SIERRA LEONE
There was much controversy about Sierra Leone’s qualification for the Cup of Nations finals – their first appearance since 1996.
The COVID officer at their last qualifier at home to Benin – where they had to win but their visitors needed only avoid defeat – declared that key Benin players had failed their PCR tests and could not play. Benin then refused to take to the field in protest.
Amid the COVID-19 testing row, which saw another proposed clash of the two nations postponed, the game was rescheduled for a third time in June – and Sierra Leone won 1-0 to qualify for only the third time.
They will be expected to be one of the first casualties of the tournament in Cameroon.
KEY PLAYER
Yayah Kallon broke through in Genoa’s first team at the start of the season and kept his place in the side and, although still only 20, could provide the quality that the Leone Stars need – although his refugee status in Italy needs to be sorted first before he can travel.
THE COACH
Manchester-born John Keister played in the lower reaches of the Football League as well as coaching at non-league Margate. He kept in touch with his roots in Sierra Leone though, and is now in his second spell as national coach.