As teams gear up for the qualifying rounds, all eyes are on the upcoming match between Sierra Leone and Nigeria, where the Leone Stars are set to unleash 12 foreign-based professionals in their bid to secure a spot in the tournament.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is fast approaching, and the excitement is already building among football fans across the continent.
The upcoming match on June 18th at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in Liberia is of great importance to the Leone Stars. They suffered a 2-1 loss against Nigeria in their last encounter on June 9th, 2022 in Abuja.
The Leone Stars have selected foreign-based players such as Idriss Kanu from Barnet, Alhaji Kamara from Randers, and Augustine Williams from Charleston Battery, providing them with strong attacking options.
However, Sierra Leone’s head coach, John Keister, is facing the absence of crucial players, including Osman Kakay from Queens Park Rangers and Alex Bangura from Cambuur.
In addition, leading goalscorer Jonathan Morsay is unable to participate in the return leg due to injury, and Alhassan Koroma, a midfielder based in Spain, is suspended after receiving two bookings in previous games.
Despite being a major doubt due to injury, experienced skipper Steven Caulker has been included in the list of players. In light of these absences, Coach Keister has invited twenty-six talented local players to supplement the foreign-based players.
Nigeria, three-time African champions, need a victory in one of their remaining group matches to secure their place at the next edition of the continental championship. Sierra Leonens are aware of the challenge they face against the Super Eagles, who are expected to field their strongest lineup against them.
However, the official list of players that Nigeria’s head coach, Jose Peseiro, intends to deploy for the match has not been disclosed yet.
