Sierra Leone head coach John Keister has expressed confidence in his team ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Nigeria. The Leone Stars will face the Super Eagles on June 18th, and despite being the underdogs, Keister insists his team will not be intimidated.
Nigeria, who are leading Group A, are the favourites to win the match, but Keister is determined to give his best shot. Sierra Leone currently sits in third place in the group with five points from four matches, and they must win the match to keep their qualification hopes alive.
In a short video posted on the official website of the Sierra Leone Football Federation on Thursday, Keister said, “We are going to go there to compete. We are not going to go there and lie down. I don’t really need to let the players understand the significance of this game. I think the players themselves should understand that. They should relish the challenge of coming up against Nigerian players who are doing well overseas.”
Sierra Leone started preparations for the game in Monrovia on Thursday, and Keister is hopeful that his players can cause an upset. “We have to be confident. We have to go there and give our best. We know they are a fantastic team, but we won’t be intimidated,” he added.
The match will take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia and is expected to be a thrilling encounter. Nigeria has already secured their place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, but Sierra Leone will be fighting for their chance to qualify for the tournament.
