Author: David Lebbie

Women's League Board appointment delights Mariama Mansaray.
by David Lebbie

Women’s League Board appointment delights Mariama Mansaray

Southern Region’s most experienced female football Administrator, Mariama Mansaray (FC Mama), has resoundingly expressed happiness on her appointment as a Member of the Sierra Leone Women’s Premier League Board for the 2023/24 season.

Last Saturday, among eight others, Mariama Mansaray was appointed as a board member by the Sierra Leone Football Association.

“Being a female football administrator for the past twelve years beginning with a Male team (Kobonguiw Stars) at Suku Tamba Street in Bo before being elected to serve on the Bo District FA Executive and later Southern Region FA. Now, the SLFA – show how my commitment to the game has been recognized by the different administrative cadres,” FC Mama stated.

Lots of football stakeholders have congratulated her on her appointment.

A few notable ones are the erstwhile acting Chairman of the Southern Region Football Association, Sadick Deen-Nyarkoh, who referred to her as ‘the Southern Region Football Factotum’ whilst Alimamy Sartie Past BoDFA Chairman, described her as “the Epitome of Southern Region Football.”

Her inclusion on the Board has not come as a surprise. At the moment, Mariama Mansaray is the Southern Region Female Football Coordinator.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer David Lebbie in Bo, National Football News.

APPOINTMENT OF SIERRA LEONE FEMALE PREMIER LEAGUE BOARD
APPOINTMENT OF SIERRA LEONE FEMALE PREMIER LEAGUE BOARD
Lamboi FC sank Bai Bureh Warriors 2-0.
by David Lebbie

Rangers beat Kholifa as Wusum hold East End Lions

Defending Champions Bo Rangers began its title defence with a win away to the newly promoted Kholifa Stars at the Magburaka field. 

Suffian Kalokoh scored the lone goal to mark a winning start for Head Coach John Edward Keister.

In his post-match interview, John Keister applauded his boys for the win, stating if you want to be champion, you must win difficult games. He commended Kholifa Stars’ composure and playing style. 

In his unveiling ceremony, Rangers new coach pleaded with management and fans to be patient and collaboratively work for the team’s success.

Kholifa Stars head Coach Hassan Maddie Conteh has promised to work hard as he plans ahead of their next match.

In the days’s other encounters, Mohamed Lamin boys Wusum Stars share the spoils with giant East End Lions 1-1 at Trade Center Field in Freetown. 

The northern Rock took the lead from a penalty kick through Adbul Bagira before the Lions swiftly responded after the break from an Abdul Nyamekye goal. 

Kahunla Rangers of Kenema received a tough introduction to the premier league with a 2-0 defeat in Freetown to Water Front Boys Ports Authority. 

Mohamed Bangura’s 34th and Lansana Thoronka’s 58th-minute goals sealed the Waterfront boy’s home win.

Diamond Stars played a goalless draw against Bhantal as Lamboi FC (In Photo) sank Bai Bureh Warriors 2-0. Wilberforce Strikers rallied a 1-1 draw with FC Kallon at the Angola playing field. 

Freetonians SLIFA, Luawa, Lamboi, Ports, and Bo Rangers all registered opening wins on three points.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer David Lebbie in Bo, National Football News and Premier League. 

Bo Rangers win maiden Sierra Leone Community Shield
by David Lebbie

Bo Rangers beat Blackpool to lift Community Shield

Ten-man Bo Rangers defeated Mighty Blackpool to start the 2023/24 season with silverware as they bookmarked their third accolade in two seasons after a back-to-back Sierra Leone Premier League title. 

Skipper Saidu Bah Kamara scored a 55th-minute close-range header to give Bo Rangers their first silverware – the Sierra Leone Community Shield as they defeated Western giant Mighty Blackpool on Saturday.

In a parked Southern Areana in Bo City, the goal came through Abass Kamara’s perfect set piece at the edge of the Tis Tas boy’s penalty box, converted by Kamara in the second half.

Rangers defender Eshike Kamara was sent off for a reckless challenge on Blackpool forward in the 67th minute. However, Rangers held on with a classic performance.

Assistant Coach Kabineh Kamara was pleased with his performance and attitude towards the victory.

“We are all excited about the victory becasue it was a difficult match, but we planned and prepared for the win. Blackpool is a very good side and we as defending champions, we must always find a way to win against the best teams.”

On leading his side to the victory, Kabineh stated, “It is a record and big achievement that has been added to my career and the team as well.”

The head coach of Mighty Blackpool, Alusine Bala Kargbo, appreciated his team’s performance despite the defeat.

“Bo Rangers is a team that is returning from continental competition (CAF Champions League) holding them this way shows how solid our team is.”

Coach Kargbo also noted that his side was without five starting players. However, they introduced five new players in Today’s match as they continued the rebuilding process.

The Sierra Leone Community Sheild contest will be a traditional curtain-raiser between the Premier League winner and Riunners-Up every season ahead of a new campaign.

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Bo Rangers and Mighty Blackpool at the Southern Arena for the Community Shield on Saturday
Bo Rangers and Mighty Blackpool at the Southern Arena for the Community Shield on Saturday
Champions Rangers take on Blackpool in the season's curtain raiser
by David Lebbie

Champions Rangers take on Blackpool in season’s curtain-raiser

Reigning champions Bo Rangers and runners-up Mighty Blackpool battle for the first silverware of the season in Sierra Leone football (The Community Shield), a curtain raiser ahead of the new Leone Rock Premier League 2023/24 campaign.

Southern Arena is the venue for the cracker between the Southern Province side and Western Area giant on Saturday in Bo City – kick-off time at 19 hours local time.

Bo Rangers won the league unbeaten last season as they’ll be hoping to start the season with a silverware by overcoming their rival Mighty Blackpool, who were last season’s eventual runners-up.

The champions will be without last season’s head coach, Alhaji Abedi Foray, whose contract mutually terminated following his national coaching appointment.

New Rangers head John Keister will start his new role on 1st Nov 2023 but will be on the stands as an observer.

Speaking to this medium, Ranger’s media office. Solomon Demby said they started preparation last Wednesday. New winger 𝐁𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 from Kamboi Eagles could make his Bo Rangers debut.

“The Shield will be a boost to our silverware as it is one of the trophies we are yet to win.” Bo Rangers take anything trophy seriously.” He continued, our newly appointed Head Coach will watch the game from the stand. We have brought in new players to make sure we do what we want to do.”

Ibrahim S Sankoh, head of media Mighty Blackpool, is optimistic ahead of facing the champions in this season’s Shield tussle.

“We are determined to go and make history against Bo Rangers, winning this Charity Shield will make us the first on record to do so and against a team that went unbeaten last season.”

Bo Rangers have won two and recorded a draw as the Tis tas Boys managed a win in their last four competitive meetings.

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Champions Rangers take on Blackpool in the season's curtain raiser
Champions Rangers take on Blackpool in the season's curtain raiser
Sierra Leone line-up friendlies for World Cup qualifiers
by David Lebbie

Sierra Leone up two places in latest Fifa ranking

The Sierra Leone national team have moved up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking announced on Thursday.

The Leone Stars had a successful trip in Morocco during the Fifa window, having played to a 1-1 draw against Benin on October 14th before defeating Somalia 2-0 in a recent training camp in Morocco three days later.

Coach Amidu Karim’s side will start their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Ethiopia at the Mohamed V Sports Complex in Casablanca on 15th November before hosting the Pharoah of Egypt in the Liberian Capital on 19 November 2023.

In Africa, Sierra Leone ranked 32nd best side as Morocco remains Africa’s number one nation, as well as maintaining 13th in the world ranking.

Senegal is second in Africa and occupies the 20th place in the world. Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Ivory Coast and Burkina-Faso are the top ten teams.

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Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking
Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking
Global top 10 - Argentina (1st) maintain a healthy lead (8.18 points) over their closest challengers, France
Global top 10 - Argentina (1st) maintain a healthy lead (8.18 points) over their closest challengers, France