Sierra Leone national football team

Sierra Leone
Shirt badge/Association crest
NicknameLeone Stars
AssociationSierra Leone Football Association (SLFA)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachDidier Gomes Da Rosa
CaptainOsman Kakay
Most capsUmaru Bangura (55)
Top scorerMohamed Kallon
Kei Kamara (8)
Home stadiumFreetown National Stadium
FIFA codeSLE
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 130 Decrease 8 (7 October 2026)
Highest50 (August 2014)
Lowest172 (September 2007)
First international
Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 10 August 1949)
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
Appearances3 (first in 1994)
Best resultGroup stage (1994, 1996, 2021)

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.

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.

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. 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. The Sierra Leonean national team wasn't allowed to play home games and all players had to be foreign-based.

Results and fixtures

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

2026

27 March 2026 FIFA Series Oman  Cancelled  Sierra Leone Baku, Azerbaijan
15:00 UTC+4 Stadium: Dalga Arena
Note: Match cancelled due to Oman withdrawing following the 2026 Iran war.
30 March 2026 FIFA Series Azerbaijan  1–1
(9–8 p)		  Sierra Leone Sumgait, Azerbaijan
19:00 UTC+4 R. Mammadov 72' Report
Stadium: Sumgayit City Stadium
Referee: Asker Nadjafaliev (Uzbekistan)
Penalties
6 June Friendly Sierra Leone  1–0  Liberia Freetown, Sierra Leone
16:00 UTC+0
Report Stadium: Bo Stadium
9 June Friendly Liberia  3–1  Sierra Leone Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC+0
Report
Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
24 September 2027 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone  2–3  Zimbabwe El Jadida, Morocco
19:00 UTC+0
Report
Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
Referee: Lucky Razake Kasalirwe (Uganda)
28 September 2027 AFCON qualification Equatorial Guinea  1–0  Sierra Leone Yaoundé, Cameroon
17:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium
Referee: Fabrice Senyo (Togo)
11 November 2027 AFCON qualification DR Congo  v  Sierra Leone TBD, DR Congo
TBD Stadium: TBD
15 November 2027 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone  v  DR Congo TBD, Sierra Leone
TBD Stadium: TBD

2027

24 March 2027 AFCON qualification Zimbabwe  v  Sierra Leone TBD, Zimbabwe
TBD Stadium: TBD
28 March 2027 AFCON qualification Sierra Leone  v  Equatorial Guinea TBD, Sierra Leone
TBD Stadium: TBD

Coaching history

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

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea on 24 and 28 September 2026, respectively.

Information correct as of 28 September 2026, after the match against Equatorial Guinea.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Mamadou Jalloh (2006-11-29) 29 November 2006 (age 19) 3 0 Football Association of Finland VPS
23 1GK Ibrahim Sesay (2004-10-18) 18 October 2004 (age 22) 13 0 Football Federation of Armenia Alashkert
25 1GK Francis Koroma (2000-05-15) 15 May 2000 (age 26) 4 0 Nigeria Football Federation Katsina United
2 2DF Osman Kakay (1997-08-25) 25 August 1997 (age 29) 29 0 Slovak Football Association Košice
4 2DF MJ Kamson-Kamara (2006-02-14) 14 February 2006 (age 20) 2 0 Scottish Football Association Kilmarnock
5 2DF Alpha Turay (2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 21) 12 0 Egyptian Football Association El Gouna
13 2DF Abdoulie Jarjue Kabia (2001-01-27) 27 January 2001 (age 25) 9 0 Football Federation of Belarus Minsk
18 2DF Sallieu Tarawallie (1995-01-03) 3 January 1995 (age 31) 6 2 Sierra Leone Football Association Kallon
19 2DF Alex Bangura (1999-07-13) 13 July 1999 (age 27) 5 0 The Football Association Middlesbrough
21 2DF Juma Bah (2006-04-11) 11 April 2006 (age 20) 9 1 German Football Association FC Augsburg
2DF Emmanuel Samadia (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 25) 28 0 United States Soccer Federation Hartford Athletic
3 3MF Azeem Abdulai (2002-12-09) 9 December 2002 (age 23) 1 0 Scottish Football Association Hibernian
6 3MF Saidu Fofanah (1997-09-14) 14 September 1997 (age 29) 14 1 Free agent
7 3MF Idris Kanu (1999-12-05) 5 December 1999 (age 26) 5 0 The Football Association Barnet
8 3MF Alhassan Koroma (2000-06-09) 9 June 2000 (age 26) 27 3 United Arab Emirates Football Association Baniyas
14 3MF Tyrese Fornah (1999-09-11) 11 September 1999 (age 27) 11 0 The Football Association Northampton Town
17 3MF Momoh Kamara (2005-05-06) 6 May 2005 (age 21) 8 1 Swedish Football Association Elfsborg
20 3MF Kallum Cesay (2002-09-04) 4 September 2002 (age 24) 5 2 The Football Association Salford City
22 3MF Saidu Bah Kamara (2002-03-03) 3 March 2002 (age 24) 9 0 Sierra Leone Football Association Bo Rangers
3MF Hindolo Mustapha (2006-07-29) 29 July 2006 (age 20) 3 1 The Football Association Notts County
9 4FW Daniel Kanu (2004-11-14) 14 November 2004 (age 21) 8 1 The Football Association Notts County
10 4FW Sullay Kaikai (1995-08-26) 26 August 1995 (age 31) 22 1 The Football Association Cambridge United
11 4FW Josh Koroma (1998-11-09) 9 November 1998 (age 27) 4 0 The Football Association Chesterfied
15 4FW Alie Conteh (2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 23) 10 3 Football Association of Finland Inter Turku
16 4FW Raees Bangura-Williams (2004-07-02) 2 July 2004 (age 22) 0 0 The Football Association Cambridge United
24 4FW Santigie Sesay (2003-07-01) 1 July 2003 (age 23) 1 0 Football Association of Montenegro Arsenal Tivat
4FW Mohamed Fofanah (2005-08-30) 30 August 2005 (age 21) 0 0 Sierra Leone Football Association East End Lions

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to the national team in the past 12 months but are not part of the current squad.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Alhaji Sesay (1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 (age 28) 7 0 Sierra Leone Bhantal v.  Liberia, 9 June 2026
GK Mohamed Kargbo (2005-01-01) 1 January 2005 (age 21) 0 0 Sierra Leone Old Edwardians v.  Liberia, 9 June 2026
DF Ernest Koroma (2006-06-19) 19 June 2006 (age 20) 0 0 Sierra Leone Bhantal v.  Liberia, 9 June 2026
DF Nathaniel Jalloh (2005-09-07) 7 September 2005 (age 21) 10 0 Sierra Leone Kallon v.  Azerbaijan, 30 March 2026
DF Citta Bah (2006-04-27) 27 April 2006 (age 20) 0 0 Denmark Midtjylland v.  Azerbaijan, 30 March 2026
MF Abu Dumbuya (1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 27) 22 1 Libya Al-Wefaq Ajdabiya v.  Liberia, 9 June 2026
MF John Bilili Sesay (2007-08-01) 1 August 2007 (age 19) 4 0 Republic of Ireland Bray Wanderers v.  Liberia, 9 June 2026
MF Kwame Quee (1996-09-07) 7 September 1996 (age 30) 36 3 Iceland Ungmennafélagið Víkingur v.  Azerbaijan, 30 March 2026
MF Kamil Conteh (2002-12-26) 26 December 2002 (age 23) 12 0 England Lincoln City v.  Azerbaijan, 30 March 2026
MF Alpha Kabia (2005-11-22) 22 November 2005 (age 20) 1 0 United States Minnesota United v.  Azerbaijan, 30 March 2026
MF Santigie Fornah (2007-02-01) 1 February 2007 (age 19) 0 0 Sierra Leone SLIFA v.  Azerbaijan, 30 March 2026
FW Mustapha Bundu (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 29) 24 4 Germany Hannover 96 v.  Liberia, 9 June 2026
FW Mohamed Buya Turay (1995-01-10) 10 January 1995 (age 31) 21 3 Free agent v.  Liberia, 9 June 2026
FW Amadou Bakayoko (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 30) 18 4 Japan Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo v.  Liberia, 9 June 2026
FW Samuel Gandi (2006-10-19) 19 October 2006 (age 20) 4 1 Moldova Politehnica UTM Chișinău v.  Liberia, 9 June 2026
FW Yayah Kallon (2001-06-30) 30 June 2001 (age 25) 2 0 Italy Casertana v.  Liberia, 9 June 2026
FW Sampha Kamara (1988-10-20) 20 October 1988 (age 38) 0 0 Finland OPS v.  Liberia, 9 June 2026
FW Jay Tee Kamara (2002-05-10) 10 May 2002 (age 24) 1 0 United States Portland Hearts of Pine v.  Azerbaijan, 30 March 2026
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 12 October 2025
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
1Umaru Bangura5542006–2022
2Ibrahim Bah4531986–1998
Kei Kamara4582008–2025
4Mohamed Kallon4181995–2012
5Sheriff Suma3732006–2015
6Kwame Quee3532012–present
7Yeami Dunia3402012–present
8Medo Kamara3312008–2021
9Julius Wobay3242001–2018
10Ibrahim Kargbo3012000–2013

Top goalscorers

Kei Kamara is Sierra Leone's joint-top scorer with 8 goals.
Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Mohamed Kallon8410.21995–2012
Kei Kamara8450.182008–2025
3Lamine Conteh6200.31993–2006
4Alhaji Kamara5190.262012–present
Augustus Kargbo5240.212021–present
6John Dumbuya4411984–1987
Teteh Bangura4120.332011–2014
Amadou Bakayoko4160.252022–present
Alhassan Kamara4160.252012–2018
Musa Noah Kamara4160.252018–present
Abu Kanu4160.251994–2003
Mustapha Bangura4170.242005–2016
Mustapha Bundu4230.172019–present
Julius Wobay4320.132001–2018
Umaru Bangura4550.072006–2022

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
Chile 1962 and England 1966 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Mexico 1970 Did not enter Did not enter
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 3
Argentina 1978 4 1 1 2 8 9
Spain 1982 2 0 1 1 3 5
Mexico 1986 2 0 0 2 0 5
Italy 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
United States 1994 Withdrew Withdrew
France 1998 Did not qualify 7 2 1 4 4 8
South Korea Japan 2002 10 2 1 7 6 17
Germany 2006 2 0 1 1 1 2
South Africa 2010 8 3 2 3 5 8
Brazil 2014 6 2 2 2 10 10
Russia 2018 2 1 0 1 2 2
Qatar 2022 2 1 0 1 2 3
Canada Mexico United States 2026 10 4 3 3 12 10
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/16 57 16 12 29 53 82

Africa Cup of Nations

Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Ethiopia 1962Not affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965
Ethiopia 1968 Did not enter
Sudan 1970 Withdrew
Cameroon 1972 Did not enter
Egypt 1974 Did not qualify
Ethiopia 1976 Did not enter
Ghana 1978 Did not qualify
Nigeria 1980 Did not enter
Libya 1982 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 1984
Egypt 1986 Withdrew
Morocco 1988 Did not qualify
Algeria 1990 Withdrew
Senegal 1992 Did not qualify
Tunisia 1994 Round 1 10th 2 0 1 1 0 4 Squad
South Africa 1996 Round 1 13th 3 1 0 2 2 7 Squad
Burkina Faso 1998 Withdrew
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Disqualified due to civil war
Mali 2002 Did not qualify
Tunisia 2004
Egypt 2006
Ghana 2008
Angola 2010
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012
South Africa 2013
Equatorial Guinea 2015
Gabon 2017
Egypt 2019 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
Cameroon 2021 Group stage 18th 3 0 2 1 2 3 Squad
Ivory Coast 2023 Did not qualify
Morocco 2025
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 To be determined
2028
Total 0 titles 3/35 8 1 3 4 4 14 —

Coaching staff

Head coachSierra Leone Amidu Karim
Assistant coach Sierra Leone Alusine Sesay
Assistant coachSierra Leone Amara Rahman Bangura
Sport therapistBelgium Joris De Vos
Head of medicalSierra Leone Osman Fofanah
Team managerSierra Leone Abdulai Kargbo

Honours

Regional

References

  1. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". 7 October 2026. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
  2. ↑ Courtney, Barrie (15 August 2006). "Sierra Leone – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  3. ↑ "Sierra Leone – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 19 November 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  4. ↑ "Sierra Leone suspends football matches as Ebola virus spreads". The Independent. 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "Ebola affecting Sierra Leone team – Michael Lahoud". BBC Sport. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "The land where football is religion". FIFATV. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ "𝐋eone 𝐒tars 𝐒quad 𝐀nnounced 𝐅or 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕 𝐀𝐅𝐂𝐎𝐍 𝐐ualifiers". Facebook. Sierra Leone Football Association. 17 September 2026. Retrieved 18 September 2026.
  8. ↑ "Sierra Leone". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

Sources