By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Sierra Leone Home-Based side has on the 27th August 2022 lost to the Eagles of Mali by two goals to one in the first leg of the CHAN Qualifiers at the Samuel k Doe Stadium in Liberia.
The match started with pace play from both the two nations with Leone Stars Home Based failing to convert two chances that could have given the early lead, but the solid defensive work of the Eagles of Mali in their defense stopped Leone Stars Home Based from taking the lead.
The Eagles of Mali get their opener in the 23rd minute of play as Hamidou Sinayoko player in (9) Jersey converted a beautiful pass from the Midfield area and gives the Eagles the vital opener in the first half. Sierra Leone Home Based push hard to see if they can level terms before the break but the resilient Malians hold on at the end of the first half.
After the recess, both teams returned to the pitch with lots of ambition from the players of the two nations, but the Eagles of Mali get the second in the 47th minute of play as Ousmane Kamissoko converted another set piece chance to give the Malian two valued goals away from home.
Musa Noah Kamara the Skipper of Bo Rangers Football Club and Prince Barrie the winger of East End Lions Football Club came close deep in the second half to score two for the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone as they look to get their away goal, but the solid rock defensive work of the tall Malian defenders cut all the areal balls to stop Sierra Leone from scoring any goal.
Sierra Leone has never qualified for the tournament since its inception last in Cameroon and the Malian team was runners up in the first edition.
Francis Zappa Koroma made a couple of changes from the squad that last defeated the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in the first rounds of the Preliminary rounds in the CHAN Qualifiers.
The Eagles of Mali came into the match with a mindset of getting the goals seat back and frustrating the Sierra Leone Home Based Side from scoring any goal. But in the extra additional time, the informed Striker Musa Noah Kamara gets a goal back for the Leone Stars Home Based Side as it all ended Sierra Leone Home Based Side (1-2)the Eagles of Malian.
The two nations’ sides will meet again on the 3rd of September 2022 in Bamako as Sierra Leone needs to turn down the scored line a goal to nil will be enough to See Sierra Leone’s Home Based Side in the CHAN Tournament in Algeria.
