President Maada Bio Congratulates Leone Stars upon AFCON Qualification

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio has congratulated, national team, Leone Stars upon qualifying for 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The President said the qualification of the national team for the continental tournament, for the first time in 25 years, is an exciting achievement for Sierra Leone’s football and assured the team of his maximum support.

“We will continue to strive for higher height, no more small dreams. When I promise, I deliver. I promised that I will take Leone Stars again to the continental stage. This did not come to me as a surprise at all. I believe the boys and I have inspired them enough in the same way I have always wanted to inspire this nation,” said President Bio.

“We are a football-loving nation, and I am incredibly happy about this. Just as we trust and believe in ourselves, even out of the football field we can also take this nation to the international level.

“Congratulations to Sierra Leone. We are a football-loving nation, and today, our boys have made history. My government is committed to promoting football and other sports disciplines.”

Leone Stars on Tuesday afternoon edged Benin 1-0 in a rescheduled game that took place at the General Lassana Conte Stadium in Conakry, Guinea.

Kei Kamara scored the game’s lone goal from the spot after 18 minutes to give Sierra Leone a vital lead that they kept till the final whistle.

The Leone Stars finished second in Group L with seven points behind leaders Nigeria who finished with 14. Benin had the same number of points as Sierra Leone and both sides had the same head-to-head results.