By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
Leone Stars Head Coach, Sellas Tetteh has been left under a growing pressure following a 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Freetown on Wednesday.
Sierra Leone travels to Cotonou to face Benin on Sunday in match day two of the 2021 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
Lesotho is the least ranked team in Group L. Leone Stars were expected to at least beat Lesotho in Freetown and get a draw against Benin away.
Kwame Quee put the hosts in front with a 77 minutes strike. Just when Leone Stars thought they had won the game, Jane Thabantso equalized with a last minute header after Lesotho picked up a ball that should have been played as fair play.
Tetteh told Politico after the game that he was disappointed with the score line but added that it is a valuable experience for the team to take forward.
“This was a game that we should have carried for the rest of the day but for us to concede the equalizer at that time of the game is quite frustrating and disappointing. But in football matches there are bound to be situations and challenges. But as much as it happens it will also help strengthen and prepare us on our subsequent matches when such situation happens,” he said just after the game.
When asked about what he will change for the Benin game, Tetteh said he would have to make the assessments later.
Tetteh’s front line options have now been limited following the sudden resignation of star striker Kei Ansu Kamara from the national team. The team will also have to do without George Kweku Davies who was sent off after shoving a Lesotho player.
Lesotho also saw their captain, Marepe Basia sent off moments before Davies’ red card.
Ahead of the Benin game, Tetteh said, “We are also ready for subsequent challenges ahead of us. We know that in Benin we will get a respectable result.”
Tetteh’s future might be tied to this fixture. Already there are questions been asked about his team selection.
A defeat for Leone Stars in Cotonou will amplify those voices and turn them in to calls for his sacking.
Tetteh has only managed two wins in five games since his return to Leone Stars.
Nigeria is already top of the group after beating Benin 2-1 at home. Lesotho is second after their draw on Wednesday and Sierra Leone sits third whiles Benin are bottom of the group.
Lesotho will host Nigeria on Sunday in the other Group L clash.
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