Leone Stars Captain, Umaru Bangura has expressed strong determination to help his team progress to the next round of the competition.

Umaru Bangura (born 7 October 1987) is a Sierra Leonean professional footballer plays for Neuchâtel Xamax in the Swiss Challenge League and for the Sierra Leone national team. He is a central defender and the current Captain of Leone Stars.

The Central defender is poised to make Sierra Leone reach the round of 16 in their third Appearance in the African Cup of Nations.

“We are together as one and as a team and I’m determined to lead us to the Knock- out stages”, Bangura said.

Bangura’s partnership with Steven Caulker has been very productive in the ongoing African Cup of Nations. Leone Stars whom many considered as underdogs has forced the defending Champion Algeria and the Elephant of Ivory Coast to a draw.

Leone Stars is currently placed in Group E with Ivory Coast, Algeria and Equatorial Guinea. Leone Stars need to win today if they are  to keep their hopes alive to progress to the next stage of the competition.