By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Sierra Leone National under (20) side (Shooting Stars) will today go head to head with Mali under (20) side in the West Africa Football Union Tournament(WAFU) in Nouakchott in Mauritania.
The team has been in intensive training for the past two months with a couple of friendly matches before their departure for the tournament.
Ibrahim Sillah the head coach of the National underside expresses optimism ahead of today’s encounter against their Malian counterpart in the opening fixtures of the U-20 Tournament in Mauritania.
He affirmed that his boys are going to emerge victorious in today’s match,
“The amount of work we have put in preparing for this tournament is excellent and that should yield nothing but success for the nation.” He said
He furthered that the boys are currently in their best shape and form with a level of determination to fight for the much-needed three points in their opening fixture.
The SLFA Vice president (1) Harold Nat Johansson who doubles as the Leader of the delegation of Sierra Leone U-20 (Shooting Stars) and has assured players of U-20 Shooting stars of government`s continuous support throughout the tournament.
He pointed out that the SLFA has made the platform for all categories to be represented in competitions for players to showcase their talents for the betterment of the country and that they are obliged to seek the interest of players, officials, and the nations as well as a positive outcome in the tournament.
He admonished players to be focus and determine and take instructions from their coaches at all times, and that players should bear in mind that the whole nation is looking forward to them for better results in this tournament, as they are ambassadors in pursuing excellent performance.
He disclosed that for the past years Sierra Leone U-20 were unable to move towards positive performance in the WAFU tournament.
With what I have seen for the past two months of intensive training “I am confident that these bulk of players will do better to reach the finals and qualify for the U-20 AFCON in Egypt Next year”, he stated
In his statement the team manager Foday Anthony implore the boys to be focused as they have been selected to represent the country, he assured them of his support at all times and winning should be our ultimate goal.
He disclosed that what is entitled to them will be made available to them. He admonishes them to replicate what has been learned during the past training session, and that winning should be our ultimate goal.
In his statement, the director of cooperate operations (NSA) Ali Sesay commend players for their positive mental approach and discipline during the days of preparations ahead of this tournament.
He called on them to play for the nation and produce the positive results which are needed by Sierra Leonean.
