By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Leone Stars wrapped up their home technical test matches on a winning note today, defeating Leone Rock Premier League runners-up Bhantal FC 1–0 at the Approved School Playing Field.
The lone goal of the encounter came in the second half, securing Leone Stars their first victory in the two-match series after falling 1–0 to league champions East End Lions yesterday.
The two friendlies were designed to sharpen the team’s readiness for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Sierra Leone will open their campaign away to Guinea-Bissau on September 4 before traveling to Liberia to face Ethiopia on September 9, 2025.
Adding a touch of excitement to the fixture, newly appointed Team Manager Abdul Karim Bangura (AKB) fulfilled his earlier promise of spicing up the match with lighthearted incentives. Both Leone Stars and Bhantal FC received Le 5,000 each, with an additional Le 10,000 presented to Leone Stars as winners of the day.
With their local preparations now concluded, the selected home-based players will be merged with the invited foreign-based players to form the final squad that will represent Sierra Leone in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Head Coach Mohamed Kallon, speaking after the game, expressed satisfaction with the exercises, noting that he has seen and gotten all he wanted from the home preparations. He added that he is now ready to bring both the foreign-based and home-based players together to form a formidable squad that will fight and bring pride to the nation.