By: Alusine Rehme Wilson
Hannah Juana, the goalkeeper for Sierra Leone’s senior national team (Sierra Queens), has etched her name in history by winning the most individual accolades at the 2025 West Africa Football Union (WAFU) A’ Zone Women’s Cup held in Mauritania.
Her exemplary goalkeeping skills for the Sierra Queens earned her a remarkable three Player of the Match honors, in addition to being named both the Player of the Tournament and Best Goalkeeper, which contributed to her team’s historic achievement of securing their first continental title.
Juana, who stars in the Sierra Leone Women’s Premier League for the reigning champions, Mogbwemo Queens, first caught attention during the WAFU A’ group stages, where she secured two Player of the Match awards.
The 24-year-old exceptional performance included making vital saves during a challenging 3-0 loss to The Gambia, followed by inspiring her team’s comeback with a 3-1 victory over Guinea and a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Senegal, which marked the first time Sierra Leone advanced to the semi-finals of this tournament.
Fueled by the thrill of their unprecedented semi-final qualification, Juana delivered another stellar performance, making six critical saves against Mali and leading her team to a narrow 1-0 win, while also earning her third successive Player of the Match award.
The landmark achievement makes the Sierra Leonean goalkeeper the first female goalkeeper to attain three such honors in a single competition.
However, Juana’s brilliance didn’t end in the semi-finals; she continued to shine in the grand finale, where she made four key saves in Sierra Leone’s memorable 1-0 victory over Senegal.
Her outstanding contributions earned her three prestigious awards: the WAFU Cup, Best Goalkeeper, and Player of the Tournament, solidifying her place as a standout athlete in Sierra Leonean football history.
Moreover, Juana’s remarkable courage at the recently concluded WAFU A’ Women’s Cup, where she clinched several awards, has solidified her place among the legendary goalkeepers of the world.
The star goalkeeper from Sierra Leone now joins renowned figures like Diego Costa, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Lukasz Skorupski, who made their mark at the 2024 UEFA Euro, as well as Emiliano Martinez during the 2024 Copa America.
For Juana, the 2025 WAFU A’ Women’s Cup stands as the pinnacle of her soccer journey. She expressed her excitement, stating, “I am thrilled to have made history for myself and my country on a continental level. It is an honor to be recognized multiple times as a goalkeeper for my outstanding performances in such prestigious competitions, which inspires me to strive for even greater heights.”
Looking ahead, the Sierra Leone and Mogbwemo Queens goalkeeper underscores her intention to celebrate her remarkable achievements for herself and her nation.
At the same time, she is determined to aid her team in securing a third consecutive title in the Sierra Leone Women’s Premier League, with aspirations to further her career in other major leagues around the globe.