Former Sierra Leone skipper and Cup of Nations ambassador Mohamed Kallon is optimistic that the Leone Stars will produce the result needed to make the round of sixteen.

A win for Sierra Leone will almost ensure their place in the tournament round of sixteen for the first time in history. Sierra Leone’s only Cup of Nations victory was a 2-1 win over Burkina-Faso at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa 1996. John Gbassay Sessay  11′ and Mohamed Kallon  89′ accounted for the goals.

Kallon is aware that resilient Leone Stars must put in a top-notch performance like the Algeria game to end the Les Éléphants of Ivory Coast unbeaten run against Sierra Leone.

The kickoff at the 50,000-capacity all-seater Japoma Stadium is at 16 MGT + 1 on Sunday in the Japoma locality in Douala.

Speaking to Football Sierra Leone cameras, he said, “We are here to ensure the team is well prepared for top matches, and I am optimistic that this team has the potential to progress to the round of sixteen.”

The former Monaco striker, who is in Douala in the capacity as Afcon ambassador to Leone Stars, reiterated that the team is well balanced.

“90% per cent of the players are young, which means they’re going to serve the national team for a long time. As we all noticed from their first match against Algeria, they played as if they played in the tournament before with confidence and composure, and i think if we have to work with the strength of the team, that will allow us to hurt any team.”

He also acknowledged the importance of the support-technical team appointed by the SLFA. The likes of Lamin Conteh, Lamin Bangura, his elder brother Keimokai Kallon.

“I was pleased with the appointment of the support team, the Lamin Bangura, Keimokai Kallon and Lamin Conteh to share their experience and to help condense the pressure on the team.”

Kallon recalled playing against Burkina Faso noted that this team played well as compared to their triumph at the Bloemfontein, South Africa 1996.

“If you go back to my time, our first performance against Burkina-Faso, you cannot compare to this performance against Algeria. The lads played well, well organised, well-disciplined. 

Those days, things were a little bit different. This current team, based on the exposure of the players, and on what they have shown so far looking at the table and statistics, if we can have a point or our prime objective, game day objective is to win against Ivory Coast, which is possible because I saw their team. If we can take the game to Ivory Coast, we can get something out of this game.”

Here is what coach John Keister had to say in Saturday’s briefings

“I think we very comfortable around which way we wanted to go. I think we can get something out of the Ivory Coast game. Ivory Coast is not going to be any different. Football is on the day, and that is the motivation, guys.”

“It’s going to be a difficult game, but If we want to get better as a coach as a footballing nation, we have to play against the better teams, and that is how we have to test ourselves and see where we are, as a nation.”

Keister was pleased with how former International Steven Can have adapted quickly into his squad. 

He emphasised that records are meant to be broken when responding to a question of Ivory Coast unbeaten run against Sierra Leone.

When asked about any injury concerns, Keister noted, they will come out with injuries news, if any, at the right time. It is very difficult when you access players. We have a match tomorrow – we have to give ourselves time. We are very mindful.

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Football enthusiast and owner of Politico Newspaper Umaru Fofanah reckon it was sensible to bring along the oxygen behind Sierra Leone national, the fans to the Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Fofanah, who was dancing with Sierra Leonean fans before and after the Leone Stars famous draw with holders Algeria in Douala on Tuesday, was responding to questions by this medium.

“The fans are the oxygen the players breathe – they need them, they need all the chantings from the stands, all the support, it brings out special adrenalin in them. So, the importance of the fans cannot be overemphasised, which is why, in football matches, home games matter, because that is where the real fans are. The majority of the fans are, as supposed to playing away, where your fans are easily eclipsed,” Fofanah told FSL News in Douala.

He added, “Fans are very important, and I am sure the footballers themselves can tell you that. The cheering they were hearing for them contributed tremendously toward the very spectacle performance they put up.”

After Sierra Leone impressive display, Fofanah now looks forward to the Ivory Coast game and Leone Stars chances to make the round of sixteen.

“I hope and truly believe that if our guys put up the same performance they did against Algeria. I saw the Ivory Coast match as well. And I don’t think Ivory Coast were convincing that day when they had their opening match against Equatorial Guinea.

“I strongly believe if our boys put up the same performance they did against Algeria, we definitely will have the maximum points against the Ivory Coast. Agreed that it is not far away from Cameroon. There are lots of Ivorians here, I watched their match there were lots of Ivorians, but we are mobilising.”

A win against Ivory Coast will surely mean Sierra Leone will reach the Continental showpiece knock-out stages for the first time in its history.

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After being named Man of the Match for his composure and excellent display against the African Cup of Nation defending Champions Algeria, Sierra Leone keeper Mohamed Kamara says he was pleased and pleased with team spirit. 

Kamara, 22, made seven great saves as he helped to frustrate Algeria in Sierra Leone impressive goalless draw in their Group E opener at the Japoma Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

The East End Lions keeper was pivotal for the West Africans against a top Algerian side. He denied Ramy Bensebaini and Baghdad Bounedjah in stoppage time.

Speaking to Football Sierra Leone in Douala, Kamara praised God for his guidance on the pitch.

“Glory is to God for great team performance. I’m happy, and all the praises belong to Allah.

“This is something I have been working on for many years, and against Algeria, God made it easy for me. This performance did not come as a surprise to me because I have been working on myself.”

Coach John Keister will be hoping Kamara will maintain his form against the Ivory Coast on Sunday at the same venue.

The Leone Stars search of making the round of sixteen of the continental showpiece for the first time in its history.

Elsewhere In the group, on Wednesday, Ivory Coast defeated Equatorial Guinea 1-0 to go top of Group E.

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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