Sierra Leoneโs Under-20 national team, the Shooting Stars, have departed for Mali to participate in the ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ ๐-๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ, ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐-๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ firmly in their sights.
The tournament presents an important opportunity for the young Leone Stars to build on the countryโs recent progress in youth football and secure qualification for the next edition of the continental competition, scheduled to be held in Ghana in 2027.
Before the teamโs departure, ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐, ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ช๐ฎ๐๐, admonished the players to remain focused and committed to the task ahead, reminding them that their primary responsibility was to represent Sierra Leone with pride and determination.
He urged the players to give their very best throughout the tournament and work collectively to bring laurels back to the country. He further encouraged them to demonstrate discipline, unity, and a strong winning mentality, emphasising the importance of making the nation proud through their performances in Mali.
Sierra Leone will be hoping to draw inspiration from its previous U-20 AFCON campaign, where the Shooting Stars reached the knockout stages before their journey ended in the quarter-finals against Morocco. That experience has raised expectations and strengthened hopes that the team can once again compete among Africaโs promising young sides.
With qualification for the 2027 U-20 AFCON at stake, the Shooting Stars will be eager to make their mark in Mali and give Sierra Leonean football fans another reason to believe in the future of the national game. The mission is clear: compete with purpose, represent the nation with pride, and secure a place at the 2027 U-20 AFCON in Ghana.