By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Sierra Leone Senior National team Leone Stars will on Saturday play Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a crunch tie under the FIFA Sanctioned International friendly calendar.
The friendly encounter is preparation ahead for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone are set to play against Sao Tome Principle in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
John Edward Keister the head coach of the national team said the two Friendlies matches are important for the team’s growth and ideal for getting the right personnel for the important matches ahead of the qualifiers.
He noted that going to South Africa is good for the Leone Stars team as it is important for introducing new players and also important for bringing the group together thereby identifying potential players that will be part of the national team.
Whereas, the Bafana head coach Hugo Broos said the Friendly match against Sierra Leone will be a good one for their preparation ahead of their 2023 Africa Cup nations against Liberia and Botswana. The coach has named 23 players to face the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.
Leone Stars have a better record against the Bafana, Bafana of South Africa as this encounter will mark the fifth meeting between the two nations but the Leone Stars have a much better record against South Africa and they are yet to lose to their opponent in all international encounters.