Head coach of the Sierra Leone National U-20 team, Mohamed Lamin Kamara, has trimmed his provisional squad from 43 to 30 players as preparations intensify for the upcoming WAFU Zone A U-20 Championship.

Coach Kamara explained that the reduction will enable the technical team to work more effectively with a manageable group as the team steps up its preparations for the tournament.

The WAFU Zone A U-20 Championship is scheduled to take place in Mali in October 2026 and will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sierra Leone’s Shooting Stars will be hoping to build on their impressive performance at the previous U-20 AFCON in Egypt, where they reached the semi-finals before suffering defeat to Morocco.

With qualification for the 2027 U-20 AFCON in Ghana at stake, the Shooting Stars are expected to intensify their preparations as they seek another appearance at the continental youth championship.