Shooting Stars Receive Islamic Blessing Ahead of U-20 AFCON Debut
Sorie Abubakar The Sierra Leone U-20 national football team, the Shooting Stars, received a special Islamic blessing on Friday, April 18, ahead of their historic appearance at the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The prayer ceremony took place at Masjid Tunkara in Freetown and was led by Sheik Umaro Farouk Bah. In his sermon, Sheik Bah encouraged the young players to rely on their faith, remain disciplined, and represent Sierra Leone with pride.
Prayers were offered for the team’s safety, success, and spiritual strength as they prepare for their debut in the prestigious tournament.
Key officials from the Sierra Leone Football Association, including Vice President Harold Nat-Johnson, Executive Committee Member Brima Jalloh, and Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh, also attended the ceremony and joined the team for Juma prayers.
The Sierra Leone U-20 team qualified for the junior AFCON Competition after reaching the final of the WAFU U-20 tournament in Liberia last year.
Their first match will be against Zambia on Sunday, April 27 — a date that also marks the nation’s 64th Independence anniversary. The team is set to leave for Cairo on Wednesday, April 23.