‘It was a big proud moment,’ Chelsea star Rudiger lauds Sierra Leone Nations Cup return

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, who is Sierra Leonean but plays international football for Germany, praised Sierra Leone’s return to the Africa Cup of Nations, adding that he felt ‘pure pride’ watching them play.

Sierra Leone had not competed at the Nations Cup since 1996. They, however, secured qualification for this year’s edition in Cameroon, where they finished third in their group.

“I think that’s very huge for every Sierra Leonean, here or abroad because the team hasn’t played in Afcon for 25 years,” Rudiger said per John Koroma YouTube channel, during a recent visit to the West African nation. “I am 28, so I was three the last time they played Afcon.

“So seeing them on TV play, I feel proud. Pure pride. And you have to support this, you have to give them all you can. It was a big, big proud moment.”

The Leone Stars played a goalless draw with Algeria in their opening game before a 2-2 affair with Ivory Coast. They failed to secure a win as they were beaten 1-0 by Equatorial Guinea in their final group stage game.