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Sierra Leone coach John Keister alleges death threats ahead of AFCON

Sierra Leone coach John Keister has said he received death threats before naming his squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Keister revealed he reported two threats to authorities in Sierra Leone. The threats reportedly centred around the inclusion of certain players.

"I think it's very, very sad that it has to come to this," Keister told BBC Sport Africa.

"Whatever walk of life you are in, nobody deserves that.

"I don't think it should get to that point where my life is being threatened because people feel players should be in the squad -- and if they are not, this is what they are going to do.

"We have come a long way so there's no reason for the death threats.

"I've got family, I look after these boys and I have a job to do. It gets me angry and for me, where I have come from and my background, I feel there is something I need to do about it.

"Regardless of the job, I need to do something about it."

This is Keister's second stint as the west African country's national coach. He worked with the side in 2000-2002 as well.

Sierra Leone will face reigning champions Algeria, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea in Group E at AFCON, which starts in Cameroon on Jan. 9.

Sierra Leone AFCON squad

Goalkeepers: Mohamed N Kamara (East End Lions, Sierra Leone), Ibrahim Sesay (Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone), Isaac Caulker (FC Kallon, Sierra Leone).

Defenders: Yeami Dunia, Saidu Mansaray (both Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone), Osman Kakay (QPR, England) Kevin Wright (Unattached), Steven Caulker (Gaziantep, Turkey), David Sesay (Wealdstone, England), Umaru Bangura (Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland), Daniel Francis (Rot Weiss Ahlen, Germany).

Midfielders: Mohamed Kamara (Unattached), John Bankole Kamara (Kesla, Azerbaijan), Abu Dumbuya (East End Lions, Sierra Leone), Saidu Bah Kamara, Prince Barrie (both Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone), Kwame Quee (Vikingur Reykjavic, Iceland), Saidu Fofana (FC Kallon, Sierra Leone), Issa Kallon (SC Cambuur, Netherlands), Idris Kanu (Peterborough United, England), Alhassan Koroma (Real Balompedica Linense, Spain).

Forwards: Musa Noah Kamara (Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone), Augustine Williams (LA Galaxy, USA), Mustapha Bundu (AGF, Denmark), Alhaji Kamara (Randers, Denmark), Sullay Kaikai (Wycombe Wanderers, England), Mohamed Buya Turay (Henan Songshan, China), Kei Ansu Kamara (HIFK, Finland).

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