# 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.

## 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

### 2025
## Coaching history

* 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 Burkina Faso on 20 and 24 March 2025 respectively.
Caps and goals are correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Zambia.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Francis Koroma | (2000-05-15) 15 May 2000 (age 24) | 5 | 0 | East End Lions |
| 1GK | Dauda Bangura | (2006-10-16) 16 October 2006 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | East End Lions |
| 1GK | Alhaji Sesay | (1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | Bhantal |
| 2DF | Emmanuel Samadia | (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 23) | 25 | 0 | Hartford Athletic |
| 2DF | Nathaniel Jalloh | (2005-09-07) 7 September 2005 (age 19) | 4 | 0 | Kallon |
| 2DF | Sitta Bah | (2006-04-27) 27 April 2006 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Star Sport |
| 2DF | Juma Bah | (2006-04-11) 11 April 2006 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Lens |
| 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 31) | 0 | 0 | Kallon |
| 3MF | Abu Dumbuya | (1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 26) | 17 | 1 | Oulu |
| 3MF | Ibrahim Turay | (1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 25) | 7 | 0 | Bo Rangers |
| 3MF | Tyrese Fornah | (1999-09-11) 11 September 1999 (age 25) | 6 | 0 | Salford City |
| 3MF | Alpha Turay | (2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 19) | 4 | 0 | Dubočica |
| 3MF | Hassan Milla Koroma | (2000-11-07) 7 November 2000 (age 24) | 1 | 1 | Kallon |
| 3MF | Momoh Dumbuya | (2004-02-14) 14 February 2004 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Kallon |
| 3MF | Momoh Kamara | (2005-05-06) 6 May 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Free agent |
| 3MF | John Bilili Sesay | | 0 | 0 | Bhantal |
| 4FW | Kei Kamara | (1984-09-01) 1 September 1984 (age 40) | 40 | 7 | Free agent |
| 4FW | Mustapha Bundu | (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 28) | 21 | 3 | Plymouth Argyle |
| 4FW | Mohamed Bangura | (1989-07-27) 27 July 1989 (age 35) | 21 | 2 | Free agent |
| 4FW | Alhassan Koroma | (1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 27) | 18 | 2 | Al Shahaniya |
| 4FW | Musa Noah Kamara | (1999-08-06) 6 August 1999 (age 25) | 12 | 3 | Bo Rangers |
| 4FW | Alie Conteh | (2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 22) | 8 | 2 | Mjøndalen |
| 4FW | Sallieu Tarawallie | (1995-01-03) 3 January 1995 (age 30) | 4 | 1 | Kallon |
| 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 25) | 24 | 0 | Horoya | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| GK | Isaac Caulker | (1992-01-20) 20 January 1992 (age 33) | 0 | 0 | Kallon | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| GK | Donald Kamara | (2002-07-16) 16 July 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | East End Lions | v. Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024 |
| DF | Steven Caulker | (1991-12-29) 29 December 1991 (age 33) | 15 | 0 | Ankara Keçiörengücü | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Abdoulie Jarjue Kabia | (2001-01-27) 27 January 2001 (age 24) | 5 | 0 | Hapoel Kfar Saba | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Yeami Dunia | (1996-12-16) 16 December 1996 (age 28) | 31 | 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 21) | 4 | 0 | Mbabane Swallows | v. Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024 |
| DF | Yusuf Sesay | (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 23) | 2 | 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) | 16 | 1 | Cambridge United | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Alusine Koroma | (1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 27) | 14 | 0 | Orihuela | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Jonathan Morsay | (1997-10-05) 5 October 1997 (age 27) | 11 | 1 | AEL Limassol | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Ibrahim Sillah | (1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 (age 29) | 8 | 0 | ACV | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Rodney Michael | (1999-08-10) 10 August 1999 (age 25) | 6 | 1 | POX | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Issa Kallon | (1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 (age 29) | 5 | 0 | Nantong Zhiyun | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Hindolo Mustapha | (2006-07-29) 29 July 2006 (age 18) | 2 | 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 24) | 4 | 0 | Neftçi | v. Burkina Faso, 10 June 2024 |
| FW | Augustus Kargbo | (1999-08-24) 24 August 1999 (age 25) | 19 | 5 | Blackburn Rovers | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| FW | Amadou Bakayoko | (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 29) | 12 | 3 | 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) | 2 | 0 | Huddersfield Town | v. Ivory Coast, 15 October 2024 |
| FW | Nabieu Navas Daffae | | 0 | 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
    Players in bold are still active with Sierra Leone.

### Most 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 | Medo Kamara | 33 | 1 | 2008–2021 |
| 8 | Julius Wobay | 32 | 4 | 2001–2018 |
| 8 | Yeami Dunia | 32 | 0 | 2012–present |
| 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 |
| 4 | Augustus Kargbo | 5 | 21 | 0.24 | 2021–present |
| 6 | Teteh Bangura | 4 | 12 | 0.33 | 2011–2014 |
| 6 | Alhassan Kamara | 4 | 16 | 0.25 | 2012–2018 |
| 6 | Abu Kanu | 4 | 16 | 0.25 | 1994–2003 |
| 6 | Mustapha Bangura | 4 | 17 | 0.24 | 2005–2016 |
| 6 | Julius Wobay | 4 | 32 | 0.13 | 2001–2018 |
| 6 | Umaru Bangura | 4 | 55 | 0.07 | 2006–2022 |

## Competitive record
### FIFA World Cup

| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification 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 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1970 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1974 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 1978 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 9 |
| 1982 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 1986 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 1990 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1994 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1998 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 17 |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 10 |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2026 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2034 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | | 0/16 | | | | | | | 46 | 11 | 10 | 25 | 41 | 71 |

### Africa Cup of Nations

| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad |
| 1962 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1963 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1965 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1968 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1970 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1972 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1974 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1976 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1978 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1980 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1982 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1984 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1986 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1988 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1990 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1992 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 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 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2000 | Disqualified due to civil war | Disqualified due to civil war | Disqualified due to civil war | Disqualified due to civil war | Disqualified due to civil war | Disqualified due to civil war | Disqualified due to civil war | Disqualified due to civil war | Disqualified due to civil war |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2004 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2012 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2013 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2015 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2017 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2019 | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension |
| 2021 | Group stage | 18th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Squad |
| 2023 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2025 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2029 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | 0 titles | 3/34 | 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