Sierra Leone, along with 17 other Nations, has been exempted from playing in the first round of the TotalEnergies U23 African Cup of Nations 2023 Qualifiers due to its current ranking (24) in Africa as only the 20 least ranked teams shall battle in the first rounds for a spot in the second phase.
The 18 exempted countries have automatically progressed to the second round without kicking the ball and they shall be joined by the 10 successful Nations to qualify from the first round to play a knock out from home and away matches in the second phase of the qualifiers.
The First Round (Home and Away) will play on the 19 to 27 September 2022 whiles the Second Round (First Leg/Second Leg) will play on the 21 – 23 October 2022/28-30 October 2022. The third and final Round (First Leg/Second Leg) will take place on the 20 to 28 March 2023.
At the end of the qualifiers, a total of 7 countries shall progressed to the final tournament in addition to the host country Morocco.
The TotalEnergies U23 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled in June 2023 in Morocco and will serve as qualifying tournament to the Summer Olympics Paris2024.