Sierra Leone’s coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa has named a 25-man squad for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying double-header against DR Congo, with the Leone Stars looking to revive their campaign after a difficult opening to Group E.
The squad includes a mix of established internationals and younger players based across Europe, Africa and North America, with Augustus Kargbo, Sullay Kaikai, Abdulai Juma Bah, Tyrese Fornah and Alhassan Koroma among the prominent names selected.
Sierra Leone travel to Kinshasa for the first meeting at the Stade des Martyrs on 12 November, before facing DR Congo again five days later in Morocco, where the Leone Stars will stage their home fixture because their national stadium remains unavailable for approved international matches.
The November double-header comes at a crucial point in Sierra Leone’s qualifying campaign.
Da Rosa’s side are bottom of Group E without a point after defeats in their opening two matches, while DR Congo have made a perfect start and lead the section with six points.
Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea are both on three points, leaving Sierra Leone under pressure to collect points from the back-to-back meetings.
The Leone Stars nevertheless have several experienced attacking options available.
Blackburn Rovers forward Augustus Kargbo is included alongside Sullay Kaikai of Cambridge United, Alhassan Koroma of Baniyas, Daniel Kanu of Notts County, Idris Kanu of Barnet and Alie Conteh of Inter Turku.
Da Rosa has also selected New York City forward Malachi Jones and Santigie Yusuf Sesay, giving the coach eight attacking options for the two matches.
In midfield, Tyrese Fornah, Momoh I. Kamara and Ra’ees Bangura Williams are among those expected to provide creativity and energy, while the defence is led by Germany-based Abdulai Juma Bah.
The back line also includes Osman Kakay, Emmanuel Samadia, Alpha Turay, MJ Kamson-Kamara, Sallieu Tarawallie and Mohamed Fofanah.
Da Rosa has selected three goalkeepers, with Mamadou Jalloh, Francis Koroma and Ibrahim Sesay competing for a starting place.
The first fixture in Kinshasa will offer Sierra Leone the chance to halt DR Congo’s winning start before the teams meet again in the return leg.
For the Leone Stars, the two matches could have a major bearing on whether they remain in contention for one of the qualification places as the campaign reaches its halfway stage.
