The Chipolopolo are back from Liberia where they beat Sierra Leone 2-0 to seal off their qualification for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Goals from Emmanuel Banda and Kennedy Musonda confirmed Zambia as Group G table toppers ahead of African champions Coted’Ivoire
.Avram Grant’s bullets finished on 13 points while Coted’Ivoire were second with 12 points. Sierra Leone ended the race on five points while Chad had three points.
The Chipolopolo had their final training session at the venue for Tuesday’s Group G Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Leone Stars.
Coach Avram Grant and his technical bench trod through the artificial woven pitch at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia.
Already qualified Zambia will be looking to wind up the campaign on a winning note and maintain top spot in Group G ahead of African champions Coted’Ivoire.
The match will kick off at 18:00 hours CAT (Zambian time) and will be live on ZNBC TV1.Zambia tops Group G on 10 points, one better than Coted’Ivoire who have also already secured their qualification.
Sierra Leone is third with five points while bottom placed Chad who are away to Coted’Ivoire have three points. The Leone Stars play their home matches in Liberia as they do not have a CAF/FIFA certified stadium in their home country.
The Chipolopolo boys have arrived in the Liberian capital of Monrovia and set up base at the Colony Hotel.
Coach Avram Grant and his troops landed at 06:08 hours aboard a chartered flight.
Zambia plays Sierra Leone on Tuesday in Monrovia in their Group G Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Already qualified tops Group G with 10 points while African champions Coted’Ivoire are second on nine points with Sierra Leone third with five points.
Bottom placed Chad is on three points and will be away to Coted’Ivoire in their final Group G match. Zambia and Coted’Ivoire have already qualified for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sierra Leone showed dominance in the first half, creating several opportunities and controlling the flow of the game. Their hard work paid off in the 29th minute when Dumbuya found the back of the net, sending Sierra Leone into the lead and sparking celebrations among their fans.
However, Chad responded quickly, putting Sierra Leone under pressure and forcing errors. Just five minutes after Sierra Leone’s opener, Chad earned a penalty, and Thiam stepped up to take it. Calm and composed, he converted the spot-kick in the 34th minute, leveling the score at 1-1. The equalizer came with just over 10 minutes left in the first half, setting up an intense remainder of the game.
The second half saw both teams battling hard, but neither could break the deadlock. Despite a few chances at each end, the two sides played out a goalless half, with the final whistle marking a 1-1 draw.
This result means Sierra Leone now has five points, keeping them within reach of qualification, while Chad remains at the bottom of the group with only three points. The result leaves Sierra Leone hopeful, while Chad faces an uphill battle in the remaining matches.
Sierra Leone has announced a determined starting eleven to face Chad as they look to secure a crucial victory in their quest for qualification. With the stakes high, both teams are fielding strong lineups in hopes of making a statement.
Sierra Leone’s Lineup: Led by their formidable goalkeeper, F. Koroma, Sierra Leone’s defense boasts experienced players such as Jallah and Caulker, who bring solidity at the back. Kabia and Samadiya complete the defensive lineup, tasked with keeping Chad’s attack at bay. The midfield is anchored by Turay and Koroma, both known for their ability to control the tempo and create opportunities. Bundu and Dumbuya are set to provide width and creativity on the flanks, while Fornah plays a central role in linking play. Up front, Kamara leads the line, ready to seize any chance that comes his way.
Chad’s Lineup: Chad counters with their reliable goalkeeper Allambatnan guarding the posts. The defensive line, composed of Thcouplauo, Mbangossoum, Thiam, and Allarabaye, is prepared to counter Sierra Leone’s offensive threats. The midfield trio of Yeo, Hiver, and Mouanldimandji will aim to control the middle of the pitch, supporting both defense and attack. Adam and Azaz provide attacking options on the wings, and Djibrine leads Chad’s frontline with an eye on capitalizing on any gaps in Sierra Leone’s defense.
The match promises to be an intense showdown as both nations push for a much-needed victory. Sierra Leone, known for their resilience and teamwork, will look to leverage their defensive strength and midfield creativity. Chad, with a balanced lineup, hopes their disciplined defense and pace on the wings will give them the edge in this pivotal clash.
Group G in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers is set for a thrilling finish, with Sierra Leone and Zambia poised for a possible final-day showdown. Reigning AFCON champions Ivory Coast need just one more win to secure their place in the tournament and defend their title. However, Sierra Leone could shift the momentum and move close to Zambia in the group standings if they overcome Chad in a high-stakes away match on Wednesday, which will be held in Abidjan, Chad’s adopted home ground.
Adding to Sierra Leone’s hopes, 40-year-old striker Kei Kamara, the second-highest scorer in Major League Soccer history, has returned from international retirement to boost the West African side. The first leg between Sierra Leone and Chad saw a tightly contested goalless draw, maintaining the suspense for their upcoming clash. Historically, the two teams have met only three times, with each securing a win and sharing one draw.
Both Sierra Leone and Chad currently sit on two points, making this encounter pivotal for each side’s hopes of advancing. With Kamara’s leadership and experience up front, the Leone Stars are optimistic about breaking the deadlock and capitalizing on their chance to stay in contention for a spot in the AFCON.
The match, set for 7 p.m. local time in Abidjan, promises to be an intense battle as both teams fight for crucial points.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reinstated Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau into the WAFU Zone A U-17 qualifying tournament.
This decision came after a second MRI test was conducted on the players that had failed the initial test.
In a statement dispatched by the continental body today, Guinea remained disqualified as their results showed their number of failures to be higher than the required quota of three.
As per this latest development, the groupings will remain as it was with Gambia, Senegal, and Liberia in Group A.
Meanwhile, the tournament will now kick off tomorrow with the hosts Senegal to take on Liberia at 4 pm. The Baby Scorpions will face Senegal in their first game before taking on Liberia in the final group phase.
The top two will qualify to the semifinals with the finalists representing the zone in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.
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