Leone Stars coach says friendly against Ethiopia was a good test for his local players

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson

Following a goalless friendly encounter between Ethiopia and Sierra Leone at the Bahir Dar Stadium last Thursday, the Assistant coach-1 of Sierra Leone Senior Men’s team “Leone Stars” Amidu Karim who guided a 23-man squad dominant of home-based players against their Ethiopia counterpart says the game was a good test for his side as they heightens preparation for the 2021-TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations finals. Speaking to Awoko Newspaper, Karim said Ethiopia is a very formidable side but expressed delight that they were unable to edge his dominated home-based side, an outcome he believes is encouraging for his local players. "For a completely dominant squad of local based players to withstand such pressure from a formidable Ethiopia side in a friendly cracker is indeed bravery from our players who were also swift to adopt our game plan. Our players did prove to be devoted and very eager to deliver for the nation at all times even when there are no competitive matches in the country since April when the country’s male top tier was halted. With such performance from this set of home-based players, it is now clear that they make up a fine blend together with overseas based players for our final AFCON squad ahead of our third appearance," avowed the former Sierra Leone International and Leone stars defender. Sierra Leone is in the same group with Algeria, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea. The four nations will battle for two slots from Group-E on January 11, 16 and 20 respectively in a bid to progress to the round of 16 in Africa’s biggest male showpiece.