By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Sierra Leone Senior National Team Leone Stars have been drawn in a highly competitive group for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers alongside Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, and DR. Congo.
The official draw takes place in Cairo Egypt where ex-players conducted the draw, with the qualification campaign set to Kick-off in September this year, with Sierra Leone preparing for what promises to be an exciting and fiercely contested journey toward the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sierra Leone is looking forward to make a return to Africa’s biggest Football stage, Sierra Leone last featured at the continetal tournament during the 2021 AFCON finals in Cameroon, where the team challenge some of Africa’s strongest Nations, earnings administration across the Continent despite exiting at the group stage.
Group E is expected to provide a quite a difficult test for Leone Stars, with DR Congo and Equatorial Guinea regarded among the continent’s experienced and competitive sides, while Zimbabwe also remains a formidable opponent with a strong football pedigree. Despite the difficult opposition, the draw also offers Sierra Leone a genuine opportunity to compete for qualification.
The upcoming qualification campaign is expected to be highly competitive, with several African football powerhouses battling for places at the expanded 24-team tournament. Leone Stars will be hoping to secure qualification and make a return to the continental showpiece in East Africa.
CAF has confirmed that the qualification series will be played across three FIFA international windows. Matchdays One and Two are scheduled to take place between September 21st and October 6th, 2026. Match days Three and Four will be played between November 9th and 17th, 2026, while the final round of qualifiers is set for March 22nd–30th, 2027.
The AFCON 2027 finals are scheduled to kick off on June 19th, 2027, with the final expected to be played on July 17th, 2027. The tournament is anticipated to be one of the most historic editions of the continental championship, as East Africa prepares to host the competition for the first time in decades.
With the draw now officially concluded, focus will gradually shift toward Leone Stars’ preparations for the qualifiers, including the Sierra Leone Football Association’s (SLFA) anticipated appointment of a new head coach, a decision many fans believe could significantly shape the country’s hopes of returning to the AFCON stage.