Preview By Kabs Kanu
The countdown for mediocrity has expired and victory is our only battle cry and motivation when Leone Stars clash with Equatorial Guinea today in a history- making final Group showdown in Africa Nations Cup 21 in Yaoundé, Cameroon .
We look forward to nothing but fireworks and victory from our darling soccer ambassadors and our nation ‘s eyes are all set for the historic win that will usher Sierra Leone into the second round ——a feat that nobody would have ever dreamt us, given that we were placed in the GROUP OF DEATH that arrayed the defending Champions Algeria , two-times winners Ivory Coast ( the giants of Africa ) and a much- improved Equatorial Guinea against us. But sensational performance twice and draws with Algeria and Ivory Coast have put us on the brink of history.
Leone Stars must press home the ascendancy and beat Equatorial Guinea. Throughout the tournament, Leone Stars have shown marvelous footballing talents and we shocked the world with our bruising 0-0 draw with Algeria and battling 2-2 stalemate with Ivory Coast. But Leone Stars must hoist the green, white and blue flag even higher today in Yaoundé .
Not only did Leone Stars play brilliant soccer, but in Musa Tombo Kamara, Buya Turay, Alhaji Kamara, Kei Kamara , Steven Caulker ( the moving dynamo of the team ) , Kwame Quee , Skipper Ibrahim Zingaley Bangura and the star- of -the – competition, Goalkeeper Mohamed Nabile Kamara , we have the soccer gladiators capable of launching our country into the history books today.
The only advice I have for Leone Stars is that they must seek to convert their scoring opportunities. They create a lot of chances, but anxiety and wide shooting in vantage positions cost us many more goals in our last matches and Buya Turay must pass the ball to players in better positions to score, rather than trying to go it all alone.
If Leone Stars really convert their goal scoring opportunities, we have no reason to lose this historic match. Leone Stars must also not underrate the Equatorial Guinea side. They must face today’s battle with more determination and more renewed zeal that victory and nothing but victory shall be the outcome for them..
Equatorial Guinea pulled one of the biggest shocks of the tournament by beating the Champions, Algeria and becoming the first country to defeat them in a very long while after 36 matches. They too have magnificent players that could bring distress to Sierra Leone, if we underrate them.
Leone Stars must watch Esteban Obiang, who netted the goal against Algeria , Josette Miranda ,who provided Obiang that opportunity , No. 8 Machin Dicombo , Salvador Edu, Bassey Oubina, Mba Bicoro and winger Belima, who are dangerous on the ball.
Whatever the case, today’s match is a do- or -die for both countries but Leone Stars have the firepower to prevail
Good luck to our boys.
2Dalton Smith and Alphajor Bah
