Dr. Saffa Abdulai, Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has announced a significant change in the bonus structure for the Sierra Leone national football team, Leone Stars.

Effective immediately, players will no longer receive bonuses for draw matches, while the winning bonus will be increased from $2,000 to $3,000 per match.

This decision aims to place greater emphasis on securing victories.

The announcement follows Leone Stars’ goalless draw against Chad in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, held in Liberia.

With this new incentive in place, the team is expected to focus on delivering stronger performances in their upcoming matches.

Sierra Leone will face Zambia in their second AFCON qualifier at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Tuesday. The new bonus structure is intended to motivate the players as they aim for a crucial win in the ongoing qualification campaign.