By Alpha Abu
The country’s national football team, Leone Stars finally bowed out of the AfCON tournament after a spirited performance in their last group stage match against Equatorial Guinea played at the Omnisport Stadium in Limbe, Cameroon on Thursday 20th January 2022. Pablo Ganet scored what turned out to be the only goal of the match.
It was also a cruel exit for the Stars after Captain Kei Ansu Kamara missed a crucial penalty in the closing stages play that could have seen Sierra Leone through to the knockout stage of the competition, as one of the best third- placed teams, had he converted and levelled the score line at the end of play. The other group match had ended 4-i in favour of Ivory Coast against defending champions Algeria who ignominiously went out. It was all quiet across Sierra Leone as the referee blew his final whistle, in complete contrast to the scenes after the country’s first two matches against defending Champions Algeria and the star- studded Ivory Coast, earlier in the tournament.
Leone Stars making their third appearance at the continent’s most celebrated tournament after some 25 years absence, had up to the final game, gone unbeaten, drawing against Algeria and Ivory Coast. They defied sceptics notching draws against their two opponents brimming with well-known footballers playing in the top leagues in Europe. The Algerians were denied victory by goalkeeper Mohamed N. Kamara who earned praises for his heroics, a display that got him the Man of the Match award. The end of the first two games saw euphoric scenes across the country as Sierra Leoneans poured out into the streets in celebration. It was on that basis Leone Stars went into their final group game with the country fully behind them.
A bitter exit and opinion has since been divided as to what was responsible for the defeat. Whilst some commended the Leone Stars captain for his contribution to the team, drawing reference to his well –taken penalty that earned us qualification for this AfCON; others though have been somehow critical that he played fulltime in all of the matches in this tourney, substituted only once. His critics say his pace and strength of yester years had gone and should have been introduced on a part time role. But he’s got experience and that showed when he stopped almost on the goal line a ball during the game with the Ivorians.
Others have from the beginning of the tournament, also questioned Coach John Keister’s team selection and timing in substituting players, and accused him of showing too much reliance on ageing players who offered very little whilst he kept gifted and promising youngsters on the bench.
Criticisms were also directed at the midfield players who many believed showed no creativity and left the players upfront, isolated.
Steven Caulker, switching allegiance to the land of his grandfather showed outstanding leadership and very impressive displays at the back for Leone Stars. Also new boy Issa Kallon captured a lot of attention when introduced late on, against Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea. Such was his pace and direct play that he was brought down by scorer Garnet in the closing stages of play to earn the penalty which Kei missed.
As could be expected, the post-match mixed bag of recriminations and verdict inundated social media immediately with commentators putting their varied arguments across. Beyond that, it was a quiet Thursday evening across Sierra Leone because of the much-anticipated partying that never was. On the whole it was a still a dignified exit and for which the positives must be built on as the next Afcon is not far away. The truth though is that a good number of the regulars in Leone Stars should make way for a rebuilding process in which the likes of Issa Kallon, Sulaiman Kaikai, led by the experienced Caulker can form the nucleus of a refreshed Leone Stars to take us forward. Support for the team must be kept alive, as this AfCON got the world to notice that Sierra Leone is back and with better prospects for a long and better impression in football at international level.
Copyright © 2022 Politico (21/01/22)
