An Introduction to Sierra Leone
I’ve never had a reason to back a team in the African Cup of Nations until this tournament, because for the first time my club, Wycombe Wanderers, have a player in attendance — Sullay Kaikai. His inclusion has piqued my interest in Sierra Leone’s national team so I thought I’d take a quick introduction to the squad and how this tournament is shaping up for them.
In their qualification campaign coach, John Keister commonly opted for a 433-formation shifting to a 532 against stronger opposition like Nigeria. Despite the aforementioned side having by far the more reputable squad they failed to beat Sierra Leone over either tie. In the second fixture Nigeria led 4–0 before half time, a famously dangerous score line as Sierra Leone managed to comeback and snatch a 4–4 draw come the final whistle.
That undying attitude will hopefully serve them well as the group stage draw hasn’t been kind with tournament favourites Algeria and perennial goliaths, Ivory Coast, looking to secure the top two spots. Equatorial Guinea on the other hand may become the whipping boys of the group as a third place for Sierra Leone could see them advance into the knockout stages depending on the results of third placed teams in other groups. It would be the first time in their history they’ve got past the first round, but to be fair they’ve never had a Wycombe Wanderers player before.
The 28-man roster consists of 15 home grown players from The Sierra Leone Premier league, which features teams such as Anti-Drugs SSC, meanwhile the entire Algeria squad feature professional players and not a single one is based in their home nation. African football often operates behind a veil that’s only pulled back for European audiences during these tournaments. With a plethora of unknown quantities, the competition is likely to throw in some surprises.
There are a few familiar faces in the Sierra Leone squad however.
Sullay Kaikai was born in Southwark, London, before being scouted by Crystal Palace. His father was a former football player who played in Sierra Leone’s league system but never quite managed to play for the national team.
Like other Crystal Palace attackers, Kaikai is a tricky winger who likes to cut inside. He’s equally adept on either foot, and a dead ball specialist which should help target man Kei Kamara break Sierra Leone’s all-time top goal-scorer record in this tournament.
Kaikai is unlikely to be the first name on the team sheet but will likely come off the bench and provide some late game flair.
Steven Caulker is one of those players who has seemingly been around forever, yet he’s only 30 years old. The former England international (also eligible for Scotland) recently switched allegiance despite scoring in his sole appearance for England in a friendly against Sweden, aged just 20 years old. He was included in the 2012 GB Olympics football team and looked set for a glittering career showing potential at such a young age.
Jurgen Klopp signed the centre-back on loan in 2016 in order to patch up an injury inflicted Liverpool defence, he made just three league appearances during his time in Merseyside. It’s been a rough transition from a Sunday League debut at 15 years old to the big pay checks of Premier League football. In a 2017 interview with the Guardian Caulker spoke at length about the troubles he’s experienced with Alcohol, gambling and depression, leading to him considering suicide.
It’s a tragic tale that rings true for many footballers but the Cup of Nations represents a chance to move on from darker times. Caulker currently playing in Turkey will be looking to make his debut for Sierra Leone.
Kei Kamara has spent the majority of his career in the MLS with a brief affair in English football at Norwich and Middlesbrough before returning to the States. Today he’s playing for IFK Helsingfors in Finland.
Kamara is on the verge of breaking Sierra Leone’s all time goal scorer record. Just one goal shy and now aged 37 this will likely be his last dance in the tournament, one final flurry before retirement could propel Sierra Leone into the knockout stages and himself into the history books.
