Leone Stars Players Receive Match Allowances Ahead of AFCON Qualifying Opener
Leone Stars Team Manager Abdul Karim Bangura says players have received their match allowances, removing a potential distraction as Sierra Leone open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Zimbabwe in Morocco.
Bangura, appointed team manager in August 2025, confirmed the payments in a radio interview ahead of Thursday’s Group E opener at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida. He said the coaching staff had prepared the squad physically, technically and mentally for the fixture.
The match kicks off at 7 p.m. GMT, according to CAF’s published schedule. Sierra Leone is the designated home team, but the fixture is being staged abroad because the Siaka Stevens National Stadium in Freetown remains under renovation and does not yet meet CAF stadium requirements.
The Leone Stars arrived in Morocco on Sept. 20 and have since trained in El Jadida. Head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa, appointed in June 2026, named a 25-man squad mixing home-based players with overseas-based internationals.
Sierra Leone will face Equatorial Guinea on Sept. 28 before resuming Group E fixtures in November. DR Congo and Equatorial Guinea complete the group. The top two teams qualify for the 2027 finals, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The SLFA has said the government could spend close to $2 million on the four upcoming qualifiers, covering allowances, bonuses, accommodation, tickets and preparation costs. SLFA General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh told Truth Media that staging matches abroad costs up to $500,000 per fixture.
SLFA President Babadi Kamara has reminded players that representing Sierra Leone carries responsibilities beyond financial rewards, urging the squad to remain united and focused on qualification.
Sierra Leone missed the 2023 and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after appearing at the 2021 tournament in Cameroon. The Leone Stars are now attempting to return to the continental competition for the 2027 edition.
Zimbabwe head coach Ramon Catala said his side had prepared properly for the fixture, telling Zimbabwe FA media that the Warriors wanted to represent their country with pride and start the campaign positively.
Zimbabwe will be without Isaac Mabaya, Prince Dube and Tinotenda Kadewere, who were ruled out through injury. Sierra Leone will be missing defender Emmanuel Samadia, who withdrew from the squad through injury, and midfielder Hindolo Mustapha.
Thursday’s fixture will be the first competitive senior men’s international meeting between the two nations, according to pre-match analysis.