The Sierra Leone national team, Leone Stars started their AFCON 25 qualification in a poor fashion with a goalless draw at home to 178th placed Chad and late conceding against Zambia.

Local fans immediately took to social media to criticise coach, Amidu Karim’s tactics insinuating that the team failed to learn from the last qualification campaign in which a draw against group minnows, Sao Tome & Principe and loss against Guinea-Bissau costed the team to miss out on Ivory Coast.

Some fans are, however, optimistic about the team’s chances of qualifying gathering courage from the brilliant performance of Augustus Kargbo and Crystal Palace youngster, Hindolo Mustapha. Both players were prolific as they were able to find the net against the Chipolopolo of Zambia.

Local fans are hopeful that the Sierra Leone FA could lure in more players like Hindolo to the team by the time they play Ivory Coast in October. If the SLFA succeed in convincing these players to trade shirts for the West African nation, football there could be sustainable for the future considering their ages.

Although there are several foreign-born Sierra Leonean players, we have trickled down the list to five of the very best that could help bolster this Leone Stars team not only now but for the foreseeable future.

  1. Abu Kamara:

Kamara was born in Lambeth in 2003 to Sierra Leonean parents. The 21-year-old recently signed for English Football Championship side, Hull City where he debuted on Friday evening in a 2-nil loss to Sheffield United. The 6-feet striker netted eight goals for Portsmouth last season while on loan from Norwich City. Although this player has made his debut for the England U-20, the Leone Stars could still lure him.

  1. Amara Nallo:

Social media went berserk when 17-year-old Amadu Nallo was named on the bench for Liverpool’s final match last season. Nallo, who plays centre back for Liverpool’s U-21, was born in the UK to Sierra Leonean parents. With Caulker at the final days of his career, this youngster could be a good long-term replacement for the veteran.

  1. Ismeal Kabia:

This Arsenal U-21 winger is known for dazzling skills and electrifying pace. Kabia was born in the Netherlands to Sierra Leonean parents and has just graduated from the U-18 to U-21 after penning a new deal at the Emirates.

  1. Aaron Kamara

Born in the UK, this 16-year West Ham United U-18 is a box-to-box midfielder. The youngster has been a formidable team player since joining the Hammers’ academy from Southend U-14. Just imagine Kamara-Hindolo partnership in the future.

  1. Jaydon Kamason

Jaydon Dejon Kamason won the U-18 Premier League with Manchester United while playing as right-back last season. This 17-year-old is well-known among his peers as an attacking side-back as well as a defensive rock. Kamason could be a perfect replacement for Osman Kakay in the future.