Cameroon Host Sierra Leone as Ebola Crisis Forces Relocation
Yaoundé — Cameroon and Sierra Leone meet this Saturday at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé for their third match in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
The match, originally scheduled to be hosted by Sierra Leone, was relocated to Cameroon due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the West African nation. Sierra Leone, unable to stage international fixtures at home, are playing their “home” tie on neutral ground as a result of health and safety concerns.
For Cameroon, the encounter presents a key opportunity to take full control of Group D. The Indomitable Lions, led by coach Volker Finke, have a perfect record after two games, and a third successive victory would give them nine points and a strong grip on qualification for next year’s finals in Morocco.
Here are the confirmed starting line-ups:
Sierra Leone XI:
Morris – Dumbuya, Suma, Sesay, U. Bangura – Medo Kamara, John Kamara, Jabbie, Mila, Woobay, Alhassan Kamara.
Cameroon XI:
Ondoa – Guihota, Mbia, Nkoulou, Bedimo – Choupo-Moting, Enoh, Kom, Moukandjo – Njie, Aboubakar.
The match marks a continued rebuilding phase for Cameroon after a disappointing World Cup campaign. Captain Stéphane Mbia leads a youthful side, including forward Clinton Njie and in-form striker Vincent Aboubakar, who have impressed in the early rounds.
Sierra Leone, meanwhile, are looking to regroup amid major challenges both on and off the pitch. The squad has had limited preparation due to the health crisis, but coach Johnny McKinstry has named an experienced core, including Medo Kamara and Mohamed Bangura, as they seek their first points in the group.
Kick-off in Yaoundé is underway, with Cameroon aiming to capitalise on their home advantage—even if technically, this remains a neutral fixture.
