Sierra Leone national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sierra Leone

Nickname(s)	Leone Stars
Association	SLFA
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach	Mohamed Kallon
Captain	Osman Kakay
Most caps	Umaru Bangura (55)
Top scorer	Mohamed Kallon (8)
Home stadium	Freetown National Stadium
FIFA code	SLE
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	114 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest	50 (August 2014)
Lowest	172 (September 2007)
Elo ranking
Current	115 1 (3 March 2019)
Highest	59 (15 January 1996)
Lowest	156 (7 June 2008)
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, also known as the Leone Stars, plays for Sierra Leone in association football. The team is managed by the Sierra Leone Football Association. They have played in the Africa Cup of Nations three times.

History of the Leone Stars

Sierra Leone played its first football match on August 10, 1949. They played against Nigeria at home in Freetown and lost 2–0. In 1954, they played against Gold Coast and lost again.

Their first draw came on November 12, 1966, against Liberia. The score was 1–1. On January 13, 1971, they played their first game against a team from outside Africa. This was against West Germany's B-team, and Sierra Leone lost 1–0.

In August 2014, the Sierra Leone Football Association stopped all football matches. This was done to help control the spread of a serious health situation. Players from Sierra Leone who played in other countries sometimes faced unfair treatment. Other players did not want to swap shirts or shake hands. This was because they were worried about the health situation. The national team could not play home games during this time. All players had to be based outside Sierra Leone.

Recent Matches and Schedule

Here are the results from the last year and upcoming games.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

Sierra Leone  v  Djibouti

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

Burkina Faso  v  Sierra Leone

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.)		Kargbo  58' Bakayoko  88'	Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)

Sierra Leone  v  Chad

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

Zambia  v  Sierra Leone

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

Ivory Coast  v  Sierra Leone

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.)		Koroma  43'	Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 16,553 Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)

Sierra Leone  v  Ivory Coast

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

Sierra Leone  v  Liberia

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

Liberia  v  Sierra Leone

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

Chad  v  Sierra Leone

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

Sierra Leone  v  Zambia

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

2025 Matches

Sierra Leone  v  Guinea-Bissau

20 March 2026 World Cup qualification	Sierra Leone	3–1	Guinea-Bissau	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0	Bundu  19' Mu. Kamara  61' I. Turay  90+6'		Monteiro  68'	Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Referee: Daniel Nii Laryea (Ghana)

Egypt  v  Sierra Leone

25 March 2026 World Cup qualification	Egypt	1–0	Sierra Leone	Cairo, Egypt
21:00 UTC+2				Stadium: Cairo International Stadium

Guinea-Bissau  v  Sierra Leone

September 2026 World Cup qualification

Guinea-Bissau

v

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone  v  Ethiopia

September 2026 World Cup qualification

Sierra Leone

v

Ethiopia

Sierra Leone  v  Burkina Faso

October 2026 World Cup qualification

Sierra Leone

v

Burkina Faso

Djibouti  v  Sierra Leone

October 2026 World Cup qualification

Djibouti

v

Sierra Leone

Team Coaches

Roger Palmgren was a manager for Sierra Leone in the 1990s.

Many coaches have led the Sierra Leone national football team over the years. They come from different countries. These coaches help the team improve their skills. They also plan strategies for games.

• Burkhard Pape (1966–1968)
• Klaus Ebbighausen (1976–1978)
• Warwick Rimmer (1979)
• Christian Cole (1989)
• Christian Cole (1991)
• Raymond Zarpanelian (1993–1994)
• Roger Palmgren (1994–1996)
• 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–)

Current Players

This section lists the players who were chosen for the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group A matches. These games were against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt in March 2025.

The number of games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of March 25, 2025, after the match against Egypt.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Francis Koroma	(2000-05-15) 15 May 2000 (age 25)	6	0	East End Lions
	1GK	Alhaji Sesay	(1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Bhantal
	1GK	Dauda Bangura	(2006-10-16) 16 October 2006 (age 18)	0	0	East End Lions
	2DF	Emmanuel Samadia	(2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 24)	26	0	Hartford Athletic
	2DF	Nathaniel Jalloh	(2005-09-07) 7 September 2005 (age 19)	8	0	Kallon
	2DF	Juma Bah	(2006-04-11) 11 April 2006 (age 19)	2	0	Lens
	2DF	Sitta Bah	(2006-04-27) 27 April 2006 (age 19)	0	0	Star Sport
	2DF	Edward Bello Yillah	(2006-11-17) 17 November 2006 (age 18)	0	0	Mighty Blackpool
	2DF	David Janneh	(1993-06-26) 26 June 1993 (age 32)	0	0	Kallon
	3MF	Abu Dumbuya	(1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 26)	21	1	Oulu
	3MF	Ibrahim Turay	(1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 26)	10	1	Bo Rangers
	3MF	Tyrese Fornah	(1999-09-11) 11 September 1999 (age 25)	8	0	Salford City
	3MF	Alpha Turay	(2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 20)	6	0	Dubočica
	3MF	Momoh Dumbuya	(2004-02-14) 14 February 2004 (age 21)	2	1	Kallon
	3MF	Momoh Kamara	(2005-05-06) 6 May 2005 (age 20)	2	0	Free agent
	3MF	Hassan Milla Koroma	(2000-11-07) 7 November 2000 (age 24)	2	1	Kallon
	3MF	John Bilili Sesay		1	0	Bhantal
	4FW	Kei Kamara	(1984-09-01) 1 September 1984 (age 40)	42	7	Free agent
	4FW	Mustapha Bundu	(1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 28)	22	4	Plymouth Argyle
	4FW	Alhassan Koroma	(1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 28)	22	2	Al Shahaniya
	4FW	Musa Noah Kamara	(1999-08-06) 6 August 1999 (age 26)	16	4	Bo Rangers
	4FW	Alie Conteh	(2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 22)	11	2	Mjøndalen
	4FW	Sallieu Tarawallie	(1995-01-03) 3 January 1995 (age 30)	8	1	Kallon
	4FW	Mohamed Bangura	(2004-03-19) 19 March 2004 (age 21)	3	0	Wilberforce Strikers
	4FW	James Kaiyamba		0	0	Star Sport

Other Players Called Up Recently

These players were also called up for the team in the 12 months before the current squad was chosen.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Mohamed Kamara	(1999-04-29) 29 April 1999 (age 26)	25	0	Horoya	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
GK	Isaac Caulker	(1992-01-20) 20 January 1992 (age 33)	2	0	Kallon	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
GK	Donald Kamara	(2002-07-16) 16 July 2002 (age 23)	1	0	East End Lions	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF	Steven Caulker	(1991-12-29) 29 December 1991 (age 33)	18	0	Ankara Keçiörengücü	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
DF	Abdul Jarju Kabia	(2001-01-27) 27 January 2001 (age 24)	8	0	FC Dynamo Brest	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
DF	Yeami Dunia	(1996-12-16) 16 December 1996 (age 28)	34	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 24)	8	0	Bo Rangers	v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
DF	Mohamed Kabia	(2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 22)	4	0	Mbabane Swallows	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF	Yusuf Sesay	(2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 24)	4	0	Bo Rangers	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF	Curtis Davies	(1985-03-15) 15 March 1985 (age 40)	3	1	Cheltenham Town	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
MF	Sullay Kaikai	(1995-08-26) 26 August 1995 (age 29)	20	1	Cambridge United	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Alusine Koroma	(1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 28)	17	0	Orihuela	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Jonathan Morsay	(1997-10-05) 5 October 1997 (age 27)	11	1	Panionios	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Ibrahim Sillah	(1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 (age 30)	11	0	ACV	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Issa Kallon	(1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 (age 29)	9	0	Nantong Zhiyun	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Rodney Michael	(1999-08-10) 10 August 1999 (age 26)	8	1	POX	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Hindolo Mustapha	(2006-07-29) 29 July 2006 (age 19)	3	1	Crystal Palace	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 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 22)	11	0	Bristol Rovers	v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
MF	Alpha Conteh	(2000-05-01) 1 May 2000 (age 25)	4	0	Neftçi	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
FW	Augustus Kargbo	(1999-08-24) 24 August 1999 (age 25)	21	5	Blackburn Rovers	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
FW	Amadou Bakayoko	(1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 29)	16	4	Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
FW	Daniel Kanu	(2004-11-14) 14 November 2004 (age 20)	5	0	Charlton Athletic	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
FW	Josh Koroma	(1998-11-09) 9 November 1998 (age 26)	3	0	Huddersfield Town	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
FW	Nabieu Navas Daffae		1	0	Luawa	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
FW	Sallieu Bah	(2006-09-10) 10 September 2006 (age 18)	5	0	Wilberforce Strikers	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024

Team Records

Here are some records for the Sierra Leone national football team. Players whose names are in bold are still playing for Sierra Leone.

Most Games Played

Umaru Bangura has played the most games for Sierra Leone.

Top Goal Scorers

Competitive History

FIFA World Cup

Sierra Leone has tried to qualify for the FIFA World Cup many times. They have not yet made it to the main tournament.

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									7	2	1	4	4	8
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									6	2	2	2	7	7
2030										To be determined
2034
Total		0/16								53	14	11	28	48	79

Africa Cup of Nations

The Leone Stars have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations three times. They reached the group stage in 1994, 1996, and 2021.

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
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
2027	To be determined
2029
Total	0 titles	3/35	8	1	3	4	4	14	—

Coaching Staff

This table shows the current coaching staff for the Sierra Leone national football team.

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

Team Achievements

Regional Cups

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

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Sierra Leona para niños