Sierra Leone-Sydney have been drawn in Group C alongside Cape Verde, Senegal, Ivory Coast and South Africa for the 2026 Sydney African Cup of Nations tournament, which is set to be hosted at the Western Sydney Wanderers football complex in Blacktown.

The group has already generated interest, particularly the expected rivalry between Sierra Leone-Sydney and Cape Verde. The encounter is likely to attract plenty of attention, with both sides looking to claim bragging rights.

Another match that could produce an entertaining contest is Sierra Leone-Sydney versus Ivory Coast, which is expected to carry a friendly but competitive atmosphere between the two African communities.

Sierra Leone-Sydney will be hoping for a different outcome this time around after failing to progress beyond the group stage in last year’s tournament.

The big question heading into this year’s competition is whether Sierra Leone-Sydney can turn their experience into a deeper run: will this be a tournament of competing, or simply participating?