Sierra Stars Crash Out of WAFU-A U-17 Championship

Sierra Leone’s U-17 boys, the Sierra Stars, have been eliminated from the 2026 WAFU-A U-17 Championship after ending their Group A campaign with a goalless draw against Mauritania on Sunday, September 13, in Senegal.

The result ended Sierra Leone’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the regional tournament, which forms part of the qualification pathway for the 2027 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.

The Sierra Stars endured a difficult group-stage campaign, beginning with a 4–1 defeat to The Gambia before suffering a heavy 5–0 loss to hosts Senegal.

The two defeats left Sierra Leone needing a victory against Mauritania to keep their qualification hopes alive. However, the team produced a more disciplined defensive performance to hold Mauritania to a 0–0 draw.

The result earned Sierra Leone its only point of the tournament, leaving the team with one point from three matches. The Sierra Stars scored once and conceded nine goals during the group stage.

Despite the team’s early exit, Assistant Captain Abu Bakarr Senesie Maya Junior provided one of the few highlights of the campaign after being named Player of the Match following his performance against Mauritania.

Sierra Leone will now turn its attention to the continued development of the players following their experience at the regional tournament.

The 2027 U-17 AFCON qualification campaign may have ended for the Sierra Stars in Senegal, but the experience provides an opportunity for the young players to build on their international exposure as they progress in their football careers.