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In a decisive move to end a six-year continental drought, the Leone Stars have launched their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign with a training camp composed entirely of locally-based players.
Head Coach Didier Gomez Da Rosa opened the session at the SLFA Academy in Freetown to evaluate domestic talent ahead of crucial September qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea. The strategy allows the Portuguese tactician to build a competitive core before integrating foreign-based professionals.
Sierra Leone faces a formidable challenge in Group E, which includes DR Congo, Zimbabwe, and Equatorial Guinea. The nation, which last appeared at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, has failed to qualify for the 2023 and 2025 editions.
SLFA Vice President 1 and Technical Committee Chairman Alie Badara Tarawallie addressed the squad, emphasising that selection will be based strictly on competence and performance. Tarawallie, appointed to his technical role in January 2026, stressed discipline and determination as the team aims for a return to the continental stage.
Coach Gomez Da Rosa, who signed a two-year contract with the SLFA in mid-2026, expressed confidence in the group’s potential and urged the players to remain committed throughout the assessment process. The training initiative is designed to expand the squad’s depth ahead of the qualifying campaign.
