In a determined bid to make Sierra Leone proud, the national Under-17 football team, known as the Sierra Stars, has embarked on a challenging overland journey to Senegal for the upcoming WAFU-A U-17 AFCON Qualifiers.

The 25-member delegation, comprising 20 players and five officials, departed from Sierra Leone on Tuesday, traveling through Guinea en route to Senegal.

Led by Chairman Brima Jalloh (BJ), the team is set to showcase their skills on the regional stage, with the tournament slated to run from October 30 to November 3, 2024.

The Sierra Stars will be guided by Head Coach John Dominic Konneh, who expressed optimism ahead of the competition. With a confident technical team behind him, Coach Konneh aims to deliver a historic performance for Sierra Leone.

The Sierra Stars are placed in Group B, where they will face tough opponents including Mali, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau. The host nation Senegal is grouped with Liberia, Guinea, and The Gambia in Group A.

Despite the challenges of traveling by road, the team is driven by a strong sense of determination and pride as they aim to secure a spot in the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-17 tournament. Coach Konneh and his staff have worked tirelessly to prepare the young squad, ensuring that they are mentally and physically ready for the task ahead.