Leone Stars Arrive in Kinshasa Ahead of Crucial AFCON 2027 Qualifiers
Aminata Koroma The Sierra Leone national football team, Leone Stars, have safely arrived in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), ahead of their two-legged encounter against the Congolese side in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 Qualifiers.
The delegation, led by Executive Committee Member Abdul Pascal Gbla, arrived on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Foreign-based players Saidu Fofanah, Saidu Bah Kamara and Francis Koroma have joined the delegation, alongside Ibrahim Turay, who was already in Freetown on holiday. At least 12 additional foreign-based players are expected to join the camp on Monday, November 9, while the remaining players are scheduled to arrive the following day.
Meanwhile, following Malachi Jones’ last-minute withdrawal due to personal reasons, Sierra Leone National U-20 team star Papay Gumba Mansaray has been called up as his replacement. The Ports Authority winger is already with the team in Kinshasa and is expected to make his first appearance in the senior national team setup.
Leone Stars will face DR Congo in the first leg on Thursday, November 12, in Kinshasa, before hosting the return encounter on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, in Casablanca, Morocco.
The delegation is accommodated at the five-star Golden Tulip Kin-Oasis Hotel in Kinshasa as preparations continue ahead of the crucial AFCON qualifying fixtures.