English-born defender, Curtis Davies was selected by the Sierra Leone National Team coach, Amidu Karim to take part in two World Cup Qualifying matches against Djibouti and Burkina Faso.

“Proud to have been included in the Sierra Leone squad for the World Cup Qualifiers against Djibouti and Burkina Faso,” Davies reacted to the news on his Instagram page.

Born in Leytonstone, United Kingdom, Davies made 3 appearances for the England U-21 squad between 2006 and 2007 before switching allegiances in 2023 in an international friendly against Somalia in Morocco.

“I thought the opportunity to represent the country of my father’s birth has passed but I feel very proud and humbled to have received the call,” Davies said at the time.

The 39-year-old defender currently plays for Cheltenham Town. Davies was a regular in the 2023/24 season with over 30 appearances for The Robins scoring once. Cheltenham relegated to the English Football League (EFL) Two after finishing 21 in the EFL League One in the 2023/24 season.

Davies, who recorded 164 appearances for Derby County between 2017 and 2023, 123 for Hull City between 2013 and 2017 and 89 appearances for Birmingham City between 2011 and 2013, is tipped by pundits to bring in wealth of experience to the youngsters in the Sierra Leone national team.

The Leone Stars currently sit in 4th position with one point with two matches played. Sierra Leone has never qualified for the finals but matches against Egypt and Ethiopia garnered some hope from loyal fans.