By alusinerehme.wilson@awokonewspapersl.com
Makeni, SIERRA LEONE – Sierra Leone’s U-20 side continued their fairytale debut at the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tanzania on Saturday, tightening their grip at the top of Group A and booking a spot in the quarterfinals.
Playing under the floodlights at the Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt, the young Shooting Stars showed grit and determination to build on their emphatic 4-1 victory over the hosts earlier in the week. The difference on the night came in the 37th minute when forward Samuel Gandi pounced on a rebound to slot home his second goal of the tournament, sending Sierra Leone fans into wild celebrations.
Tanzania started brightly and should have taken the lead in the 17th minute, but Bakari Msimu inexplicably missed from just two meters out—a moment they would later regret.
Despite sustained second-half pressure from the Tanzanian Ngorongoro Boys, Head Coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara’s side held their nerve and shape. Tanzania came close on two occasions—Jammy Seleman saw his header whisk just wide, and Ahmed Pipino’s curling free-kick struck the side netting.
Sierra Leone had a chance to seal the result late on, but captain and Man of the Match Momoh Kamara’s powerful header was brilliantly denied by Tanzanian goalkeeper Ismail Mpank.
With the result, Sierra Leone now sits atop Group A with 7 points and five goals from three matches—undefeated and mathematically assured of a quarterfinal berth. Their final group test will come on Tuesday against South Africa.
For Tanzania, it’s now do-or-die. After suffering a second consecutive loss, they must defeat Zambia in their final group match to keep their tournament hopes alive. ARW/4/5/2025
 with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tanzania on Saturday, tightening their grip at the top of Group A and booking a spot in the quarterfinals.){kind=link}