By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Head Coach John Edward Keister has named a provisional squad of 38 players for Leone Stars in the upcoming Total Energies African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 qualifiers against Nigeria to be played at the Samuel Kanyon Doe sports complex in Monrovia, Liberia.
The match is scheduled for the 18th June, 2023.
He selected 26 home-based players and 12 foreign-based who will train in Bo.
Coach Keister will travel to Liberia without key regular players like midfield anchor-man John Kamara, Greek Super League club Panetolikos winger Jonathan Morsay, London- based QPR right-back Osman Kakay, Eredivisie side SC Cambuur skipper Alex Bangura, Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port winger Issa Kallon, former MK Dons winger Sullay Kaikai and Spanish side Real Balompedica Linense winger Alhassan Bangura.
The team’s skipper, Steven R. Caulker who was doubtful for the match due to an injury he sustained while playing for his club side Wigan Athletic in the English Football League was however selected to lead the squad against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The match is a must-win one for Leone stars, or they could face the risk of not qualifying for the tournament in Ivory Coast.
Leone Stars drew against Guinea Bissau on the 13th June, 2022and Sao Tome & Principe 22nd March, 2023 in the first leg, but defeated Sao Tome two nil in the second leg on the 26th March, 2023.The Sierra Leone national team has already secured five points with a goal difference of plus one behind Guinea Bissau with seven and Nigeria nine.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (07/06/23)
