The Sierra Leone National U-20 football team, known as the Shooting Stars, received a special Islamic prayer ceremony on Friday as part of their preparations for the upcoming CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Tournament in Egypt in 2025.

The ceremony took place at Masjid Tunkara on Main Murray Town Road in Freetown.

The team was addressed by Sheik Umaro Farouk Bah, who delivered a sermon emphasizing the importance of faith, discipline, and national pride as the young players embark on their historic journey.

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He offered prayers for their safety, success, and spiritual strength in their debut appearance at the U-20 AFCON tournament.

The entire Shooting Stars delegation, including SLFA Vice President 1 Harold Nat-Johnson, Executive Committee Member Brima Jalloh, and Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh, joined the congregation for the Juma prayer. This collective act symbolized the unity and national hope surrounding the team’s participation in the prestigious youth competition.

Sierra Leone is scheduled to play its first match against Zambia on Sunday, April 27, 2025, a date that also coincides with the nation’s 64th Independence anniversary.

The Shooting Stars are expected to depart for Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, April 23, as they prepare to compete on the continental stage. The nation is now united in support of the team as they head to their first-ever U-20 AFCON tournament.