Author: Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone U-17 Girls Stunned by Benin in 2026 World Cup Qualifier
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone U-17 Girls Stunned by Benin in 2026 World Cup Qualifier

Sierra Leone’s Under-17 female team faces a daunting challenge in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup African qualifiers after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Benin in Monday’s first-leg clash in Lome, Togo.

The young Sierra Queens were punished by a clinical Benin side at the Kegue Stadium, with Romaine Gandonou striking in the 16th and 67th minutes while Diane Dogbe added a second-half goal in the 57th minute to hand the Young Amazons a commanding advantage.

Head Coach Fatmata “Taribo” Turay’s side struggled to contain Benin’s attacking pressure despite moments of resilience, leaving Sierra Leone with a mountain to climb ahead of Thursday’s crucial return-leg underway at the Kegue Stadium.

The defeat puts West African teams on the brink of elimination, meaning the Sierra Queens must produce an extraordinary comeback to keep their hopes of reaching the next stage of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup alive.

Sierra Leone U-17 Girls Eye Historic World Cup Spot
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone U-17 Girls Eye Historic World Cup Spot

Sierra Leone’s U-17 girls are now just one step away from securing a historic place in the final qualifying phase of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup African qualifiers after edging past Cote D’Ivoire in a tense first-round encounter last month.

The young Sierra Queens advanced with grit and determination, keeping alive the nation’s dream of reaching the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, to be staged in Morocco from October 17 to November 7 this year.

With the first hurdle cleared in April, Sierra Leone is in good sharp ready to handle Benin in the second round of the African qualifiers, a tie that could move them within touching distance of the last eight and closer to an unprecedented World Cup appearance.

The first leg will be played on Monday, May 25, at the Kegue stadium in Lome, before the return leg on May 29, 2026, at the same venue, where Sierra Leone will seek to finish the job and continue their remarkable campaign.

Across the continent, 16 nations, including Sierra Leone, remain in contention, as Africa’s rising stars battle for qualification to the global showpiece. While traditional powerhouses such as Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and South Africa once again dominate the headlines, Sierra Leone’s emergence has become one of the competition’s most compelling stories.

The West African football-loving nation’s U-17 Women’s team, led by Fatmata “Taribo” Turay as head coach, has so far shown resilience and tactical discipline in the qualifiers, qualities that proved decisive against their Ivorian counterparts last month and could again be crucial against Benin in the coming days.

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup African Qualifiers second round will begin on Friday, May 22, with an East African derby between Uganda and Kenya in Kampala, while Senegal hosts Cameroon in another crucial tie.

The following day, continental giants Nigeria will travel to Abidjan to face Guinea, while Ghana will welcome Liberia in Accra, and Tanzania hosts South Africa in Zanzibar in another highly anticipated clash. 

For Sierra Leone, however, the spotlight will firmly remain on their showdown with Benin, a contest carrying the weight of national expectation and the possibility of another landmark achievement for women’s football in the country.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup African Qualifiers – Full Second Round Fixtures:

First Legs

  • ● Uganda vs. Kenya — 22 May, Kampala
  • ● Senegal vs. Cameroon — 22 May, Dakar
  • ● Tanzania vs. South Africa — 23 May, Zanzibar City
  • ● Zambia vs. DR Congo — 23 May, Ndola
  • ● Ghana vs. Liberia — 23 May, Accra
  • ● Guinea vs. Nigeria — 23 May, Abidjan
  • ● Ethiopia vs Burundi — 24 May, Addis Ababa
  • ● Benin vs. Sierra Leone — 25 May, Lome

Second Legs

  • ●Sierra Leone vs. Benin — 29 May, Lome
  • ●Kenya vs. Uganda — 30 May, Nairobi
  • ● Burundi vs. Ethiopia — 30 May, Bujumbura
  • ● Cameroon vs. Senegal — 30 May, Yaounde
  • ● Liberia vs. Ghana — 30 May, Paynesville
  • ● DR Congo vs. Zambia — 31 May, Lubumbashi
  • ● South Africa vs. Tanzania — 31 May, Tshwane
  • ● Nigeria vs. Guinea — 31 May, Ikenne
Mighty Blackpool and East End Lions Storm Into Sierra Leone FA Cup Final
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Mighty Blackpool and East End Lions Storm Into Sierra Leone FA Cup Final

Sierra Leone’s football season is set for a dramatic climax after traditional giants Mighty Blackpool and East End Lions advanced to the final of the 2026 Orange Sierra Leone FA Cup following a thrilling semifinal weekend in Freetown.

Mighty Blackpool FC sealed their place in the final on Saturday evening after overcoming ambitious newcomers Abacha City FC 4-3 in a penalty shootout at the SLFA Academy Playing Field following a tense goalless draw in regulation time.

The victory kept Blackpool’s hopes alive for another major domestic honour and underlined the club’s resilience in one of the most unpredictable FA-Cup campaigns in recent years.

Twenty-four hours later, East End Lions FC joined their long-time rivals in the grand finale after edging FC Kallon 1-0 at the Approved School Playing Field.

The decisive moment came just before halftime when forward Innocent Emmanuel Uduk struck in the 43rd minute, sending the “Killers” into celebration and crushing FC Kallon’s hopes of reaching the final.

FC Kallon’s exit added another dramatic twist to this year’s tournament since they had emerged as one of the favourites after eliminating defending champions Bo Rangers FC in the quarterfinals, a result that shocked many followers of Sierra Leonean football.

Instead, the competition will now culminate in a blockbuster clash between two of the country’s most successful and passionately supported clubs.

The final is expected to rekindle one of Sierra Leone’s fiercest football rivalries, with Mighty Blackpool nicknamed as the “Tis-Tas Boys” and East End Lions alias “The Killers,” preparing to battle for national supremacy and the right to be crowned 2026 Orange Sierra Leone FA-Cup champions.

As football enthusiasts across the country anticipate a charged atmosphere for the showdown, which promises a fresh chapter in the historic rivalry between the two Freetown-based clubs, the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has confirmed to Football Sierra Leone that an official date for the 2026 Orange Sierra Leone FA-Cup final is yet to be announced, noting that details will be communicated in due course.

Four Clubs Battle for Sierra Leone FA Cup Title as Continental Race Intensifies
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Four cubs battle for Sierra Leone FA Cup title as Continental race intensifies

The race to the 2026 Sierra Leone Orange FA Cup reaches a decisive stage this weekend as four of the country’s top football clubs battle for places in the grand final and a coveted ticket to continental football.

Historic sides and emerging contenders, namely East End Lions, FC Kallon, Mighty Blackpool, and Abacha City, will clash in two high-stakes semifinal encounters as the competition enters its final stretch.

The first contest is against Mighty Blackpool and Abacha City on Saturday, May 16, at the SLFA Academy Field in Freetown, with a kickoff scheduled for 4:15 p.m. The second semifinal will follow on Sunday at the Approved School Playing Field, where FC Kallon will take on East End Lions at the same time.

All four clubs have navigated difficult paths to reach the last four of Sierra Leone’s premier knockout football competition.

Abacha City booked their semifinal place after overcoming SLIFA FC, Kabala City and Old Edwardians in a spirited cup run that has established them as one of the tournament’s surprise packages.

East End Lions, which stands taller as one of Sierra Leone’s most decorated football clubs, advanced by defeating Chico Meyers, Diamond Stars and Star Sports Academy, continuing their pursuit of another major domestic title.

Mighty Blackpool, another traditional powerhouse from Sierra Leone with a richer football history, secured victories over Yamabatu Stars, Marampa Stars and Freetown City to keep their cup ambitions alive. FC Kallon, meanwhile, produced one of the tournament’s standout moments by eliminating defending champions Bo Rangers FC after earlier wins against AI-Kallon and Ram Kamara FC.

Beyond a place in the final, this year’s semifinals carry enormous significance as the eventual 2026 Sierra Leone Orange FA-Cup winners will claim Sierra Leone’s sole qualification spot for the next edition of the CAF Confederation Cup, which is dubbed as Africa’s prestigious secondary club competition.

With domestic glory and continental qualification at stake, expectations are building for an intense weekend of football as Sierra Leone’s surviving contenders fight to keep their silverware dreams alive.

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/2055548061632368820

Fines levied as Lions awarded FA Cup victory after crowd violence halts crunch tie
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Fines levied as East End Lions awarded victory after crowd violence halts crunch tie

 The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has awarded East End Lions FC a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Orange FA Cup after crowd violence and disorder forced the abandonment of their controversial quarter-final clash against Star Sport Academy.

In a disciplinary ruling issued on Wednesday, May 13, the local football federation confirmed that the match, played at its Academy Field on May 3, was abandoned in the 86th minute following violent scenes that included a pitch invasion and clashes involving individuals linked to both clubs.

After reviewing match officials’ reports, witness accounts and video evidence, the FA Cup Disciplinary Committee ruled that Star Sport Academy forfeited the fixture, allowing the 2-1 scoreline in favour of East End Lions to stand.

The decision sends East End Lions into the semi-finals while triggering a series of sanctions against officials and players of both clubs over their roles in the disturbances.

A fine of NLe 5,000 equals USD 218, has been levied on Star Sport Academy, while their Chief Executive Officer, Samba Kanu, received a six-match suspension plus a fine of NLe 8,000 equals USD 348, for allegedly inciting the unrest. Players Abdul Budu Kamara and Abu Bakarr A. Kamara have each been handed three-match bans and fined NLe 2,000, which equals USD 87, for violent conduct during the incident.

The disciplinary committee also sanctioned East End Lions FC, imposing a fine of NLe 5,000 equals USD 218, on the club for failing to control supporters found to have participated in the disorder.

The local football federation further warned clubs, officials and supporters that future incidents of misconduct could attract stiffer punishments, including possible exclusion from competitions, and stressed that all fines must be settled before the next official fixtures of the respective clubs.

While the incident has reignited concerns over crowd management and matchday security in Sierra Leonean football as domestic competitions continue to gain wider regional and international attention, and the ruling underlines the FA’s increasingly hardline approach against violence and indiscipline in the game, they should, however, double up on their violence prevention mechanisms on match days without delay.

However, with the semi-final dates yet to be confirmed,  East End Lions are expected to face FC Kallon while Abacha City takes on Mighty Blackpool in the other last-four encounter as the race for the 2026 Sierra Leone Orange FA Cup intensifies.

Kallon reapplies for Leone Stars job amid global race for top coaching role
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Mohamed Kallon seeks a return as Sierra Leone national head coach

Former Leone Stars head coach Mohamed Kallon has officially confirmed that he has reapplied for the position of head coach of Sierra Leone’s senior national men’s football team following the close of applications announced by the Sierra Leone Football Association.

His confirmation comes a few hours after the SLFA disclosed on Wednesday, May 12, 2026, that it received a total of 79 applications for the coveted Leone Stars coaching position, including submissions from three local coaches and 76 international applicants.

Kallon, a former Sierra Leonean International and Leone Stars skipper, who was previously relieved of his duties as Leone Stars head coach, said his decision to reapply was guided by professionalism and adherence to established procedures.

“The Sierra Leone Football Association received my application through the General Secretary and official email for the senior national men’s team head coach position,” Kallon stated.

He described the public advertisement of the vacancy as a normal administrative process, stressing that his application was part of complying with professional coaching standards.

“The advertisement of the Head Coach vacancy for the Senior National men’s team is an administrative procedure. For the record, as a licensed coach, it’s a professional standard and compliance to submit my application and credentials through the official process. This is about following procedures,” he added.

Despite his previous dismissal on April 2, 2026, and the uncertainty surrounding the selection process, the former Leone Stars striker reaffirmed his commitment to serving Sierra Leone football. “Fingers crossed. Put me in your prayers. Despite all the ramifications and challenges, I will always put Mama Salone first,” Kallon said.

Meanwhile, the announcement has already generated widespread debate among football fans and stakeholders, with many closely watching whether the former national team coach will be handed a second spell in charge as Sierra Leone seeks to rebuild and strengthen its national football ambitions.

Ascentonians FC, Malema Queens Relegated From Sierra Leone Women’s Top Flight
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Ascentonians FC, Malema Queens relegated from Sierra Leone Women’s top flight

As the league season wrapped up over the weekend, two Sierra Leone women’s football clubs, Ascentonians Football Club and Malema Queens Football Club, have been relegated from the 2025/26 Marampa Mines Women’s Premier League following their disappointing campaigns that saw both sides finish at the bottom of the standings.

The relegations confirmed on Monday, May 11, 2026, mark a bitter end to the season for the two clubs, whose struggles on both ends of the pitch ultimately proved costly in Sierra Leone’s top-tier women’s football competition.

Ascentonians endured a difficult promotion to elite football, collecting just nine points from 22 matches, the lowest tally among the league’s 12 clubs.

The Freetown-based side, which catapulted into the league two years ago, managed only two victories and three draws while suffering 17 defeats during the campaign, which they blamed on their defensive vulnerabilities after they were heavily exposed, with the club conceding 70 goals, the second-highest total in the league.

Their fellow strugglers, Malema Queens from the Eastern region, also failed to escape the drop after finishing with 15 points, after the side recorded four wins, three draws and 15 losses, while conceding a league-high 73 goals. Malema Queens’ total left them below the safety zone and a staggering 51 points behind unbeaten champions Mogbwemo Queens Football Club.

On the other hand, Mogbwemo Queens’ latest title triumph further strengthens the club’s growing dominance in Sierra Leone women’s football. However, the achievement places the two-time champions and Bonthe based club’s ahead of regional rivals Ram Kamara Football Club of Bo, last season’s league title holders.

While Ascentonians and Malema Queens now turn their focus toward rebuilding and securing an immediate return to the top flight through the Women’s First Division, Mogbwemo Queens are intensifying preparations for the upcoming WAFU A-Zone Clubs Competition.

Meanwhile, the reigning champions are set to make their second appearance in the WAFU A-ZONE regional tournament after debuting in 2024, with club officials describing the upcoming campaign as an opportunity to reaffirm Sierra Leone’s growing presence in women’s football across West Africa.

Sierra Leone mourns Victoria Conteh, the Coach who broke football’s toughest barrier
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone mourns Victoria Conteh, the Coach who broke football’s toughest barrier

Sierra Leone’s football community is mourning the death of trailblazing coach Victoria Conteh, a historic figure who shattered gender barriers by becoming the first woman to coach an elite men’s top-tier club in the country.

Her passing, which was announced by the local football federation, SLFA, on Monday, May 4, 2026, has triggered an outpouring of tributes from across the sporting world. Respected former captain of the Sierra Leone Senior National Women’s coach, (Sierra Queens), Musu Bangura, is leading the park of the poll of former players and other members of the football family in Sierra Leone.

In her solemn tribute shared on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the former Sierra Queens skipper described the late coach Conteh as “a leader, a motivator, and a true soldier of the game.” “Today, my heart carries a weight that words can scarcely hold,” Bangura said, reflecting on years of shared commitment to football.

“She didn’t just coach players, she built lives, shaped character, and gave everything to the game.” Widely known as “Coach DE COX,” Conteh carved a unique path in Sierra Leonean football.

She rose through the women’s game to lead the national women’s team, the Sierra Queens, where she was instrumental in developing talent and promoting the growth of women’s football in a system long constrained by limited resources.

Her most defining achievement came when she took charge of East End Tigers in 2019, one of the country’s top-flight men’s clubs, and made history as the first woman in Sierra Leone, and among a rare few globally, to manage at that level in the men’s game, challenging deeply rooted norms and opening doors for women in football leadership.

Throughout her bitter-sweet career, the late Conteh, who had been sick for a while before her passing, endured her recent sudden amputation to stay alive, yet didn’t abandon football.

Her continued mentorship of both players and coaches nourished her illustrious past coaching career, earning her respect not only for breaking barriers but for her tactical discipline, resilience, and commanding presence on the touchline. Players and colleagues alike credit her with instilling professionalism, belief, and a winning mentality across both women’s and men’s teams.

The former Sierra Leone Queens Captain Bangura, who is now the President of the Sierra Leone Female Veterans Football Association, said the news of Conteh’s death felt “like a final whistle blown too soon,” underscoring the shock and emotional toll of the loss.

Meanwhile, Tributes continue to pour in nationwide, with many hailing the late Conteh as a symbol of courage and progress in African football. Her career is widely seen as a turning point in the fight for gender inclusion in sport, particularly in West Africa.

As Sierra Leone reflects on her life and legacy, the late coach Conteh is remembered not only for her historic achievements but for the countless players she mentored and inspired.

Despite gone, the late coach’s impact endures in every young girl who dares to coach, in every barrier challenged, and in every game played with passion and purpose.

Although dead, the fallen coach Victoria Conteh’s legacy lives on as unyielding, transformative, and unforgettable in Sierra Leone football history, Africa and the world over.

Violence halts Sierra Leone FA-Cup clash, triggers security concerns
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Violence halts Sierra Leone FA Cup clash, raising security concerns

Last Sunday evening Orange Sierra Leone FA Cup quarter-final between East End Lions and Star Sports Academy was eventually abandoned after crowd violence erupted, prompting the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) to launch an investigation and vow firm disciplinary action.

The high-stakes match, played at the SLFA Academy Field in Kingtom, Freetown, was halted in the 80th minute amid what officials described as “disturbing scenes” that threatened player safety and undermined the integrity of the game.

In a statement issued on Monday, May 4, the SLFA condemned the violence as “indiscipline and lawlessness,” stressing that football must be governed by respect, rules, and sportsmanship.

The local football federation further warned that such incidents endanger lives and damage the sport’s reputation.

While no serious injuries or arrests have been reported, authorities have yet to determine whether the match will be replayed or settled administratively.

However, the recent incident has intensified scrutiny of matchday security and fan conduct in Sierra Leone’s domestic competitions, with sports journalists and other Football stakeholders urging stricter enforcement measures to curb what they describe as “a growing pattern of violence across SLFA-sanctioned fixtures, including top-tier men’s and women’s national leagues.”

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/2051552877286511070

SLFA Launches Global Search for Leone Stars Coach Amid Kallon Fallout
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone targets a fourth AFCON appearance as 2027 dates confirmed

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has set June 19 to July 17, 2027, for the next Africa Cup of Nations, launching a qualification race that could see Sierra Leone secure a historic fourth appearance at the continental showpiece.

The tournament, branded as “PAMOJA 2027” which means “together”, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the first time AFCON will be staged across three nations. The dates recently announced by the tournament organisers were approved by the FIFA Council, with venues for the opening match and final yet to be announced by CAF.

However, the focus now shifts to qualification, which will feature 48 teams, including Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars, who will compete for 24 places across 12 groups of four, with only the top two totalling 24 nations to advance in what is tipped to be a tightly contested campaign running from September 2026 to March 2027.

For Sierra Leone, the stakes are high, but a successful campaign would mark the country’s fourth AFCON qualification and reinforce its re-emergence in African football following its return to the tournament in 2021 after a long absence.

The 2027 edition will also mark AFCON’s return to East Africa for the first time since the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations, as CAF seeks to expand the competition’s global reach and growing audience.

With the draw set for May 19, 2026, Sierra Leone faces a defining path, one which many sports enthusiasts and supporters of the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone believe could cement the West African football-loving nation’s slot among the continent’s rising football nations.