Sierra Leone’s national football team, the Leone Stars, displayed incredible determination in their June World Cup Qualifiers, earning a share of the spoils in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Burkina Faso on Monday.

Burkina Faso looked poised for victory after taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half, with goals from Dango Outtara and Lassina Traore. However, the Leone Stars refused to be disheartened.

They clawed their way back into the game in the second half, with Augustus Kargbo pulling one back from a corner in the 58th minute. The comeback was complete in the 88th minute when Amadou Bakayoko unleashed a powerful strike that left the Burkina Faso goalkeeper with no chance.

This hard-fought draw keeps both teams in the hunt for World Cup qualification and sets the stage for an exciting group stage.

Earlier in June, the Leone Stars secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Djibouti. Curtis Davies put them ahead early on, but a controversial penalty in the first half saw Djibouti equalize through Gabriel Dadzie. Unfazed, Sierra Leone regained the lead through Augustus Kargbo in the second half and held on for a vital three points.

President Bio took to social media to commend the team’s performances, expressing his pride and highlighting the government’s dedication to supporting football development in the country.

“Our darling Leone Stars have again not only made us proud but showed the world that the roar from Sierra Leone is notice of our resurgence in world football,” President Bio wrote. “We are proud that our unprecedented investments in football and sports in general are yielding us results and real pride as a nation.”