Sierra Leone FA Cup champions East End Lions FC have departed Freetown for Côte d’Ivoire ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round encounter against Ivorian side AF Amadou Diallo FC on Sunday, 6 September 2026.
The club travelled with a 26-man squad, passing through Conakry, Guinea, where the delegation will spend the night before continuing their journey from Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport to Côte d’Ivoire.
The delegation is being led by the club’s Secretary-General, Alpha Jalloh Esq., as the team prepares for a highly competitive West African encounter.
East End Lions have intensified preparations for the continental campaign, with the technical team focusing on the players’ fitness, tactical organization and overall match readiness.
As part of their preparations, the FA Cup champions played a series of friendly matches. They defeated the Leone Stars Home-Based Team 2-1, drew 2-2 with Western United FC, and secured an emphatic 8-0 victory over Dock Yard Community Team.
This campaign marks East End Lions’ second consecutive appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Qualifiers, further highlighting the club’s growing presence on the continental stage.
Their opponents, AF Amadou Diallo FC, will be making their first-ever appearance in a CAF competition since the club was established.
Upon arrival in Côte d’Ivoire, East End Lions’ technical team is expected to make final adjustments to the squad’s tactics and preparations as the club seeks a positive result in the first leg of the preliminary round tie.