Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Despite a heartbreaking defeat, the Shooting Stars of Sierra Leone garnered high praise from Morocco’s head coach, who described them as the toughest team his side has encountered in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition.
Sierra Leone’s Under-20 (U-20) team made a remarkable debut at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt 2025, although their journey ended in disappointment. Their courage and fighting spirit earned them admiration, even from their opponents.
In a closely contested quarter-final match held in Cairo on Monday, the West African side was narrowly defeated 1-0 by Morocco after extra time. A late own goal by defender Amara Keita proved to be the decisive moment, extinguishing Sierra Leone’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals and qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Despite the setback, head coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara commended his young team’s tenacity, viewing their performance in the tournament as a foundation for future growth.
“We came here with a plan, and we almost executed it,” Kamara stated in a post-match press conference. “Our objective was to hold Morocco and take the game to penalties. Unfortunately, football can be cruel. However, I am extremely proud of the boys—they demonstrated character, resilience, and the heart of warriors.”
Sierra Leone, competing in their first-ever U-20 AFCON, had already made headlines during the group stage with a stunning 4-1 victory over hosts Egypt and a gritty 1-0 win against Tanzania. Led by top scorer Momoh Kamara, they emerged as one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
Morocco’s head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, did not hesitate to express his admiration for Sierra Leone, labeling them “one of the hardest opponents we’ve faced.” “That was a very tough match,” Ouahbi remarked. “Sierra Leone made it extremely difficult for us. Their players fought for every ball; they were disciplined and brave.”
The Atlas Cubs finally broke the deadlock in the 115th minute with an unfortunate own goal, occurring shortly after Sierra Leone was reduced to ten men in the closing moments of regular time.
Coach Ouahbi remarked, “They displayed remarkable resilience and organization, proving that they belong at this level. I have no doubt they will return even stronger.”
As Morocco advances to face Egypt in the semi-finals, Sierra Leone exits the tournament with their heads held high. For Coach Kamara, this marks the beginning of a new chapter.
“This is not the end,” he stated. “It is the start of something promising. We have gained invaluable experience, and we will return home with pride. The boys have inspired a nation.”
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