By: Abdul Razack Gbla
Newly appointed Leone Stars head coach, Mohamed Kallon, has unveiled a 25-man squad of home-based players set to commence training ahead of Sierra Leone’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Guinea Bissau and Egypt in March.
The announcement marks Kallon’s first major squad selection since taking charge of the national team, and expectations are high as he looks to make an immediate impact. The training camp is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 18, at the SLFA Academy in Kingtom, Freetown, starting at 7:00 AM prompt.
All invited players are expected to report to camp before the commencement of training.The squad features a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents drawn from various clubs across Sierra Leone’s domestic league.
Among the notable names is striker Musa Noah Kamara, popularly known as Musa Tombo, whose return to the national setup has sparked interest among football enthusiasts.Kallon, a former Leone Stars captain and one of Sierra Leone’s most celebrated footballers, is expected to bring fresh tactical ideas to the team as they prepare for a challenging qualification campaign.
The Leone Stars will face two formidable opponents in Guinea Bissau and Egypt, making the training camp a crucial phase in their preparations.According to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), the full squad includes two goalkeepers, ten defenders, eight midfielders, and five forwards.
The goalkeepers called up for training are Alhaji Sesay of Bhantal FC and Dauda Bangura of East End Lions.In defense, the team features Abubakarr Barrie (Diamond Stars), David Janneh (FC Kallon), Mohamed B. Sesay (FC Kallon), Nathaniel Jalloh (FC Kallon), Sallieu Tarawallie (FC Kallon), Mohamed Turay (Luawa FC), Santigie Koroma (Mighty Blackpool), and Edward Bello Yillah (Mighty Blackpool).
The midfield department comprises James Kayamba (Stars Sports Academy), Mohamed P. Kamara (Old Edwardians), Mohamed Fogbawa (Old Edwardians), Mohamed Kamara (Bai Burreh Warriors), John Kargbo (Wilberforce Strikers), Mohamed Kabba (Bo Rangers), Saidu Bah Kamara (Bo Rangers), and Ibrahim Turay (Bo Rangers).
For the attacking lineup, Kallon has selected Mohamed Bangura (Bhantal FC), Suffian Kallokoh (Bo Rangers), Alimamy Buya Kamara (Wusum Stars), Musa N. Kamara (East End Lions), Mohamed A. Kamara (Bhantal FC), and Samuel Gandi (Old Edwardians).
The selection of home-based players reflects Kallon’s commitment to developing local talents and providing them with opportunities to compete at the international level. It also signals his intent to build a strong squad that can match the intensity of high-profile opponents in the qualifiers.Football fans across Sierra Leone are eager to see how the national team will perform under Kallon’s leadership, given his vast experience and deep understanding of the game.
His appointment has been met with widespread optimism, with many hoping that his tenure will bring a new era of success for the Leone Stars.
With the qualifiers fast approaching, the training camp will serve as a critical period for the players to prove their worth and earn a place in the final squad that will take on Guinea Bissau and Egypt in the coming weeks.
