FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Head Coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa has named his 25-man squad for Sierra Leone’s crucial two-legged 2027 AFCON qualifiers against DR Congo, with three major talking points dominating the selection.

Leone Stars head into the November window bottom of Group E after a nightmare start to the campaign. Sierra Leone threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Zimbabwe in September, before falling 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea.

Now, with qualification hanging by a thread, Da Rosa has gone for a mix of experience, new blood and returning stars.

The big headlines

1. Samuel Bekoe earns his call-up

After completing his nationality switch, Bekoe is finally a Leone Star. The midfielder, who plays for Hafia FC in Guinea, is expected to add composure and control in the middle of the park — an area where Sierra Leone struggled badly in the opening two games.

2. Malachi Jones gets maiden invitation

New York City FC winger Malachi Jones has received his first-ever call-up. The USA-based attacker brings pace, direct running and a different dimension to a frontline that has lacked cutting edge.

3. Kargbo and Turay return

Augustus Kargbo (Blackburn Rovers) and Ibrahim Turay (Stjarnan FC) return after lengthy injury layoffs. Kargbo’s experience in English football could be vital, while Turay’s return strengthens a midfield that needs steel against DR Congo’s physical side.

Full squad list

Goalkeepers: Mamadou Jalloh (VPS Vaasa – Finland), Francis Koroma (Katsina United – Nigeria), Ibrahim Sesay (Alashkert FC – Armenia)

Defenders: Abdulai Juma Bah (FC Augsburg – Germany), Emmanuel Samadia (Hartford Athletic – USA), Alpha Turay (El Gouna – Egypt), Sallieu Tarawallie (FC Kallon – Sierra Leone), MJ Kamson-Kamara (Kilmarnock FC – Scotland), Osman Kakay (Košice – Slovakia), Mohamed Fofanah (East End Lions – Sierra Leone)

Midfielders: Saidu Bah Kamara (Commercial Bank – Ethiopia), Tyrese Fornah (Northampton Town – England), Samuel Bekoe (Hafia FC – Guinea), Ibrahim Turay (Stjarnan FC – Iceland), Saidu Fofanah (Wolaitta Dicha – Ethiopia), Momoh I. Kamara (IF Elfsborg – Sweden), Ra’ees Bangura-Williams (Cambridge United – England)

Forwards: Santigie Yusuf Sesay (Arsenal Tivat – Montenegro), Alhassan Koroma (Baniyas – UAE), Daniel Kanu (Notts County – England), Malachi Jones (New York City FC – USA), Sullay Kaikai (Cambridge United – England), Augustus Kargbo (Blackburn Rovers – England), Idris Kanu (Barnet FC – England), Alie Conteh (Inter Turku – Finland)

Sierra Leone will again play their “home” game in Morocco due to the CAF ban on the National Stadium in Freetown.

What it means

With DR Congo in Group E alongside Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, only the top two teams will qualify for AFCON 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Da Rosa knows the maths: Sierra Leone need at least four points from these two games to stay alive. A draw in Kinshasa and a win in Casablanca would reignite the campaign. Two defeats would all but end it.

The pressure is on the French coach, who arrived in June with a mandate to qualify. After two defeats, fans are demanding a reaction.