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By Johnny Edward.
Sierra Leone captain, Steven Caulker, is currently working on his recovery ahead of their matchday five Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria at the Samuel Kanyon Doe stadium on June 18, Saturday PUNCH reports.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool defender is undergoing Cryotherapy to be fit for the game.
Cryotherapy is the use of extreme cold to freeze and remove abnormal tissue.
In a post on his LinkedIn page, the 31-year-old wrote, “Cryotherapy! -139 degrees. Trying everything I can to recover in time for AFCON qualifiers (against Nigeria).”
Sierra Leone are currently third in Group A and will need to overturn a two-point deficit to second-placed Guinea-Bissau in their next two fixtures order to qualify for next year’s tournament in Ivory Coast.
Caulker, who is of Sierra Leonean descent through his paternal grandfather, revived his international career after switching allegiance to the Leone Stars from England.
After receiving clearance to play for Sierra Leone in December 2021, Caulker was appointed national team captain four months later and the former Wigan defender says its completely different playing for the Leone Stars.
“It’s a completely different experience and it’s a completely different feeling (to representing England), Caulker told ESPN.
“When I played for England, it’s quite sad to say that I had very little feeling.”
“Looking back, it was, of course, a great honour and was huge, you know. It’s something that I guess not everyone gets to do, so it was a huge achievement, but at the time, I guess I probably took it for granted, which is a shame in the sense that football was moving so fast; life was moving so fast.
“Playing for Sierra Leone, I’m a different person today, so I’m able to sort of embrace what’s in front of me and really enjoy the moment. I thought AFCON was incredible – just such an incredible experience for me to be a part of. Now, as captain, I’m working really hard to get us back to the next AFCON.
“We’ve got two tough games to go, but I do really believe in us and I believe that we’re building for the future. We’ve got a great squad and a really great country behind us. People don’t realise just how beautiful Sierra Leone is.”