Sierra Leone head coach John Keister has named his 25-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations match day three and four against São Tomé Príncipe later this month.
Fourteen foreign-based and eleven home stars were announced this afternoon ahead of the trip to Morocco.
The 45,000 seater Grand Stade Adrar Agadir in Morocco will host both critical 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches.
Sitting third in Group A, Sierra Leone will resume action in the race to Ivory Coast 2023 against São Tomé and Príncipe on Wednesday 22nd, 2023, before the second leg on 26 in Morocco.
Included are Wigan Athletic defender Steven Caulker, who is the national skipper, Queens Park Rangers right-back Osman Kakay, Randers striker Alhaji Kamara, Milton Keynes Dons attacker Sullay Kaikai and Egaleo in the Greek second tier John Kamara.
No Cambuur’s skipper Alex Bangura, Shanghái Port’s winger Issa Kallon – the head coach has selected a group with a blend of youth and experience – the likes of Gateshead midfielder on loan from Middlesbrough Kamil Conteh, twin brothers Alhassan and Alusine Koroma, both trading in Primera División RFEF – Group 1 with RB Linense.
Another notable player left out is Malmö FF’s attacker Mohamed Buya Turay.
Sierra Leone staged a second-half comeback to share spoils with Guinea-Bissau in their matchday two 2023 Group A Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in the Guinean capital in June 2022.
Both West African nations played to a 2-2 draw, and as a result, Sierra Leone placed third in the group after their two opening games.
To regain qualification hopes, Sierra Leone must win both matches or at least secure four points against Central Africa’s opposition to having any chance of reaching Ivory Coast 2023.
These matches will be the sixth meeting between the two nations. Their last meeting was a goalless draw in Africa Cup of Nations 1st round 2nd leg Freetown 16 June 2012. Sao Tome e Principe won the first leg 2-1 at home on 29 February 2012.
This article was first published by FootballSierraLeone.com and related by kick442.com as an official media partner.
