By Desmond Tunde Coker
The Sierra Leone U-20 national football team, affectionately known as the Shooting Stars, is set to face a tough challenge in this month’s TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Egypt. Scheduled to kick off on April 27, 2025, the biennial competition, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), serves as a showcase of young African football talent.
Beyond the tournament’s prestige, the stakes are high: the four semi-finalist teams will earn the honor of representing CAF at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. The road to glory will not be easy for the Shooting Stars, who have been drawn in a challenging group. They will begin their campaign against Zambia, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament.
With passion and pride fueling their ambitions, Sierra Leone’s young stars are determined to leave their mark on the continental stage. As they prepare to soar, fans back home and abroad eagerly anticipate the thrilling performances to come.