By Desmond Tunde Coker
Sierra Leone’s rising football star, Momoh Ibrahim Kamara, has won the Golden Boot at the recently concluded U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with four goals. His stellar performances were a key highlight in Sierra Leone’s debut appearance at the competition.
Despite the Sierra Leone U-20 Shooting Stars making a strong impression in the tournament, their journey ended in the quarter-finals after a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Morocco. A late own goal by Keita sealed their fate, denying them a historic qualification to the U-20 FIFA World Cup in Chile later this year.
Sierra Leone’s U-20 AFCON Campaign
The Shooting Stars made a remarkable debut, showing flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament. They began their campaign with a goalless draw against Zambia on April 27, followed by a stunning 4-1 victory over Egypt on April 30, one of the tournament’s favorites.
Their 1-0 triumph against Tanzania on May 3 secured their place in the knockout rounds. However, a 4-1 loss to South Africa in the group stage exposed vulnerabilities in the squad. Despite that setback, the team progressed to the quarter-finals, where Morocco edged them out in extra time.
Tournament Outcome
South Africa emerged as champions, defeating Morocco 1-0 in the final to claim the prestigious title.
Though Sierra Leone did not advance beyond the quarter-finals, their young talents showcased great potential. Football analysts believe that this squad, with further development, could bring glory to the nation in future international competitions.
With Kamara’s Golden Boot victory, Sierra Leone football fans remain optimistic about the team’s future and the prospect of seeing more national players excel on the continental stage.