Sierra Leone Camping In Accra Ahead Of Ivory Coast Game

Sierra Leone have set up a training camp in Accra ahead of their 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ivory Coast this weekend.

This move by the country’s Football Association, is to avoid pressure from home fans as they prepare for this final qualifier.

The Ivorians will host this Group I encounter in Bouake on Saturday, September 3 and Sierra Leone need to win to qualify for the tournament next year.

Should they achieve that, itwill be the first time they have made it to the finals in 20 years.

Ivory Coast need only a draw to secure the chance to defend their title in January’s finals in Gabon.

“We are taking the team to Accra to reduce the pressure and tension from the fans at home who would like to see the team succeed in the historical match,” Leone Stars Ghanaian born coach, Sellas Tetteh told the BBC.

“In the process we’ll create a conducive atmosphere for the boys to concentrate on the task ahead.

“This is a very important match for the country and for the team of young players who have never played in the Afcon finals.

“We are going to do our best and come out of the match with our heads raised up.

Sierra Leone provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Solomon Zombo Morris (Quevilly, France), Unisa Koroma (East End Lions), Alhaji Dauda Conteh (Diamond Stars FC)

Defenders: Mohamed L. Bangura (Ports Authority FC), Umaru Bangura (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Ibrahim A. Kamara (Mighty Blackpool), Abu Kanu (FC Johansen), David Simbo (Krumkachy Minsk Belarus), Mohamed Kamanor (Unattached), Gibril Sankoh (Meizhou Kejia, China), Yeami Dunia (FC Johansen), Abu Suma (FC Johansen), Kemson Fofanah (East End Lions)

Midfielders: Prince Barrie (Kallon FC), Kwamie Quee (FC Johansen), Ibrahim Kabba (FC Kallon), Hassan Sesay (FC Lahti, Finland), Mohamed Kamara (Kuwait FC, Kuwait), Khalifa Jabbie (FC Sheriff, Maldova), Alfred Sankoh (Denizlispor, Turkey), John Bankole Kamara (Riga Latvia), Julius Woobay (Olimpija, Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Forwards: Mohamed Bangura (Dalian Yifang, China), Abdul Sesay (OPS, Finland), Sheka Fofanah (Vejle BK, Denmark) George Davies (Greuther Fürth, Germany), Donald Wellington (East End Lions), Christian Moses (Lion Pride FC), Abu Bakarr Mansaray (Old Edwardians), Ibrahim Sorie Barrie (FC Johansen)

Sierra Leone Camping In Accra Ahead Of Ivory Coast Game