The head Coach of Leone Stars John Kiester was recently caught between the devil and the deep blue Sea in terms of release his final 28-man squad for AFCON.

Though the bucks stop at the coach, many believes he made a painful decision by dropping Four Key players that should have made it to AFCON.

There have been mixed feelings amongst fans since the release of Leone Stars 28-man squad.

There are four key Players some football pundits suggesting that they should have been part of the final Squad.

  1. Abu Bakarr Samura

Abu Bakarr Samura, many football fans have been questioning the rationale behind Coach John Kiester refusal to include the Center back as part of his final AFCON list.

Samura is a player Kiester introduced as a perfect replacement for Leone Stars captain, Umaru Bangura as a result of injury blow during the AFCON qualifiers against Nigeria.

The Center has proved his doubting Thomases wrong because he was able to stop prolific Super Eagles Strikers like Ihenacho and Chukwueze from penetrating the Leone Stars Defence during the AFCON qualifiers.

Ironically, John Kiester has been using the center back as his first choice since his introduction in the AFCON qualification matches and his recent international friendly matches. Many believe this was happening because of the Player’s consistency and composure in the field of play.

Though the coach knows his players better, however, some analyst considers the coach decision as a blow to the Leone defense for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.

  1. Alie Sesay

Alie Seay is a professional Footballer who plays as a defender for Indonesian Club Persebaya Surabaya. In a recent interview with SLFA media team, he stated that he was born in England to Sierra Leonean parent.

Sesay further stated that he made his debut for the national team in 2014.  He however maintains positive Spirit despite being left out of the Leone Stars squad to AFCON because he believes players in the squad are competitive because it is their livelihood.

“Everyone is upset and I’m upset myself but Nevertheless I’m a professional I have a Job to do and I cannot blame any of my team mates”

He considers helping and supporting his teammates that have been selected as Paramount to him as of now. He also stated that he is getting some help in preparation to his additional games with his current club.

He expressed his heartfelt wishes to the team and hope they can show the world what Sierra Leone can do as underdogs.

  1. George Kweku Davies

George Kweku Davies is a 25-year Sierra Leonean footballer who plays for being Austrian Club St Polten as a left midfielder.

Davies has played youth football in Sierra Leone, Ghana and England for FC Johansen, Right to Dream Academy and Manchester City.

After receiving his first call up to the Sierra Leone national team in August 2012, Davies made his Senior international debut in 2013.

He was part of the Leone Stars squad against Comoros in Turkey.

  1. Augustus Kargbo

Augustus Kargbo is Sierra Leonean football player who plays in Italy for Crotone. Kargbo has made appearance in the Italian Serie A in 2020 before returning to Reggiano on a new loan in 2020

Augustus had his first debut for the Sierra Leone national football team on 6th October 2021 in a friendly against South Sudan in Morocco. Kargbo has been part of Leone Stars recent friendly matches in Morocco and Turkey.

Base on the coach discretion he was left out of the Leone Stars Squad.