Sierra Leone Sierra Queens will engage the Gambia in the qualifiers for the Total Energies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2021.

The knockout tie is one of the twenty-two matches set to kick off on the 18th of October 2021 as Sierra Queens take on their counterparts in the first leg at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium.

The return fixture will be played at the Independence Stadium (Bakau) in The Gambia on the 26th of October.

Head Coach Abdulai Bah is expected to name 23 players for the doubleheader this month.

“In as much that I respected the Gambians, we do not fear them,” says Coach Bah in May after the draw at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The tournament will be the first edition organized under the format of 12 teams. The 2016 and 2018 AFCON qualifiers brought together 23 and 24 teams, respectively.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria are presently the best-ranked side in Africa, Cameroon second and South Africa third.

The AFCON is also a qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia-New Zealand 2023.

Qualifiers for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations:

First round:

• Uganda v Ethiopia
• Kenya v South Sudan
• Eritrea v Burundi
• Djibouti v Rwanda
• Malawi v Zambia
• Tanzania v Namibia
• Zimbabwe v Eswatini
• Angola v Botswana
• Mozambique v South Africa
• Algeria v Sudan
• Egypt v Tunisia
• Equatorial Guinea v DR Congo
• Sao Tome and Principe v Togo
• Congo v Gabon
• Central African Republic v Cameroon
• Sierra Leone v Gambia
• Liberia v Senegal
• Mali v Guinea
• Guinea Bissau v Mauritania
• Burkina Faso v Benin
• Nigeria v Ghana
• Niger v Ivory Coast

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East End Tigers keeper Ibrahim Sesay has hit the ground running at the International level, earning admiration from soccer fans.

The Tigers keeper says he was pleased after making his full Sierra Leone debut on Saturday, helping the Leone Stars to a 2- 1 win over the Gambia in an international friendly match at the El Jadida stadium in Morocco.

Sesay, who started his career with Yopanda Rovers, has been impressive with the Submarines in the ongoing Sierra Leone Premier League that warranted his inclusion into the National team.

The 17-year-old stopper was praised for his display against the Gambians and was in goal again for his second appearance in the 2-1 defeat to Morocco home-based side as Leone Stars wrapped up their training camp at the Stade El Bachir, Mohammédia, on Tuesday.

“I was very impressed with Ibrahim Sesay. He was composed and had no hesitation on his decision making against the Gambians,” Samuel Turay commented on Sesay’s debut.

“He really looks good between the post. He’s agile, has the right height for a goalkeeper and is not afraid. Looking very comfortable,” James Fornah gives his views on the young Sierra Leone keeper.

Sesay told FSL News: “I was pleased to make my International debut against the Gambia, and most importantly, we won. I am grateful for this opportunity. It takes a lot of sacrifices and hard work to get this far. 

“I was part of the team in Guinea in the 1-0 over Benin at the General Lansana Conté Stadium in June African Cup of Nation qualifier.” 

In their last friendly, the Moroccan local-based defeated Sierra Leone 2-1 after a late-gasp controversial penalty.

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