This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (June 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Sierra Leone
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Leone Stars
AssociationSLFA
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachAmidu Karim
CaptainOsman Kakay
Most capsUmaru Bangura (55)
Top scorerMohamed Kallon (8)
Home stadiumFreetown National Stadium
FIFA codeSLE
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 126 Increase 1 (15 February 2024)[1]
Highest50 (August 2014)
Lowest172 (September 2007)
First international
Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 10 August 1949)[2]
Biggest win
 Sierra Leone 5–1 Niger 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 7 March 1976)
 Sierra Leone 5–1 Niger 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 3 June 1995)
 Sierra Leone 4–0 São Tomé and Príncipe 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 22 April 2000)
Biggest defeat
 Mali 6–0 Sierra Leone 
(Bamako, Mali; 17 June 2007)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances3 (first in 1994)
Best resultGroup stage (1994, 1996, 2021)

The Sierra Leone national football team represents Sierra Leone in association football and is governed by the Sierra Leone Football Association. It has qualified for Africa Cup of Nations three times.

History

Sierra Leone's first match was at home on 10 August 1949 against another British colony, Nigeria, and was lost 2–0. In 1954 it played another British colony and British administered U.N trust territory, Gold Coast and Trans-Volta Togoland, and lost 2–0 away. On 22 April 1961, it hosted Nigeria and lost 4–2. On 12 November 1966, it hosted Liberia in its first match against a non-British colony and earned its first draw, 1–1. A week later, it lost 2–0 in Liberia. On 13 January 1971, it played its first match against a non-African team, West Germany's B-team. The match in Sierra Leone was won 1–0 by the Germans. Sierra Leone's first match outside Africa was its first against an Asian nation, China. It lost 4–1 in China on 5 April 1974.[4]

In August 2014, Sierra Leone FA cancelled all association football matches in an effort to stop the spread of the 2014 Ebola virus epidemic in Sierra Leone, a week after Liberian FA did the same.[5] Sierra Leonean players playing outside Sierra Leone, such as Michael Lahoud playing in the United States, were discriminated against, with opposition players refusing to swap shirts, shake hands and allow them to certain places of the stadium because they fear that they could be carrying the disease.[6] The Sierra Leonean national team wasn't allowed to play home games and all players had to be foreign-based.[7]

Results and fixtures

Main article: Sierra Leone national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

22 March 2023 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone  2–2  São Tomé and Príncipe Agadir, Morocco
18:00 UTC±0
  • Bundu 48'
  • Komeh 78'
 Report
Stadium: Adrar Stadium
Referee: Mawabwe Bodjona (Togo)
26 March 2023 AFCON qualification São Tomé and Príncipe  0–2  Sierra Leone Agadir, Morocco
16:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Adrar Stadium
Referee: Jean Philippe Vlei Patrick Tanguy (DR Congo)
18 June 2023 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone  2–3  Nigeria Monrovia, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Referee: Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)
11 September 2023 AFCON qualification Guinea-Bissau  2–1  Sierra Leone Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
16:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Estádio 24 de Setembro
Referee: Boubou Traoré (Mali)
17 October Friendly Benin  1–1  Sierra Leone
15 November 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Ethiopia  0–0  Sierra Leone El Jadida, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Stade El Abdi
Attendance: 50
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
19 November 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Sierra Leone  0–2  Egypt Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Attendance: 8,916
Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo (DR Congo)

2024

6 January Friendly Ivory Coast  5–1  Sierra Leone San Pedro, Ivory Coast
17:00 UTC±0}
Report
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
Referee: Dedjinnanchi Ahomlanto (Benin)
11 January Friendly Sierra Leone  1–3  Morocco San Pedro, Ivory Coast
15:00 UTC±0
  • Komeh 10'
 Report
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Morocco on 6 and 11 January 2024.[8]

Caps and goals are correct as of 6 January 2024, after the match against  Ivory Coast.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Donald Kamara (2002-07-16) 16 July 2002 (age 21) 1 0 Sierra Leone East End Lions
1GK Francis Koroma (2000-05-15) 15 May 2000 (age 23) 1 0 Sierra Leone East End Lions
1GK Abu Bakar Kamara (2004-01-28) 28 January 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Sierra Leone Kallon
2DF Emmanuel Samadia (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 22) 16 0 Israel Hapoel Rishon LeZion
2DF Abu Bakarr Samura (1995-08-10) 10 August 1995 (age 28) 15 1 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
2DF Saidu Mansaray (2001-02-21) 21 February 2001 (age 23) 8 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
2DF Santigie Koroma (2003-11-27) 27 November 2003 (age 20) 1 0 Sierra Leone LISCR
2DF Yusuf Sesay (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 22) 1 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
2DF Abu Bakarr Barrie (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 24) 0 0 Sierra Leone Diamond Stars
2DF Edward Bello Yillah (1996-10-04) 4 October 1996 (age 27) 0 0 Sierra Leone Mighty Blackpool
3MF Kwame Quee (1996-09-07) 7 September 1996 (age 27) 34 3 Sierra Leone Old Edwardians
3MF Abu Dumbuya (1985-01-29) 29 January 1985 (age 39) 13 0 Sierra Leone Freetownian SLIFA
3MF Saidu Bah Kamara (2002-03-03) 3 March 2002 (age 21) 7 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
3MF Ibrahim Turay (1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 24) 6 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
3MF Sallieu Bah (2006-09-10) 10 September 2006 (age 17) 5 0 Sierra Leone Wilberforce Strikers
3MF Alpha Turay (2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 18) 4 0 Sierra Leone Kallon
3MF Samuel Bekoe (1997-08-24) 24 August 1997 (age 26) 3 0 Sierra Leone East End Lions
3MF Mohamed Fofanah (1998-09-08) 8 September 1998 (age 25) 1 0 Sierra Leone Kallon
3MF Adebayor Black 0 0 Sierra Leone Bhantal
3MF Joseph Cleveland (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Sierra Leone Ports Authority
4FW Alie Conteh (2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 21) 8 2 Sierra Leone Kallon
4FW Abu Komeh (2001-05-21) 21 May 2001 (age 22) 3 1 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers
4FW Rodney Michael (1999-08-10) 10 August 1999 (age 24) 2 1 Cyprus POX

Recent call-ups

The following players had been called up in 12 months preceding the above draft.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Mohamed Kamara (1999-04-29) 29 April 1999 (age 24) 20 0 Guinea Horoya v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
GK Ibrahim Sesay (2004-10-18) 18 October 2004 (age 19) 13 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
GK Saidu F Kamara (1996-11-20) 20 November 1996 (age 27) 0 0 Sierra Leone Mighty Blackpool v.  São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
DF Juma Bah (2006-04-11) 11 April 2006 (age 17) 0 0 Sierra Leone Freetownian SLIFA v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
DF Osman Kakay (1997-08-25) 25 August 1997 (age 26) 22 0 England Queens Park Rangers v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
DF Lamin Conteh (1994-12-15) 15 December 1994 (age 29) 10 0 Sierra Leone Johansen v.  Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
DF Steven Caulker (1991-12-29) 29 December 1991 (age 32) 13 0 Spain Málaga City v.  Nigeria, 18 June 2023
DF Daniel Francis (2002-07-10) 10 July 2002 (age 21) 2 0 Germany KFC Uerdingen 05 v.  Nigeria, 18 June 2023
DF Edward Fornah (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 24) 0 0 Sierra Leone Luawa v.  Nigeria, 18 June 2023
DF Eshiek Kamara (1998-12-16) 16 December 1998 (age 25) 0 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
DF John Kamara (1988-05-12) 12 May 1988 (age 35) 26 1 Greece Egaleo v.  São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
MF Mohamed Buya Turay (1995-01-10) 10 January 1995 (age 29) 17 3 United States Birmingham Legion v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
MF Tyrese Fornah (1999-09-11) 11 September 1999 (age 24) 1 0 England Derby County v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
MF Alusine Koroma (2000-06-09) 9 June 2000 (age 23) 10 0 Qatar Al-Shahaniya v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
MF Saidu Fofanah (1997-09-14) 14 September 1997 (age 26) 13 1 Sierra Leone Kallon v.  Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
MF Mamadou Saidou Sow (1999-08-19) 19 August 1999 (age 24) 0 0 Spain Fortuna v.  Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
MF Mohamed Billoh Kabba (2004-11-26) 26 November 2004 (age 19) 0 0 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
MF Kamil Conteh (2002-12-26) 26 December 2002 (age 21) 8 0 England Grimsby Town v.  Nigeria, 18 June 2023
MF Prince Barrie (1997-08-18) 18 August 1997 (age 26) 14 1 Sierra Leone East End Lions v.  Nigeria, 18 June 2023
MF Mohamed Kamara (1987-11-16) 16 November 1987 (age 36) 33 2 Sierra Leone East End Lions v.  São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
MF Ballie Kamara (1997-01-29) 29 January 1997 (age 27) 0 0 Sierra Leone F.C. Johansen v.  São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
MF Alhassan Koroma (2000-06-09) 9 June 2000 (age 23) 15 1 Spain Linense v.  São Tomé and Príncipe, 26 March 2023
FW Amadou Bakayoko (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 28) 10 2 Scotland Dundee v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
FW Sullay Kaikai (1995-08-26) 26 August 1995 (age 28) 13 1 England Cambridge United v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
FW Alhaji Kamara (1994-04-16) 16 April 1994 (age 29) 17 5 Denmark Randers v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
FW Daniel Kanu (2004-11-14) 14 November 2004 (age 19) 1 0 England Charlton Athletic v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
FW Augustus Kargbo (1999-08-24) 24 August 1999 (age 24) 15 2 Italy Cesena v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
FW Jonathan Morsay (1997-10-05) 5 October 1997 (age 26) 10 1 Cyprus AEL Limassol v.  Egypt, 19 November 2023
FW Augustine Williams (1997-08-03) 3 August 1997 (age 26) 7 0 United States Indy Eleven v.  Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
FW Ron Gandi Williams (1998-09-08) 8 September 1998 (age 25) 3 0 Sierra Leone Mighty Blackpool v.  Guinea-Bissau, 11 September 2023
FW Mustapha Bundu (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 26) 14 3 England Plymouth Argyle v.  Nigeria, 18 June 2023
FW Musa Kamara (1999-08-06) 6 August 1999 (age 24) 12 3 Sierra Leone Bo Rangers v.  Nigeria, 18 June 2023
FW Idris Kanu (1999-12-05) 5 December 1999 (age 24) 2 0 England Barnet v.  Nigeria, 18 June 2023
FW Santigie Sesay (2000-12-19) 19 December 2000 (age 23) 0 0 Unknown v.  Nigeria, 18 June 2023
Notes

INJ Withdrew due to injury.
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Had announced retirement from international association football.
SUS Is serving a suspension.
PRI Absent due to private circumstances.
WD Withdrawn.

Records

As of 19 November 2023[9]
Players in bold are still active with Sierra Leone.

Most appearances

Umaru Bangura is Sierra Leone's most capped player with 55 appearances.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Umaru Bangura 55 4 2006–2022
2 Ibrahim Bah 45 3 1986–1998
3 Mohamed Kallon 40 8 1995–2012
4 Kei Kamara 39 7 2008–2022
5 Sheriff Suma 37 3 2006–2015
6 Medo Kamara 33 1 2008–2021
Kwame Quee 33 3 2012–present
8 Julius Wobay 32 4 2001–2018
9 Ibrahim Kargbo 30 1 2000–2013
10 Yeami Dunia 29 0 2012–present

Top goalscorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Mohamed Kallon 8 40 0.2 1995–2012
2 Kei Kamara 7 39 0.18 2008–2022
3 Lamine Conteh 6 20 0.3 1993–2006
4 Alhaji Kamara 5 17 0.29 2012–present
5 Teteh Bangura 4 12 0.33 2011–2014
Alhassan Kamara 4 16 0.25 2012–2018
Abu Kanu 4 16 0.25 1994–2003
Mustapha Bangura 4 17 0.24 2005–2016
Julius Wobay 4 31 0.13 2001–2018
Umaru Bangura 4 55 0.07 2006–2022

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Chile 1962 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
England 1966
Mexico 1970 Did not enter Did not enter
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 3
Argentina 1978 4 1 1 2 8 9
Spain 1982 2 0 1 1 3 5
Mexico 1986 2 0 0 2 0 5
Italy 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
United States 1994 Withdrew Withdrew
France 1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 2
South Korea Japan 2002 10 2 1 7 6 17
Germany 2006 2 0 1 1 1 2
South Africa 2010 8 3 2 3 5 8
Brazil 2014 6 2 2 2 10 10
Russia 2018 2 1 0 1 2 2
Qatar 2022 2 1 0 1 2 3
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 1 0 1 0 0 0
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/25 43 10 9 24 37 66

Africa Cup of Nations

Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Ethiopia 1962 Not affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965
Ethiopia 1968 Did not enter
Sudan 1970 Withdrew
Cameroon 1972 Did not enter
Egypt 1974 Did not qualify
Ethiopia 1976 Did not enter
Ghana 1978 Did not qualify
Nigeria 1980 Did not enter
Libya 1982 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 1984
Egypt 1986 Withdrew
Morocco 1988 Did not qualify
Algeria 1990 Withdrew
Senegal 1992 Did not qualify
Tunisia 1994 Round 1 10th 2 0 1 1 0 4 Squad
South Africa 1996 Round 1 13th 3 1 0 2 2 7 Squad
Burkina Faso 1998 Withdrew
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Disqualified due to civil war
Mali 2002 Did not qualify
Tunisia 2004
Egypt 2006
Ghana 2008
Angola 2010
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012
South Africa 2013
Equatorial Guinea 2015
Gabon 2017
Egypt 2019 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
Cameroon 2021 Group stage 18th 3 0 2 1 2 3 Squad
Ivory Coast 2023 Did not qualify
Morocco 2025 To be determined
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027
Total 0 titles 3/36 8 1 3 4 4 14 —

Coaching staff

Head coach Sierra Leone Amidu Karim
Assistant coach Sierra Leone Francis Koroma
Assistant coach Sierra Leone Alhaji Foray
Sport therapist Belgium Joris De Vos
Head of medical Sierra Leone Songor Koedoyoma
Team manager Sierra Leone Ibrahim Swarray

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  2. ^ Courtney, Barrie (15 August 2006). "Sierra Leone – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Sierra Leone – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 19 November 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Sierra Leone suspends football matches as Ebola virus spreads". The Independent. 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Ebola affecting Sierra Leone team – Michael Lahoud". BBC Sport. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  7. ^ "The land where football is religion". FIFATV. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "Final Squad". Facebook. Sierra Leone Football Association.
  9. ^ "Sierra Leone". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

Sources

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sierra Leone national football team.
National and regional football teams of Africa (CAF)
West African Football Union
Categories