Amidu Karim, Sierra Leone’s head coach, has provided an analysis of his team’s Group G opponents for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will begin in September.

The Leone Stars were paired with defending champions Ivory Coast, 2012 winners Zambia, and Chad.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that the race for a spot at the prestigious event will take place from September to November 2024.

With the exception of Group B, which comprises the hosts, only the top two teams from each group will advance to the tournament, which takes place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Only one other team, in addition to the Atlas Lions, will be able to advance from group B.

Reacting to the draw conducted last Thursday in Johannesburg, Karim says it will be a tough qualifying process, adding that the Leone Stars will come up against formidable opponents in their quest to make it to the tournament.

The gaffer has called for early preparations for the team to qualify for their first AFCON since the 2021 edition.

“Our group has no weak teams. All we have to do is start our preparations. I’m optimistic about putting on a good show with the team’s current form and performance,” Karim told Football Sierra Leone.

The West Africans have been to three Africa Cups: 1994, 1996, and 2021.

Sierra Leone to face Zambia for the first time since 1996

Sierra Leone is currently ranked 122nd in the world and will begin their campaign against Chad before facing Zambia away.

On match days three and four, Karim’s lads will take on the Elephants of Ivory Coast.

The last time Sierra Leone faced the Chipolopolo Boys, Kalusha Bwalya scored a hattrick, with Mordon Malitoli adding one, to give Zambia a 4-0 win at the 1996 Africa Cup.

In their most recent results, the Leone Stars picked up four points from their last two World Cup 2026 qualification matches, a 2-1 victory over Djibouti and a 2-2 draw against Burkina Faso.