Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has issued an apology to Sierra Leoneans, both at home and abroad, for the disappointing 4-1 defeat the Leone Stars faced against the African Nations Cup defending champions in San Pedro on October 11, 2024.

Abdulai emphasized that despite the loss, there is still hope for the national team as they prepare for their remaining three matches in the AFCON Qualifiers. “All is not lost,” he stated, urging fans to rally behind the team and reignite their passion and support.

“The team fought hard, and we felt that many decisions did not go our way. We recognize the challenges posed by team dynamics and home advantage,” he said. “We are determined to move forward from this setback.”

He further encouraged Sierra Leoneans to remain resilient in the face of this challenge, stressing the importance of football as a unifying force in the nation. “Football is our nation’s first love and a precious gem that brings us together. We understand how disappointing it is to lose, but we fought hard,” Abdulai added.

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The Leone Stars delegation has since travelled to Monrovia, Liberia, in preparation for the return leg of their matchup against Ivory Coast.