By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Sierra Leone coach John Edward Keister has called up his most young and experienced players for this month`s Africa Cup of Nations Ivory Coast 2024 qualifiers against the Super Eagles of Nigeria
The Leone Stars will host the Super Eagles at the Samuel Kanyon in Monrovia, Liberia on Sunday. Keister has called the usual key players including captain Steven Caulker, defender Emmanuel Samadia, Abu Bakarr Samura and strikers Augustine Williams, Abu Komeh and Musa Noah Kamara.
Sierra Leone is currently placed third in the group and must get a win against Super Eagles to have a realistic chance of reaching the 2023 AFCON slated to hold in Ivory Coast in 2024.
In the reverse fixture between the two teams played in June 2022 at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, the Super Eagles came from a goal down to beat Sierra Leone 2-1. Nigeria and Sierra Leone have met each other seventeen (17) times with the Super Eagles having a better edge with (10) wins, Sierra Leone with (2) wins and (5) draws. Sierra Leone have failed to beat Nigeria in their six (6) previous meetings as Sierra Leone last victory against the Super Eagles was on 21st May 2001 (1-0 victory) in Freetown courtesy of Sidique Mansaray aka Bra Boss goal.
Sierra Leone squad:
Goalkeepers
Mohamed N. Kamara- Horoya- Guinea, Ibrahim Sesay (Bo Rangers)
Donald Kamara (EE Lions)
Defenders
Steven Caulker- (free agent), Abu Bakarr Samura (Bo Rangers), Edward Fornah-Skatel (Luawa FC), Alpha Turay-Pirlo (FC Kallon), Prince Barrie (EE Lions), Emmanuel Samadia– (Hapoel Rishon- Isreal), Santigie Sesay (Mighty Blackpool), Alusine Koroma- (Linense- Spain), Kamil Conteh- (Middlesburg- England)
Midfielders
Mohamed Kabba (Bo Rangers), Saidu Fofanah- Okocha (FC Kallon), Saidu Bah Kamara (Bo Rangers), Abu Dumbuya (Freetonian SLIFA), Daniel Francis- (Austria Klagenfurt- Austria), Idris Kanu- (Barnet- England), Mustapha Bundu- (FC Andorra- Spain), Rodney Michael- (Mornar-Montenegro)
Strikers
Musa Noah Kamara (Bo Rangers), Abu Komeh (Bo Rangers), Augustus Kargbo- (Crotone- Italy) Joseph Cleverland (Ports Authority)
Standby player
Lamin Conteh (FC Johansen)
Nigeria squad:
Goalkeepers:
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC), Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Maduka Okoye
Defenders:
Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes), Leon Balogun (Wigan Athletic), William Ekong (Udinese FC), Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC), Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion); Kingsley Ehizibue (FC Koln), Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes).
Midfielders:
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey), Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Etebo Oghenekaro (Getafe FC, Spain), Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain).
Forwards:
Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France), Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain), Cyril Dessers (Heracles Almelo, Netherlands), Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France), Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England).