Leone Stars Forced to Play Against Chad Without Food

Sierra Leone’s national football team, the Leone Stars, faced more than just their opponents on the pitch during their recent match against Chad.

Shocking revelations have emerged that the players were forced to play without a pre-match meal due to financial constraints, raising serious questions about the management of the team and the use of government funds.

Team Manager Umaru Bah confirmed that the hotel refused to serve the players their scheduled pre-match meal due to late payment. “The pre-match meal was scheduled for 3 pm on matchday, and the team was scheduled to depart the hotel for 4 pm,” Bah explained. “All this was communicated to the National Sports Authority (NSA) the previous day. The NSA is in charge of finances.”

This shocking lack of organization comes on the heels of criticism from Leone Stars captain Steven Caulker, who expressed concerns about the team’s overall management following their defeat to Zambia. Caulker, who reportedly left the Chad game due to a family emergency, highlighted a lack of organization within the team and its officials.

Adding to the team’s woes, star striker Kei Kamara, who returned to support the Leone Stars, had to depart abruptly due to a call from his Major League Soccer (MLS) team ahead of the playoffs.

These incidents, coupled with the team’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Chad and Zambia’s victory over Ivory Coast, effectively dashed Sierra Leone’s hopes of reaching the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The revelations have sparked outrage and disappointment among fans and observers, who are questioning the management of the national team and the use of government funds allocated for its support. Despite significant investment from the government, the Leone Stars seem to be plagued by organizational and financial challenges, hindering their performance on the international stage.