Nigeria vs Sierra Leone: We can hurt Eagles, says coach Kiester

.Unveils 14 foreign pros in 23-man squad

 By Akeem Lawal

SIERRA Leone Head coach John Kiester is confident he has enough firepower in his squad that can upset Nigeria in the double header Cameroon 2021 Total Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.

 

The Super Eagles will take on the Leone Stars at the newly renovated Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Friday, while the reverse fixture takes place at the National Stadium Freetown on Tuesday, November 17 with victory for Nigeria guaranteeing them a place in the 2022 Afcon.

 

Kiester, who named 14 foreign based players in his 23-man squad, admitted that he will be facing a tough side, while also expressing confidence and determination to secure maximum points against the three-time African champions.

 

“I want the nation to be positive about the outcome from the first leg,” he remarked during a press conference as quoted by cafonline.com.

 

“The team’s rebuilding process starts now, and I’ve put together some of the best players to upset the Nigerians,” he added.

 

Major highlight of the squad includes USL Championship joint top scorer Augustus Williams who will be eyeing his international debut, besides Anderlecht striker Mustapha Bundu.

 

Former AC Millan midfielder Rodney Strasser who now plays for Turun Palloseura, Randers forward Alhaji Kamara and 32-year-old Mohamed “Medo” Kamara return to the squad. Forward Kei Kamara (36) made a U-turn on his retirement from international football as was announced last November.

 

FC Kallon’s goal machine Hassan Milla Sesay and teammate Emmanuel Samadia join China based striker Mohamed Buya Turay, US based Mustapha Dumbuya and Orebro SK left back Kevin Wright as they rejoin regular suspects as Skipper Umara Bangura and Iceland Based winger Kwame Quee.

 

Sierra Leone trail Group L with a lone point following a 1-1 home draw with Lesotho and 1-0 away defeat to Benin.

 

Friday’s encounter will mark the fifteenth meeting between the two West African Nations in competitive and friendly internationals. Sierra Leone has won two, lost nine and drew three of their games with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Mohamed N. Kamara (East End Lions), Unisa Conteh (FC Johansen), Issac Caulker (FC Kallon)

Defenders: Umaro Bangura (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Alie Sesay (Zira FK, Azerbaijan), Yeami Dunia (East End Lions), Kevin Wright (Orebro SK, Sweden), Osman Kakay (Queens Park Rangers, England), Mustapha Dumbuya (Tampa Bay Rowdies, USA), Abubakar Samura (Unattached),

Midfielders: Hassan M. Koroma (FC Kallon), Mohamed Medo Kamara (FC Haka, Finland), John Kamara (Kesla, Azerbaijan), Rodney Strasser (Turun Palloseura, Finland), Prince Barrie (Bo Rangers)

Forwards: Emmanuel Samadia (FC Kallon), Kei Kamara (Minnesota United, USA), Kwame Quee (Vikingur Reykjavik, Iceland), Mohamed Buya Turay (Hebei Fortune, China), Alhaji Kamara (Randers, Denmark), Mustapha Bundu (Anderlecht, Belgium), Augustus Williams (Los Angeles Galaxy, USA), Alhassan Koroma (Real Balompedica, Spain).