Augustus Kargbo scores his third pivotal goal for Sierra Leone in his 16th Appearance

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson 

Kargbo, 24, celebrating his winning goal for Sierra Leone against Djibouti in the WCQ 2026.

A total of 31 months and 29 days have passed since Augustus Kargbo first stepped onto the national team stage for Sierra Leone on October 6, 2021, during a 1-1 draw against South Sudan that the young forward made his debut. Fast forward to now, Kargbo has proven himself once again by scoring the winning goal in a thrilling 2-1 victory over Djibouti in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.

At just 24 years old, Kargbo has wasted no time in seizing the opportunity presented to him. 

In his latest appearance for Sierra Leone, Kargbo's perfectly placed shot, found the back of Djibouti's net thanks to the assist from his captain, Osman Kakay. His game-changing goal came in the 51st minute of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers Group-A match, secured the much-needed victory for Sierra Leone who beat Djibouti 2-1 to register their first win in three of 10 games to play in the ongoing qualifiers.

The youngster's latest goal adds to his tally, making it his third for the national team, the "Leone Stars," of Sierra Leone.

His previous two goals were scored against Guinea Bissau and Nigeria during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. In both instances, Kargbo proved his worth, talent and potential by salvaging a point for his team in their 2-2 draw against Guinea Bissau and leveling the score 2-2 against Nigeria who eventually won 3-2.

However, it's worth noting that all three of Kargbo's goals for his country were scored during home matches, a testament to his ability to rise to the occasion in front of his own fans. 

Now with a total of 16 national team caps, Kargbo has consistently shown his dedication and passion for representing his country on the international stage.

Following his winning goal against Djibouti, Kargbo expressed his joy at helping Sierra Leone secure their first victory in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Looking ahead to their next match against Burkina Faso, Kargbo emphasizes the importance of "staying focused and building on their recent success."

As a rising star who recently led Cesena FC to victory in the Italia Serie-C League Cup, Kargbo's nine goals and 10 assists in 31 appearances have caught the eye of many. 

Undoubtedly, his impressive performances on both the club and international levels speak to his potential as the future of Sierra Leone's forward line.