SIERRA Leone head coach John Keister has included 11 players based abroad in his 25-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash against the Super Eagles.
The Leone Stars host the Super Eagles at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia on Sunday needing a win to stay in contention for a ticket to the African showpiece in Cote d’Ivoire next January and February.
Keister had called up a provisional squad of 38 players two weeks ago but cut the number down to 25 today after some days in Bo City.
The overseas-based players include Steven Caulker, the 31-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool defender who now plays for Wigan in the English Championship.
Also in the squad are 20-year-old Middlesbrough U-21s midfielder Kamil Conteh, 23-year-old Crotone of Italy forward Augustus Kargbo and 26-year-old winger Mustapha Bundu of FC Andorra in Spain’s second tier.
The squad travelled today from Bo City to Monrovia, about 280 kilometres across the border between Sierra Leone and Liberia, to finalise preparations for the win-or-bust encounter.
The Leone Stars are hosting Nigeria in neighbouring Liberia because Sierra Leone does not have a suitable ground approved by the Confederation of African Football for international fixtures.
Nigeria are second in qualifying Group A but have a game in hand on leaders Guinea-Bissau and will return to the top of the standings with a win or draw on Sunday.
Sierra Leone, who are currently third in the group, have to win to retain a chance of advancing to the 2023 AFCON.
