By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Sierra Leone’s quest to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has hit a significant bump following a 1-1 draw against Chad in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Wednesday. The result leaves the Leone Stars with a challenging road ahead as they strive to secure a spot in next year’s tournament in Morocco.
The match began with promise for Sierra Leone as midfielder Abu Dumbuya opened the scoring in the 29th minute, giving the visitors a crucial lead. However, their advantage was short-lived. Just five minutes later, Chad’s M. Thiam converted a penalty to level the score, dampening Sierra Leone’s hopes of taking all three points.
With the draw, Sierra Leone’s future in Group G hangs in the balance. The Leone Stars now sit in a precarious position, needing a strong finish to qualify for the tournament. Côte d’Ivoire, the defending champions, have already secured their spot in Morocco, leaving Sierra Leone to fight it out for one of the remaining qualification spots.
Chad, despite the draw, remains out of contention for the AFCON. With just three points and one match remaining against Côte d’Ivoire, the Chadians are effectively eliminated from the race, but their final game could still have a significant impact on the group standings, especially for the Ivorian hosts.
Looking ahead, Sierra Leone’s qualification hopes depend on their next match against Zambia on November 19, 2024, in Liberia. A win in that fixture is crucial for the Leone Stars to keep their AFCON dreams alive. Additionally, Sierra Leone will be closely watching the outcome of the Zambia versus Côte d’Ivoire match on November 15. A win or draw for Zambia would keep the pressure on the group and offer Sierra Leone a glimmer of hope.
The pressure is mounting on Sierra Leone to deliver a strong performance in their remaining fixtures. With qualification hanging in the balance, the Leone Stars must now summon all their strength and determination to make their mark on the prestigious tournament in Morocco.
