Sierra Leone national team, Leone Stars has been ranked 18 in the 2021 AFCON rating.

Leone Stars made their third appearance in the 33rd African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Cameroon after 25 years of absence in Africa’s most popular football Competition.

However, despite mixed reactions about the team’s performance by and large, it is an unusual tournament in a pandemic ravaged period.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the world governing body for football (FIFA) were divided on what to do with the competition.

Foreign leagues, at the peak of the season, were unwilling to release their African star players for continental assignments. English Premier League (EPL) clubs only permitted players too late, while some did not, for some clever reasons. Positive COVID-19 test results have already ruled out some ace players and more should be expected as the games wore on.

But Leone Star put up a fighting chance at the rescheduled finals, given the general slur in preparation and COVID-19 effects on the entire tournament.

Besides, the Leone Stars resilience in the face of odds has, in the past, produced wonderful outcomes from seeming sloppy preparation and low rating.

Despite running out of Luck, Leone Stars reproduce resilience and hunger in Cameroun.

The Coach, John Keister is expected to qualify the team for the next edition which is scheduled to take place in 2023 Ivory Coast.