Undaunted Sierra Leone light up Olympic flame in Yaoundé

Cameroon crashed out of the CAF U23 Championship race at the Stage Omnisports de Yaoundé on Saturday afternoon as Sierra Leone reached the final round on away goals.

John Keister named the same squad that was held to a goalless draw in the first leg at the same venue a week ago.

The young Lions struggled to break down a stubborn Sierra Leone side in the first half hour.

Lazio midfielder Joseph-Marie Minala in photo accounted for the host lead in the 33rd min, Joseph Yanki was the architect assisting Minala.

The young Sierra Leone U23 side came from behind with a large slice of good fortune to defeat host Cameroon showing great character before they were awarded a penalty in the last minute of normal time.

Team Skipper Sorie Barrie converted the spot kick to give his side the equaliser in front of a dejected Cameroon fans.

The undaunted young Sierra Leone squad under the supervision of John Keister will now face Algeria in the third round of the competition for a place in the Senegal finals this December.

This is the first time Sierra Leone have crossed this stage of the competition.

They came very close to qualification for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona when they were knocked out in the final qualifying round by Ghana.

A total of eight teams will play in the final from 5-19 December and the top three sides will represent the continent for the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.

First-leg. Sierra Leone 0 -0 Cameroon

Second leg- Cameroon 1 – 1 Sierra Leone – Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 15 pm – Stage Omnisports de Yaoundé

Cameroon‬: Onana, Tabi, Kenne, Ambassa, Manga, Happi, Ndzie, Garita, Mfede, Yanki, Minala

Coach: Pierre Ndjili

SL-Squad: – Unisa – Saidu – Ibrahim – Abu – Yeami – Sorie Capt. – Kwame – Abubakar – Abdul – Moses – Sallieu.

Coach: John Keister

Courtesy Footballsierraleone.net

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!