Leone Stars Draw but Fail to Qualify

Kei Kamara and the Leone Stars pulled out a draw in South Africa against the Bafana Bafana, but the point was not enough to see them through to the African Cup of Nations. Sierra Leone needed a win and a Niger loss to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1996, but couldn't find the net. Niger did their part, falling 3-0 to Egypt in their last qualifier, but the draw in South Africa saw the Mena qualify for their first ACN due to their head to head record against South Africa and Sierra Leone. The 3 teams tied atop Group G, but Niger's 2-2-0 (W-L-D) record against the other two gave them top spot as Sierra Leone and South Africa finished 1-2-1. Due to goal difference Sierra Leone finished 3rd in the group. Kamara went the full 90 minutes in the draw, only 2 days after arriving on the continent.