in their final African Cup of Nations match played in January.

Gaziantep defender Steven Caulker, Bolton Wanderers striker Amadou Bakayoko, Cambuur duo Alex Bangura & Issa Kallon safely arrived in the Sierra Leone camp in Turkey as the rest of foreign-based expected on Tuesday.

A total of 23 players were invited for Sierra Leone International friendlies in Turkey. The team, led by coach John Keister and his backroom staff, set for their first training session on Tuesday.

The contingent, led by Sierra Leone Football Association President Thomas Daddy Brima, resides at TUI Magic Life Masmavi, Antalya.

The Leone Stars will face their Togolese counterpart on the 24th at the Mardan Sports Complex in Aksu, Antalya, Turkey.

Head coach John Keister is here to evaluate his side as matches will be part of his groundwork for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Alie Bittar- Media Officer Attached Antalya, Turkey.