By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Sierra Leone Senior National team Leone Stars opened their World Cup African qualifiers campaign with a draw against the Ethiopian side away from home.
With frontline actions directed from the touchline, Amidu Karim’s Leone Stars could only allow the Walia of Ethiopia to tip the scale to equilibrium amid rush of blizzards late Wednesday in the gaffer’s first match of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in Casablanca Morocco.
The match, whose start exhibited a Leone Stars in control of high tides, was stopped several times because of force majeure.
Amid nature’s run for disruption, Leone Stars created key chances, bringing into focus the scintillating display of talents. A win could have seen Leone Stars secure all three points before facing the Pharaohs of Egypt on 19th November, 2023, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Liberia.
Since taken the Leone Stars coaching job, Amidu Karim has played two matches winning one and drawing two – a fine start from the gaffer.
Supposedly the weather game in the African event.
Sadly the entire 90+ minutes recorded not a single shot on goal and with just 3 goal attempts from both Ethiopia and Sierra Leone for the entire match.
Leone Stars match against the Pharaoh’s need to pick up their first win in the Campaign if they are to get a good start in 2026 Africa World Cup qualifiers with good footing.
This is the Third times the two sides have met in all Competitions, Ethiopia defeated Sierra Leone by a goal to nil on 9th September 2018 in Ethiopia in the Africa Cup Nations qualifiers and 22nd Match 2019 Ethiopia held Sierra Leone to a goalless draw and in 2021 in an international Friendly Sierra Leone held Ethiopia to (1-1) all draw in Ethiopia.