Shooting Stars of Sierra Leone will kick start their qualification U20 Zone A campaign with an opening contest against Mali on Monday at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya.

After a series of intensive training sessions, the national U20 37-man contingent is expected in Nouakchott Mauritania today ahead of their opener.

The regional competition is set to commence (tomorrow) on the 28th of August – will serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt. 

Shooting Stars of Sierra Leone, who have never been to the U20 Nations Cup, have a chance to break through this time. After their training camp in Kenema City, coach Sillah believes his side is fully ready to face the challenges starting from Monday.

“We are impressed with the players’ mental strength, physical approach, and coordination. Such performance will be replicated during the tournament”, Sillah was quoted as saying.

Mali were the runners-up in the tournament hosted in Guinea 2019 after a 2-0 defeat to winners Senegal. Sierra Leone suffered an 8-7 defeat to the Gambia on penalties to secure fourth place.

Sierra Leone edged into the semi-finals with a 3-2 win over host Guinea. A Suffian Kaloko brace ensured Shooting Stars make the last four at the September 28 stadium in Conakry, Guinea.

The two finalists in Mauritania will book their tickets to the U20 Africa Cup of Nation 2023 held in Egypt from February 18 to 12 March.

A total of twelve teams qualify to play in the final tournament, including host Egypt.

The stage is set for the @a_wafu 2022 Zone A U20 Tournament in Mauritania. Starting on 28 August.

Sierra Leone U20 side will open their campaign against Mali at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya on Monday, August 29. #SaloneTwitter #AfricanFootball #FSLNews @ffrim pic.twitter.com/h2DbZbGUWJ

— @football_sierra (FSL Media) 🇸🇱 website (@football_sierra) August 25, 2022

The Les Aigles (The Eagles) of Mali played to a goalless draw against Guinea’s Syli National at the Modibo Keita Sports Stadium on Monday.

Both nations used the International test match as preparation for their second-round final CHAN qualifying doubleheaders against Sierra Leone and Senegal.

It was Mali’s third International friendly ahead of taking on Sierra Leone in the final qualifying contest first leg in Liberia on Saturday.

Malian national B team suffered a 1-0 defeat to Mauritania on August 15 before a one-all draw on the 18 in Nouakchott at the Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Stadium, respectively.

Sierra Leone will engage their Malian counterparts in the second round’s first leg at the Samuel Kanyon Doe stadium in Liberia on August 27. Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako will host the second leg on Saturday, 3rd September.

Stade du 26 Mars serves as a home ground for domestic football club Stade Malien.

The aggregate winner will qualify for the African Nations Championship billed to hold in Algeria in January 2023.

Ahead of Sierra Leone Chan's first leg, Mali share spoils with Guinea (0-0) at the Stade Omnisports Modibo-Keita on Monday.

Sierra Leone will host Mail in Liberia on Saturday in the race to Algeria 2023. #SaloneTwitter #AfricanFootball@femafoot @football_sierra pic.twitter.com/SGCxdOtgsQ

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) August 23, 2022