By Zainab Joaque
Sierra Leone will lock horns with the island nation of São Tomé e Príncipe at the Estadio Nacional 12 de Julho in the first leg of the second round of the preliminary matches of the 29th edition of the CAF Cup of Nations in South Africa 2013.
Goalkeeper John Trye received a late call-up to the squad, but the question now is who will lead coach Lars Olof Mattson team in the absence of Captain Ibrahim Obreh Kargbo?
Norway-based Umaru Bangura (aka Zaingalay) and Kansas City striker Kei Kamara are two players who are sure to be in the startingline-up.
Muwahid Sesay (Ports Authority) and Alhaji Kamara (FC Kallon) are already familiar with the paralytic nerves that come with playing for Sierra Leone, while David Simbo (Sweden) and Sheriff Suma (FK Ravan, Azerbaijan) are likely to get a chance to stake a claim to be the ones to save Leone Stars in defence.
Of course all of that is something of a side show, for the really big question today is; who will be in Leone Stars squad today to face São Tomé? Speculation is rife but let’s waits and see.