As Sierra Leone’s national team, the Leone Stars, readies itself for a friendly match against the hosts of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), concerns have emerged regarding the training facilities following pictures of the team practicing on a dust-laden, grassless pitch.
Although the Leone Stars did not qualify for the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, they perceive this friendly encounter as a vital test ahead of their World Cup qualifiers resuming in March.
The less-than-ideal training conditions have sparked conversations among fans and observers, with images of the team honing their skills on a subpar pitch raising eyebrows.
Despite this setback, the Leone Stars remain focused on their opening game against Guinea-Bissau at the Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe on January 13.
For 2015 AFCON Champions Ivory Coast, this friendly match serves as a strategic opportunity to assess their readiness for the upcoming tournament, where they find themselves grouped with Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau in Group A.
Eager to make a significant impact as hosts and surpass the quarter-final exit from the last edition, the Elephants are determined to showcase their prowess.
The upcoming friendly clash holds added significance as the last encounter between Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast during the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon resulted in a 2-2 draw.
Both teams, utilizing this match to fine-tune their strategies, set the stage for an intriguing prelude to the much-anticipated AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast.
Amidst discussions about the pitch conditions, the friendly match offers a glimpse into the teams’ preparations and aspirations for success on the continental stage.