Sierra Leone national football team

The Sierra Leone national football team represents Sierra Leone in association football and is governed by the Sierra Leone Football Association. It has qualified for Africa Cup of Nations three times.

Sierra Leone

Nickname(s)	Leone Stars
Association	SLFA
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach	Mohamed Kallon
Captain	Osman Kakay
Most caps	Umaru Bangura (55)
Top scorer	Mohamed Kallon (8)
Home stadium	Freetown National Stadium
FIFA code	SLE
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	124 (10 July 2025)[1]
Highest	50 (August 2014)
Lowest	172 (September 2007)
First international
Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria  (Freetown, Sierra Leone; 10 August 1949)[2]
Biggest win
Sierra Leone 5–1 Niger  (Freetown, Sierra Leone; 7 March 1976)  Sierra Leone 5–1 Niger  (Freetown, Sierra Leone; 3 June 1995)  Sierra Leone 4–0 São Tomé and Príncipe  (Freetown, Sierra Leone; 22 April 2000)
Biggest defeat
Mali 6–0 Sierra Leone  (Bamako, Mali; 17 June 2007)  Syria 6–0 Sierra Leone  (Syria; 5 June 2009)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	3 (first in 1994)
Best result	Group stage (1994, 1996, 2021)

History

Sierra Leone's first match was at home on 10 August 1949 against another British colony, Nigeria, and was lost 2–0. In 1954 it played another British colony and British administered U.N trust territory, Gold Coast and Trans-Volta Togoland, and lost 2–0 away. On 22 April 1961, it hosted Nigeria and lost 4–2. On 12 November 1966, it hosted Liberia in its first match against a non-British colony and earned its first draw, 1–1. A week later, it lost 2–0 in Liberia. On 13 January 1971, it played its first match against a non-African team, West Germany's B-team. The match in Sierra Leone was won 1–0 by the Germans. Sierra Leone's first match outside Africa was its first against an Asian nation, China. It lost 4–1 in China on 5 April 1974.^[3]

In August 2014, Sierra Leone FA cancelled all association football matches in an effort to stop the spread of the 2014 Ebola virus epidemic in Sierra Leone, a week after Liberian FA did the same.^[4] Sierra Leonean players playing outside Sierra Leone, such as Michael Lahoud playing in the United States, were discriminated against, with opposition players refusing to swap shirts, shake hands and allow them to certain places of the stadium because they fear that they could be carrying the disease.^[5] The Sierra Leonean national team wasn't allowed to play home games and all players had to be foreign-based.^[6]

Results and fixtures

Main article: Sierra Leone national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

Sierra Leone  v  Djibouti

5 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Sierra Leone	2–1	Djibouti	El Jadida, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1	Davies 12' Kargbo 51'	Report	Dadzie 35' (pen.)	Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)

Burkina Faso  v  Sierra Leone

10 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Burkina Faso	2–2	Sierra Leone	Bamako, Mali
16:00 UTC+0	Ouattara 41' L. Traoré 45+2' (pen.)	Report	Kargbo 58' Bakayoko 88'	Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)

Sierra Leone  v  Chad

6 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Sierra Leone	0–0	Chad	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC+0		Report		Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Referee: George Gatogato (Burundi)

Zambia  v  Sierra Leone

10 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Zambia	3–2	Sierra Leone	Ndola, Zambia
15:00 UTC+2	K. Musonda 28' Kampamba 70' Kangwa 85'	Report	Kargbo 33' Mustapha 73'	Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)

Ivory Coast  v  Sierra Leone

11 October 2025 AFCON qualification	Ivory Coast	4–1	Sierra Leone	San Pedro, Ivory Coast
19:00 UTC+0	Pépé 3' Kessié 51', 76' (pen.) Diakité 87' (pen.)	Report	Koroma 43'	Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 16,553 Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)

Sierra Leone  v  Ivory Coast

15 October 2025 AFCON qualification	Sierra Leone	1–0	Ivory Coast	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC+0	Bakayoko 85'	Report		Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Attendance: 7,408 Referee: Jeannot Franck Bito (Cameroon)

Sierra Leone  v  Liberia

27 October 2024 CHAN qualification	Sierra Leone	1–2	Liberia	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC+0	Kalokoh 22'	Report	Kumeh 3' Kabia 58' (o.g.)	Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex

Liberia  v  Sierra Leone

1 November 2024 CHAN qualification	Liberia	1–1 (3-2 agg.)	Sierra Leone	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC+0		Report		Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Note: Sierra Leone lost 3-2 on aggregate.

Chad  v  Sierra Leone

10 November 2025 AFCON qualification	Chad	1–1	Sierra Leone	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
18:00 UTC+0	Thiam 34' (pen.)	Report	Dumbuya 29'	Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium Referee: Jean Ouattara (Burkina Faso)

Sierra Leone  v  Zambia

18 November 2025 AFCON qualification	Sierra Leone	0–2	Zambia	Paynesville, Liberia
15:00 UTC+0		Report	Banda 54' K. Musonda 71'	Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Referee: Yannick Malala (Congo DR)

2025

Sierra Leone  v  Guinea-Bissau

20 March 2026 World Cup qualification	Sierra Leone	3–1	Guinea-Bissau	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC+0	Bundu 19' Mu. Kamara 61' I. Turay 90+6'	Report	Monteiro 68'	Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Referee: Daniel Nii Laryea (Ghana)

Egypt  v  Sierra Leone

25 March 2026 World Cup qualification	Egypt	1–0	Sierra Leone	Cairo, Egypt
21:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Cairo International Stadium

Guinea-Bissau  v  Sierra Leone

September 2026 World Cup qualification

Guinea-Bissau

v

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone  v  Ethiopia

September 2026 World Cup qualification

Sierra Leone

v

Ethiopia

Sierra Leone  v  Burkina Faso

October 2026 World Cup qualification

Sierra Leone

v

Burkina Faso

Djibouti  v  Sierra Leone

October 2026 World Cup qualification

Djibouti

v

Sierra Leone

Coaching history

Roger Palmgren, here in a white shirt, became the manager of Sierra Leone in 1994

• Burkhard Pape (1966–1968)
• Klaus Ebbighausen (1976–1978)
• Warwick Rimmer (1979)
• Christian Cole (1989)
• Christian Cole (1991)
• Raymond Zarpanelian (1993–1994)
• Roger Palmgren (1994–1996)
• John Sherington (1996–1997)
• Abdulai Sesay (1997–2000)
• Dušan Drašković (2000)
• Christian Cole (2001)
• José Antonio Nogueira (2003)
• John Sherington (2003–2006)
• James Peters (2006–2007)
• Mohamed Kanu (2007–2009)
• Daniel Koroma (2009–2010)
• Christian Cole (2010–2011)
• Lars-Olof Mattsson (2011–2013)
• Johnathan McKinstry (2013–2014)
• Atto Mensah (2014)
• John Ajina Sesay (2014–2015)
• John Sherington (2015)
• Sellas Tetteh (2015–2017)
• John Keister (2017–2019)
• Sellas Tetteh (2019–2020)
• John Keister (2020–2023)
• Amidu Karim (2023–)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group A matches against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt on 20 and 25 March 2025 respectively.^[7]

Caps and goals are correct as of 25 March 2025, after the match against Egypt.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Francis Koroma	(2000-05-15) 15 May 2000 (age 25)	6	0	East End Lions
	1GK	Alhaji Sesay	(1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Bhantal
	1GK	Dauda Bangura	(2006-10-16) 16 October 2006 (age 18)	0	0	East End Lions
	2DF	Emmanuel Samadia	(2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 24)	26	0	Hartford Athletic
	2DF	Nathaniel Jalloh	(2005-09-07) 7 September 2005 (age 19)	8	0	Kallon
	2DF	Juma Bah	(2006-04-11) 11 April 2006 (age 19)	2	0	Lens
	2DF	Sitta Bah	(2006-04-27) 27 April 2006 (age 19)	0	0	Star Sport
	2DF	Edward Bello Yillah	(2006-11-17) 17 November 2006 (age 18)	0	0	Mighty Blackpool
	2DF	David Janneh	(1993-06-26) 26 June 1993 (age 32)	0	0	Kallon
	3MF	Abu Dumbuya	(1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 26)	21	1	Oulu
	3MF	Ibrahim Turay	(1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 26)	10	1	Bo Rangers
	3MF	Tyrese Fornah	(1999-09-11) 11 September 1999 (age 25)	8	0	Salford City
	3MF	Alpha Turay	(2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 20)	6	0	Dubočica
	3MF	Momoh Dumbuya	(2004-02-14) 14 February 2004 (age 21)	2	1	Kallon
	3MF	Momoh Kamara	(2005-05-06) 6 May 2005 (age 20)	2	0	Free agent
	3MF	Hassan Milla Koroma	(2000-11-07) 7 November 2000 (age 24)	2	1	Kallon
	3MF	John Bilili Sesay		1	0	Bhantal
	4FW	Kei Kamara	(1984-09-01) 1 September 1984 (age 40)	42	7	Free agent
	4FW	Mustapha Bundu	(1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 28)	22	4	Plymouth Argyle
	4FW	Alhassan Koroma	(1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 28)	22	2	Al Shahaniya
	4FW	Musa Noah Kamara	(1999-08-06) 6 August 1999 (age 25)	16	4	Bo Rangers
	4FW	Alie Conteh	(2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 22)	11	2	Mjøndalen
	4FW	Sallieu Tarawallie	(1995-01-03) 3 January 1995 (age 30)	8	1	Kallon
	4FW	Mohamed Bangura	(2004-03-19) 19 March 2004 (age 21)	3	0	Wilberforce Strikers
	4FW	James Kaiyamba		0	0	Star Sport

Recent call-ups

The following players had been called up in 12 months preceding the above draft.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Mohamed Kamara	(1999-04-29) 29 April 1999 (age 26)	25	0	Horoya	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
GK	Isaac Caulker	(1992-01-20) 20 January 1992 (age 33)	2	0	Kallon	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
GK	Donald Kamara	(2002-07-16) 16 July 2002 (age 23)	1	0	East End Lions	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF	Steven Caulker	(1991-12-29) 29 December 1991 (age 33)	18	0	Ankara Keçiörengücü	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
DF	Abdul Jarju Kabia	(2001-01-27) 27 January 2001 (age 24)	8	0	FC Dynamo Brest	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
DF	Yeami Dunia	(1996-12-16) 16 December 1996 (age 28)	34	0	Old Edwardians	v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
DF	Osman Kakay	(1997-08-25) 25 August 1997 (age 27)	26	0	Queens Park Rangers	v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
DF	Saidu Mansaray	(2001-02-21) 21 February 2001 (age 24)	8	0	Bo Rangers	v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
DF	Mohamed Kabia	(2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 22)	4	0	Mbabane Swallows	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF	Yusuf Sesay	(2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 24)	4	0	Bo Rangers	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
DF	Curtis Davies	(1985-03-15) 15 March 1985 (age 40)	3	1	Cheltenham Town	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
MF	Sullay Kaikai	(1995-08-26) 26 August 1995 (age 29)	20	1	Cambridge United	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Alusine Koroma	(1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 28)	17	0	Orihuela	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Jonathan Morsay	(1997-10-05) 5 October 1997 (age 27)	11	1	Panionios	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Ibrahim Sillah	(1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 (age 30)	11	0	ACV	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Issa Kallon	(1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 (age 29)	9	0	Nantong Zhiyun	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Rodney Michael	(1999-08-10) 10 August 1999 (age 25)	8	1	POX	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Hindolo Mustapha	(2006-07-29) 29 July 2006 (age 19)	3	1	Crystal Palace	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
MF	Saidu Fofanah	(1997-09-14) 14 September 1997 (age 27)	13	1	Kallon	v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
MF	Kamil Conteh	(2002-12-26) 26 December 2002 (age 22)	11	0	Bristol Rovers	v.  Zambia, 10 September 2024
MF	Alpha Conteh	(2000-05-01) 1 May 2000 (age 25)	4	0	Neftçi	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
FW	Augustus Kargbo	(1999-08-24) 24 August 1999 (age 25)	21	5	Blackburn Rovers	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
FW	Amadou Bakayoko	(1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 29)	16	4	Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
FW	Daniel Kanu	(2004-11-14) 14 November 2004 (age 20)	5	0	Charlton Athletic	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
FW	Josh Koroma	(1998-11-09) 9 November 1998 (age 26)	3	0	Huddersfield Town	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
FW	Nabieu Navas Daffae		1	0	Luawa	v.  Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024
FW	Sallieu Bah	(2006-09-10) 10 September 2006 (age 18)	5	0	Wilberforce Strikers	v.  Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024
Notes INJ Withdrew due to injury. PRE Preliminary squad / standby RET Had announced retirement from international association football. SUS Is serving a suspension. PRI Absent due to private circumstances. WD Withdrawn.

Records

As of 19 November 2024^[8]

Players in bold are still active with Sierra Leone.

Most appearances

Umaru Bangura is Sierra Leone's most capped player with 55 appearances.

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Umaru Bangura	55	4	2006–2022
2	Ibrahim Bah	45	3	1986–1998
3	Mohamed Kallon	40	8	1995–2012
4	Kei Kamara	39	7	2008–2022
5	Sheriff Suma	37	3	2006–2015
6	Kwame Quee	35	3	2012–present
7	Yeami Dunia	34	0	2012–present
8	Medo Kamara	33	1	2008–2021
9	Julius Wobay	32	4	2001–2018
10	Ibrahim Kargbo	30	1	2000–2013

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Mohamed Kallon	8	40	0.2	1995–2012
2	Kei Kamara	7	39	0.18	2008–2022
3	Lamine Conteh	6	20	0.3	1993–2006
4	Alhaji Kamara	5	19	0.26	2012–present
	Augustus Kargbo	5	21	0.24	2021–present
6	Teteh Bangura	4	12	0.33	2011–2014
	Alhassan Kamara	4	16	0.25	2012–2018
	Abu Kanu	4	16	0.25	1994–2003
	Mustapha Bangura	4	17	0.24	2005–2016
	Julius Wobay	4	32	0.13	2001–2018
	Umaru Bangura	4	55	0.07	2006–2022

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1962 and 1966	Not affiliated to CAF									Not affiliated to CAF
1970	Did not enter									Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify									2	0	0	2	0	3
1978										4	1	1	2	8	9
1982										2	0	1	1	3	5
1986										2	0	0	2	0	5
1990	Did not enter									Did not enter
1994	Withdrew									Withdrew
1998	Did not qualify									7	2	1	4	4	8
2002										10	2	1	7	6	17
2006										2	0	1	1	1	2
2010										8	3	2	3	5	8
2014										6	2	2	2	10	10
2018										2	1	0	1	2	2
2022										2	1	0	1	2	3
2026	To be determined									6	2	2	2	7	7
2030										To be determined
2034
Total		0/16								53	14	11	28	48	79

Africa Cup of Nations

Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad
1962	Not affiliated to CAF
1963
1965
1968	Did not enter
1970	Withdrew
1972	Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify
1976	Did not enter
1978	Did not qualify
1980	Did not enter
1982	Did not qualify
1984
1986	Withdrew
1988	Did not qualify
1990	Withdrew
1992	Did not qualify
1994	Round 1	10th	2	0	1	1	0	4	Squad
1996	Round 1	13th	3	1	0	2	2	7	Squad
1998	Withdrew
2000	Disqualified due to civil war
2002	Did not qualify
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2013
2015
2017
2019	Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
2021	Group stage	18th	3	0	2	1	2	3	Squad
2023	Did not qualify
2025
2027	To be determined
2029
Total	0 titles	3/35	8	1	3	4	4	14	—

Coaching staff

Head coach	Amidu Karim
Assistant coach	Alusine Sesay
Assistant coach	Amara Rahman Bangura
Sport therapist	Joris De Vos
Head of medical	Osman Fofanah
Team manager	Abdulai Kargbo

Honours

Regional

• Amílcar Cabral Cup
  • Champions (2): 1993, 1995
  • Runners-up (2): 1984, 1986