Sierra Leone secures historic final spot with resounding victory over Gambia in AFCON U20 qualifiers

Sierra Leone advanced to the final of the AFCON U20 2025 qualifiers with an impressive 3-0 victory over Gambia on Wednesday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia. This remarkable win marks the first time Sierra Leone has reached the final in the history of the competition, setting up a potentially thrilling climax to their campaign.

The Leone Stars wasted no time in asserting their dominance, opening the scoring just six minutes into the game.

Idrissa Sesay found the back of the net with a powerful header from a well-executed corner, giving his team the early advantage.

Gambia struggled to respond, as Sierra Leone maintained control throughout the first half, taking their slender lead into the break.

In the second half, Sierra Leone continued to apply pressure, determined to extend their lead and secure a place in the final.

Their persistence paid off in the 78th minute when Samuel Ghandi struck with a clinical finish, doubling Sierra Leone’s advantage and pushing Gambia further on the back foot.

As the match drew closer to the final whistle, Momoh Kamara delivered the decisive blow, scoring the third goal in the 85th minute to seal the victory and book Sierra Leone’s place in the final.

The win represents a major milestone for Sierra Leone, who have never reached this stage of the AFCON U20 qualifiers before.

Their dominant performance throughout the tournament has now set up a final clash against either Senegal or Guinea, who will face each other in the other semi-final.

The final is set to take place this Sunday, again at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, where Sierra Leone will look to make further history.

For Gambia, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, particularly after their success in previous editions of the competition.

The Scorpions, two-time champions of the UFOA A zone, had high hopes of reaching the final once again, especially after finishing as runners-up in 2022.

However, despite their experience and pedigree, Gambia found themselves outclassed by a more determined and organized Sierra Leone team.

Throughout the group stages, Gambia struggled for form, managing only two points and finishing second behind Senegal.

In the semi-final, their lack of sharpness was evident as they were unable to find a way past Sierra Leone’s disciplined defense.

The Scorpions, known for their strong performances in previous tournaments, will now reflect on their early exit and look to rebuild ahead of future competitions.

As Sierra Leone prepares for their historic final, the team and their supporters will be buoyed by their dominant showing against Gambia.

With momentum on their side, the Leone Stars will be confident heading into Sunday’s showdown, hoping to cap off their remarkable run with the ultimate prize: a place in the AFCON U20 2025 tournament.