Dazzling Leone Stars rock soccer world as Cairo classic with African Champions Egypt ends in pulsating draw

Sierra Leone’s true soccer agility burst forth in dazzling style yesterday when far away in Cairo , the burial ground of the giants of Africa soccer , they tore up the form book by being forced to a 1-1 draw by Africa’s Champions, Egypt,  in a sensational African Nations Cup qualifying showdown.

As they did three years ago when they went to South Africa and left another African soccer  giant mourning a 0-0 draw in the World Cup qualifying series, the fantastic  green-white-and-blue football  gladiators from the Lion Mountains left for Cairo odds-on-losers with pundits asking how many goals they will concede in their first match of the continental encounter from a country that just participated in the World Cup.

But whatever fears Sierra Leoneans nursed for their national team evaporated when a bold, daring, determined and fascinating Leone Stars matched the much-fancied home team in skills, ball possession, passing and attacks on goal in what turned out to be a balanced, open game.

Sierra Leoneans who watched the game through Satellite , especially from Al jazeera , could not believe their eyes that their much-villified soccer side was taking the battle so magnificiently to their fearsome guests whose fans could not conceal their shock and confusion  at the Cairo National Stadium .

In Freetown, the noise and honking of horns from motorists were palpable when,  after a goalless first half, Mohamed Bangura shot Sierra Leone into a stunning lead. One of the biggest upsets in African football seemed to be in the offing and the whole city went beserk with jubilation  .Though the Egyptians succeeded in wiping off the lead within four minutes, Sierra Leone’s  desire and appetite to shake the soccer establishment hardly dissipated and they held on immaculately to emerge from this great battle unscathed with a 1-1 draw , which in the eyes of the soccer experts was actually victory for Sierra Leone, especially when it was an away match.

The lesson from yesterday’s brilliant performance from Coach Christian Cole’s Boys was never underrate the Leone Stars. They may have underperformed after the war, but the three times Zone 2 champions still have the skills and power to make their mark in African soccer. Remember that it was the Leone Stars who once denied Ghana the chance to go for to the World Cupin 1986  and they almost derailed Nigeria’s bid in 1998.

Congratulations to the heroes from the Lion Mountains and we hope the nation will go to Lungi Airport to receive them . As we predicted last month, Africa has not seen the last of the Leone Stars. Our own era of victory is coming and yesterday’s performance in Cairo must have sent out the message.

HERE IS A REPORT OF THE MATCH BY GOAL.COM

Sierra Leone have started their 2012 AFCON qualifiers in the most positive of manners by drawing away to Egypt.
A second half strike Mustapha Bangura goal was enough to allow a brave Sierra Leonean side to leave Cairo International Stadium with a valuable point. The visitors went toe to toe with the African champions who leveled through Ahmed Fathallah shortly after Bangura gave his country the lead.

Egypt got things underway in Cairo and looked to control the tempo as they so often do but it was Sierra Leone that had the first good chance of the match through Mohamed Bangura who missed Essam Al Hadhary’s frame with a volley after evading the Egyptian defense.

The Pharaohs’ first opportunity to score fell to their marquee striker and 2010 AFCON hero, Mohamed Nagy Geddo, who couldn’t guide his header on target. Minutes later, an unmarked Kei Kamara should have put the Leone Stars ahead when he was found near the penalty spot but he fluffed the precious chance.

In the 10th’s minute, Al Ahly’s center forward got in the way of a Sayed Moawwad cross that was destined for his strike partner, Ahmed Ali, who was in a good position to score. On the other end, Albert Jarrett came close to getting the opener with a powerful free kick attempt that was deviated by the defensive wall.

Egypt responded with their own set piece which was taken by Mohamed Aboutrika but the Smiling Assasin’s low curling effort was parried by the opposing keeper. However, Christian Caulker was no match to the playmaker’s next long range shot which crashed against the goal post.

As the half wore on, Egypt began to exert their dominance but still couldn’t find a path to the back of Sierra Leone’s well guarded net and the first period ended goalless.

In the second, Ahmed Fathi twice could have given his team the lead but both Christian Caulker and the goalpost conspired against him. Then, Sierra Leone made good on their earlier threats when Mustapha Bangura powered his way past two defenders before shooting straight past El Hadhary to give Christian Cole’s team the lead.

However, the Sierra Leoneans hardly had time to celebrate as Ahmed Fathallah headed in the equalizer only four minutes later. Just as it seemed that the Egyptians were about to restore order, Bangura was once again alone in front of goal but this time El Hadhary produced a fine save to deny him his second.

Both teams continued to exchange attacks with a surprising Sierra Leone managing to do more than just stay in the game. In the 87th minute, Aboutrika had a chance to grab all three points after some great work by Geddo but the Egyptian legend hurried his strike and missed completely to the ire of the Cairo crowd.

The result is an absolute coup for a deserving Sierra Leone side that was not fancied to come away with anything before kick-off and Egypt have once against begun a qualifying campaign with a 1-1 home draw after doing the same against Zambia last year.

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