Sierra Leone U23 head coach Amidu Karim says he is confident of a positive result in the decider between Sierra Leone and Young Chipolopolo of Zambia at the Heroes Stadium next weekend.

Zambia’s last-gasp equaliser secured a vital 1-1 draw with the Sierra Leone U23 side in the first leg of the Africa U-23 Cup of Nation qualifier at the SDK Stadium in Liberia on Saturday.

Alie Conteh put the home side in front in the 59th minute from the penalty spot, but the visitors rallied to grab their equaliser through Joshua Mutale’s spot kick in the 91st minute.

“The boys performed well in Liberia despite the draw. I’m optimistic that we will win and qualify in Zambia,” Coach Karim told FSL News.

“I am pleased with the overall performance of the team and the foreign-based players – they played well, but Emmanuel Samadia remains a doubt for the return match as the rest will be part of the squad.”

Next Saturday, the Zambians will be playing in front of their home crowd at Heroes Stadium on 29 October as both sides bid to reach the next stage of the African Cup of Nations U23 qualifiers.

The home side is searching for an unprecedented third straight U23 AFCON qualification after making group-stage exits from the 2015 and 2019 tournaments.

Over two legs, the aggregate winner will face either Egypt or Eswatini in the final qualifying round. The U23 AFCON tournament will serve as a ticket for the U23 Paris 2024 Olympics.

Return Leg – Zambia Vs Sierra Leone

Heroes Stadium Saturday, 29 October 

After a 1-1 first-leg U23 meeting, the young Leone Stars of Sierra Leone will go toe to toe in the decider with young Chipolopolo of Zambia on Saturday 29th October at the Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. @FAZFootball @CAF_Media @zambianfootball #SaloneTwitter #Africanfootball pic.twitter.com/XuEL3AIcsv

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) October 23, 2022

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, Twitter @bittar32, and Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.

Hapoel Rishon leZion winger Emmanuel Samadia, Mbabane Swallows’ midfielder Mohamed Kabia, Troyes U19 striker Moses Turay and Italy-based right-back Demba Kamara are expected to join the Sierra Leone U23 squad ahead of the first leg qualifier against Zambia this weekend.

John Thomas “Jay Tee” Kamara, who joined Columbus Crew MLS NEXT Pro side in February after one year with Louisville City FC of the USL Championship, is expected to be in Liberia on Wednesday.

Samadia is no stranger to the national setup. The winger was recently part of the AFCON qualifying squad against Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.

Kamara, who made his Sierra Leone debut during the Mediterranean training camp in Turkey in March in a 1-0 win over Liberia, was part of the U20 Wafu Zone A side in Mauritania in August.

Troyes striker Moses Turay made his Sierra Leone debut in the 3-0 defeat to DRC Leopards in September’s International friendly in Morocco. 

Sierra Leone will kick start their Total Energies U23 AFCON 2023 qualifier against Zambia Saturday, 22 October, at the SKD stadium in Liberia before the reverse fixture on 29th in Lusaka.

The five foreign-based are expected in Liberia latest Wednesday ahead of the first leg cracker against young Chipolopolo.

In 2015, Sierra Leone eliminated Cameroon from the 2016 Olympic Games football qualifiers. Ex-skipper Sorie Barrie scored in the 93rd minute to draw parity after Joseph Minala had put Cameroon ahead. It was a goalless first leg in Cameroon.

Over two legs, the aggregate winner will face either Egypt or Eswatini in the final qualifying round.

The U23 AFCON tournament will serve as a ticket for the U23 Paris 2024 Olympics.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, Twitter @bittar32, and Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.