Sierra Leone national football team

Sierra Leone
Nickname(s)	Leone Stars
Association	SLFA
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach	Amidu Karim
Captain	Osman Kakay
Most caps	Umaru Bangura (55)
Top scorer	Mohamed Kallon (8)
Home stadium	Freetown National Stadium
FIFA code	SLE
FIFA ranking
Current	129 (19 December 2024)
Highest	50 (August 2014)
Lowest	172 (September 2007)
First international
	Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria ; (Freetown, Sierra Leone; 10 August 1949)
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); Syria 6–0 Sierra Leone ; (Syria; 05 June 2009)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	3 (first in 1994)
Best result	Group 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

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

2024

6 January Friendly	Ivory Coast	5–1	Sierra Leone	San Pedro, Ivory Coast
17:00 UTC±0}	Diomande 18' Kessié 36' Bamba 38' Boga 48' Lazare 84'	Report	Michael 86'	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	En-Nesyri 30', 55' Boufal 35'	Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium

5 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Sierra Leone	2–1	Djibouti	El Jadida, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1	Davies 12' Kargbo 51'	Report	Dadzie 35' (pen.)	Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)

10 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Burkina Faso	2–2	Sierra Leone	Bamako, Mali
16:00 UTC±0	Ouattara 41' L. Traoré 45+2' (pen.)	Report	Kargbo 58' Bakayoko 88'	Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)

6 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Sierra Leone	0–0	Chad	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0		Report		Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Referee: George Gatogato (Burundi)

10 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Zambia	3–2	Sierra Leone	Ndola, Zambia
15:00 UTC+2	K. Musonda 28' Kampamba 70' Kangwa 85'	Report	Kargbo 33' Mustapha 73'	Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)

11 October 2025 AFCON qualification	Ivory Coast	4–1	Sierra Leone	San Pedro, Ivory Coast
19:00 UTC±0	Pépé 3' Kessié 51', 76' (pen.) Diakité 87' (pen.)	Report	Koroma 43'	Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 16,553 Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)

15 October 2025 AFCON qualification	Sierra Leone	1–0	Ivory Coast	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0	Bakayoko 85'	Report		Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Attendance: 7,408 Referee: Jeannot Franck Bito (Cameroon)

27 October 2024 CHAN qualification	Sierra Leone	1–2	Liberia	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0	Kalokoh 22'	Report	Kumeh 3' Kabia 58' (o.g.)	Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex

1 November 2024 CHAN qualification	Liberia	1–1 (3-2 agg.)	Sierra Leone	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0		Report		Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Note: Sierra Leone lost 3-2 on aggregate.

10 November 2025 AFCON qualification	Chad	1–1	Sierra Leone	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
18:00 UTC±0	Thiam 34' (pen.)	Report	Dumbuya 29'	Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium Referee: Jean Ouattara (Burkina Faso)

18 November 2025 AFCON qualification	Sierra Leone	0–2	Zambia	Paynesville, Liberia
15:00 UTC±0		Report	Banda 54' K. Musonda 71'	Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Referee: Yannick Malala (Congo DR)

Coaching history

Burkhard Pape (1966–1968)
Klaus Ebbighausen (1976–1978)
Warwick Rimmer (1979)
Christian Cole (1989)
Christian Cole (1991)
Raymond Zarpanelian (1993–1994)
Roger Palmgren (1996)
John Sherington (1996–1997)
Abdulai Sesay (1997–2000)
Dušan Drašković (2000)
Christian Cole (2001)
José Antonio Nogueira (2003)
John Sherington (2003–2006)
James Peters (2006–2007)
Mohamed Kanu (2007–2009)
Daniel Koroma (2009–2010)
Christian Cole (2010–2011)
Lars-Olof Mattsson (2011–2013)
Johnathan McKinstry (2013–2014)
Atto Mensah (2014)
John Ajina Sesay (2014–2015)
John Sherington (2015)
Sellas Tetteh (2015–2017)
John Keister (2017–2019)
Sellas Tetteh (2019–2020)
John Keister (2020–2023)
Amidu Karim (2023–)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2025 AFCON qualification matches against Ivory Coast on 11 and 15 October 2024.^[8]

Caps and goals are correct as of 10 September 2024, after the match against Zambia.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Mohamed Kamara	(1999-04-29) 29 April 1999 (age 25)	24	0	Horoya
23	1GK	Francis Koroma	(2000-05-15) 15 May 2000 (age 24)	2	0	East End Lions
16	1GK	Isaac Caulker	(1992-01-20) 20 January 1992 (age 32)	0	0	Kallon

19	2DF	Emmanuel Samadia	(2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 23)	21	0	Hartford Athletic
5	2DF	Steven Caulker	(1991-12-29) 29 December 1991 (age 32)	15	0	Málaga City
15	2DF	Abdoulie Jarjue Kabia	(2001-01-27) 27 January 2001 (age 23)	5	0	Hapoel Kfar Saba
3	2DF	Mohamed Bangura		0	0	Wilberforce Strikers
12	2DF	Nathaniel Jalloh	(2005-09-07) 7 September 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Kallon

10	3MF	Mustapha Bundu	(1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 27)	18	3	Plymouth Argyle
6	3MF	Alhassan Koroma	(1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 27)	18	1	Al Shahaniya
4	3MF	Abu Dumbuya	(1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 25)	16	0	Gençlik Gücü
11	3MF	Sullay Kaikai	(1995-08-26) 26 August 1995 (age 29)	16	1	Cambridge United
8	3MF	Alusine Koroma	(1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 27)	14	0	Orihuela
	3MF	Jonathan Morsay	(1997-10-05) 5 October 1997 (age 27)	11	1	AEL Limassol
18	3MF	Ibrahim Sillah	(1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 (age 29)	8	0	ACV
21	3MF	Rodney Michael	(1999-08-10) 10 August 1999 (age 25)	6	1	POX
17	3MF	Issa Kallon	(1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 (age 28)	5	0	Nantong Zhiyun
27	3MF	Hindolo Mustapha	(2006-07-29) 29 July 2006 (age 18)	2	1	Crystal Palace
14	3MF	Tyrese Fornah	(1999-09-11) 11 September 1999 (age 25)	1	0	Salford City
22	3MF	Momoh Kamara	(2005-05-06) 6 May 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Leixões

	3MF	Augustus Kargbo	(1999-08-24) 24 August 1999 (age 25)	19	5	Cesena
9	4FW	Amadou Bakayoko	(1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 28)	12	3	Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
	4FW	Daniel Kanu	(2004-11-14) 14 November 2004 (age 20)	5	0	Charlton Athletic
	4FW	Josh Koroma	(1998-11-09) 9 November 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Huddersfield Town
2	4FW	Nabieu Navas Daffae		0	0	Luawa

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	Donald Kamara	(2002-07-16) 16 July 2002 (age 22)	1	0	East End Lions	v. Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
GK	Abu Bakar Kamara	(2004-01-28) 28 January 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Kallon	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
GK	Ibrahim Sesay	(2004-10-18) 18 October 2004 (age 20)	13	0	Bo Rangers	v. Egypt, 19 November 2023

DF	Yeami Dunia	(1996-12-16) 16 December 1996 (age 28)	31	0	Old Edwardians	v. Zambia, 10 September 2024
DF	Osman Kakay	(1997-08-25) 25 August 1997 (age 27)	26	0	Queens Park Rangers	v. Zambia, 10 September 2024
DF	Saidu Mansaray	(2001-02-21) 21 February 2001 (age 23)	8	0	Bo Rangers	v. Zambia, 10 September 2024
DF	Mohamed Kabia	(2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 21)	4	0	Mbabane Swallows	v. Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF	Yusuf Sesay	(2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 23)	2	0	Bo Rangers	v. Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF	Curtis Davies	(1985-03-15) 15 March 1985 (age 39)	3	1	Cheltenham Town	v. Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF	Juma Bah	(2006-04-11) 11 April 2006 (age 18)	0	0	Freetownian SLIFA	v. Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF	Abu Bakarr Samura	(1995-08-10) 10 August 1995 (age 29)	16	1	Bo Rangers	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
DF	Santigie Koroma	(2003-11-27) 27 November 2003 (age 21)	2	0	LISCR	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
DF	Abu Bakarr Barrie	(1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 25)	0	0	Diamond Stars	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
DF	Edward Bello Yillah	(1996-10-04) 4 October 1996 (age 28)	0	0	Mighty Blackpool	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024

MF	Saidu Fofanah	(1997-09-14) 14 September 1997 (age 27)	13	1	Kallon	v. Zambia, 10 September 2024
MF	Kamil Conteh	(2002-12-26) 26 December 2002 (age 21)	11	0	Bristol Rovers	v. Zambia, 10 September 2024
MF	Alpha Conteh	(2000-05-01) 1 May 2000 (age 24)	4	0	Neftçi	v. Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
MF	Kwame Quee	(1996-09-07) 7 September 1996 (age 28)	35	3	Grindavík	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF	Saidu Bah Kamara	(2002-03-03) 3 March 2002 (age 22)	8	0	Bo Rangers	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF	Ibrahim Turay	(1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 25)	7	0	Bo Rangers	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF	Alpha Turay	(2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 19)	4	0	Kallon	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF	Samuel Bekoe	(1997-08-24) 24 August 1997 (age 27)	3	0	East End Lions	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF	Mohamed Fofanah	(1998-09-08) 8 September 1998 (age 26)	1	0	Kallon	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF	Adebayor Black		0	0	Bhantal	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF	Joseph Cleveland	(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Ports Authority	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
MF	Mohamed Buya Turay	(1995-01-10) 10 January 1995 (age 29)	17	3	Birmingham Legion	v. Egypt, 19 November 2023

FW	Musa Noah Kamara	(1999-08-06) 6 August 1999 (age 25)	14	3	Bo Rangers	v. Zambia, 10 September 2024
FW	Sallieu Bah	(2006-09-10) 10 September 2006 (age 18)	5	0	Wilberforce Strikers	v. Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
FW	Alie Conteh	(2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 22)	8	2	Kallon	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
FW	Abu Komeh	(2001-05-21) 21 May 2001 (age 23)	4	2	Bo Rangers	v. Morocco, 11 January 2024
FW	Alhaji Kamara	(1994-04-16) 16 April 1994 (age 30)	17	5	Randers	v. Egypt, 19 November 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 2024^[9]

Players in bold are still active with Sierra Leone.

Most 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	Kwame Quee	35	3	2012–present
7	Medo Kamara	33	1	2008–2021
8	Julius Wobay	32	4	2001–2018
8	Yeami Dunia	32	0	2012–present
10	Ibrahim Kargbo	30	1	2000–2013

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	19	0.26	2012–present
4	Augustus Kargbo	5	21	0.24	2021–present
6	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	32	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
1962 and 1966	Not affiliated to CAF								Not affiliated to CAF
1970	Did not enter								Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify								2	0	0	2	0	3
1978									4	1	1	2	8	9
1982									2	0	1	1	3	5
1986									2	0	0	2	0	5
1990	Did not enter								Did not enter
1994	Withdrew								Withdrew
1998	Did not qualify								2	0	0	2	0	2
2002									10	2	1	7	6	17
2006									2	0	1	1	1	2
2010									8	3	2	3	5	8
2014									6	2	2	2	10	10
2018									2	1	0	1	2	2
2022									2	1	0	1	2	3
2026	To be determined								4	1	2	1	4	5
2030									To be determined
2034									To be determined
Total		0/16							46	11	10	25	41	71

Africa Cup of Nations

Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad
1962	Not affiliated to CAF
1963
1965
1968	Did not enter
1970	Withdrew
1972	Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify
1976	Did not enter
1978	Did not qualify
1980	Did not enter
1982	Did not qualify
1984	Did not qualify
1986	Withdrew
1988	Did not qualify
1990	Withdrew
1992	Did not qualify
1994	Round 1	10th	2	0	1	1	0	4	Squad
1996	Round 1	13th	3	1	0	2	2	7	Squad
1998	Withdrew
2000	Disqualified due to civil war
2002	Did not qualify
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2013
2015
2017
2019	Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
2021	Group stage	18th	3	0	2	1	2	3	Squad
2023	Did not qualify
2025	Did not qualify
2027	To be determined
2029	To be determined
Total	0 titles	3/34	8	1	3	4	4	14	—

Coaching staff

Head coach	Amidu Karim
Assistant coach	Alusine Sesay
Assistant coach	Amara Rahman Bangura
Sport therapist	Abdulay Sesay
Head of medical	Osman Fofanah
Team manager	Abdulai Kargbo

Honours

Regional

Amílcar Cabral Cup
- Champions (2): 1993, 1995
- Runners-up (2): 1984, 1986

References

^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
^ 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.
^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "Ebola affecting Sierra Leone team – Michael Lahoud". BBC Sport. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
^ "The land where football is religion". FIFATV. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021 – via YouTube.
^ "Final Squad". Facebook. Sierra Leone Football Association.
^ "Sierra Leone". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

Sources

Sierra Leone to 'host' the Elephants of Ivory Coast in Abidjan – footballsierraleone.net (archived 5 March 2016)
Sierra Leone 1–1 Malawi: International Friendly – footballsierraleone.net (archived 5 April 2016)

External links

Football Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone Football Association
Sierra Leone at CAF
Sierra Leone at FIFA
Sierra Leone at National-Football-Teams.com

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 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.

[World_Football_Elo_Ratings-3] Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 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.

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v t e National football teams of Africa (CAF)
North Africa (UNAF)	Algeria Egypt Libya Morocco Tunisia
West Africa (WAFU)	Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
East Africa (CECAFA)	Burundi Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zanzibar¹
Central Africa (UNIFFAC)	Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo DR Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon São Tomé and Príncipe
Southern Africa (COSAFA)	Angola Botswana Comoros Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
Non-regional Members	Réunion¹
¹ Regional team, an associate member of CAF but not a member of FIFA Football in Africa portal