Leone Stars new coach Jose Antonio Nogueira believes he needs tough friendly internationals to prepare for his first official match in charge, against Morocco in Freetown on March 29.

He admitted that Morocco are tough opponents, and this is why Leone Stars need to have equally tough friendly matches to be ready for the Atlas Lions.

" I think Egypt would be a strong opponent and it will be good for us if we have them for a friendly in Cairo or Freetown," Nogueira said.

"Although this is my first time in Africa, I know about Morocco and its players as I used to watch them playing for their respective European clubs on satellite TV in Brazil.

"I think we will have a good match with them," he added.

Nogueira will look to Mohammed Kallon to lead the Leone Star

" As for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, [who Sierra Leone also play in the Nations' Cup qualifiers] I don't know them very well.

"I think I will have to rely on my assistants to give information about them as they were in charge when we played both teams before."

He also added that Sierra Leone had a good chance of qualifying for the Nations Cup Finals in Tunisia, although they are currently second behind Morocco in group seven.

The Brazilian arrived in Freetown last Friday to take up his duties, before being officially unveiled on Monday at the Freetown National Stadium.

He is expected to start preparing Leone Stars for the Morocco match on February 10, when the local-based players start training.