Sierra Leone’s national football team, Leone Stars have started intensive training with 40 home-based players ahead of their crucial 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe next month.

The training organized by head coach, John Keister commenced on 27th February 2023 at the Murray Town Playing Field in Freetown.

The training marks the commencement of technical preparations for the double encounter against Sao Tome in the TotalEnergies AFCON qualifiers.

Following a shift in the fixtures owing to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in December last year, Leone Stars have been scheduled to host São Tomé on Wednesday 22 March 2023, with the return leg expected to be played 48 hours later.

Leone Stars must win the upcoming two matches in March if they are to stand a chance to qualify for the AFCON competition for the fourth time.