Sierra Leone emerges as a serious contender for top spot in Group A at AFCON U20

On Wednesday, they shocked the hosts Egypt, coming back from a goal down to beat them 4-1 at the Suez Canal Authority stadium in Ismailia. 

Egypt led 1-0 at halftime, but in the second half, it was an Ibrahim Kamara show, as he went on to score a hat-trick. 

The 19-year-old says they are not in this tournament to make up the numbers.

"Playing against the hosts is always difficult, but when we got back to the dressing room after the first half, we motivated ourselves to deliver a comeback win," said Kamara.

READ: Amajita edge past resilient Tanzania to claim first vital three points at the AFCON U20

After finding themselves on the back foot in the first half, the junior Lone Stars returned strongly in the second half, as the West Africans’ head coach, Mohamed Lamin Camara, explains how they destroyed the hosts in the second half, including his passionate but tough words to his boys. 

"I said to the boys at halftime that if we lose this match, it's entirely possible that we will be going back home, having failed our mission and the people of Sierra Leone," said the team's head coach. 

Sierra Leone has a combination of players, based on the continent, and overseas, including one at the Arsenal reserves and some playing in the USA’s Major League Soccer (MLS). 

Kamara has also had a short stint in Portugal and wants to make a big impression in this tournament.

The West Africans are Amajita’s next opponents on Tuesday, but first, they come up against Tanzania at the same venue tomorrow. 

Coach Lamin Camara says Group A is becoming wide open now.