19 January 2022

By Mohamed Fajah Barrie in Douala

Leone Stars captain Umaru ‘Zingalay’ Bangura has insisted that he’s determined to lead his side to the knock-out stages of the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time.

But the Xamax Neuchatel defender admits that they’re going to have a difficult match against Equatorial Guinea in Limbe in their final group E decider on Thursday.

Sierra Leone need to win to be assured of a place in the last 16.

“We’re together as one and as a team and I’m determined to lead us to the knock-out stages,” the 34-year-old Bangura told Sierra Leone Football.com.

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“But we know the only way to achieve it is to win against Equatorial Guinea.

“We know it’s not going to be easy because Equatorial Guinea are a good team having defeated the defending champions Algeria.

“The match many Sierra Leoneans had considered to be the least tough of all our group fixtures has now become the most important game for us in our group.

“We’re determined to give our best and hope to get the result that can take us beyond the group stage.”

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Leone Stars drew goalless with Algeria in their opening match before coming from behind twice to draw with Ivory Coast 2-2 in Douala.

Bangura who is featuring in his first Africa Cup of Nations finals played in both matches, and this tournament is expected to be his last for his country.

He was appointed captain of Leone Stars in 2014 replacing Ibrahim ‘Obreh’ Kargbo.