Sierra Leone disappointment for Plymouth Argyle attacker Mustapha Bundu

Mustapha Bundu's hopes of playing for Sierra Leone at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations suffered a significant setback as they could only draw 1-1 with Chad in their penultimate match in qualifying for the tournament.

The Plymouth Argyle attacker started the 'away' game against Chad, which took place in the Ivory Coast city of Abidjan and played for 63 minutes before he was replaced by Cambridge United's Sullay Kaikai. Former Pilgrims' loan signing Tyrese Fornah also started for the Leone Stars.

Sierra Leone took a 29th minute lead through Abu Dumbuya but Chad equalised soon afterwards with their first goal in five Group G games.

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The result means Africa Cup of Nations holders, and Group G leaders, Ivory Coast have secured their spot at the 2025 finals, which will be held in Morocco at the end of next year, still with two more qualifiers to play.

The first of those is against second-placed Zambia on Friday. Sierra Leone, in third position, need Ivory Coast to win that match to realistically keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the tournament for only the fourth time in their history, and the first since 2021.

The Leone Stars would then have to beat Zambia 'at home' in the Liberian city of Monrovia next Tuesday (November 19) in their final qualifier to pip them for second spot in Group G, and book their place at the finals in Morocco. Bundu has made four starts and seven substitute appearances for Argyle in the Championship this season.

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