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by Football Sierra Leone

Ram Kamara and Determine Girls share opening spoils

On Tuesday, Sierra Leone’s RAM Kamara FC, the reigning champions of the Women’s Premier League, proudly embarked on their inaugural journey in the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU A qualifiers, currently underway in Senegal.

Under the bright lights of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, a fiercely contested clash unfolded against Liberia’s Determined Girls FC, culminating in a hard-fought goalless draw.

Despite the stalemate, Diatta Langama of the Determine Girls shone brightly with her remarkable performance, earning the coveted Woman of the Match award.

Earlier in the day, in an exhilarating opener of the qualifying rounds, USFAS emerged triumphant by besting Aigles de la Medina with a commanding score of 2-0, setting the stage for thrilling competition ahead.

Ram Kamara FC’s next match is against USFAS Bamako as Aigles de la Medina take on Berewulend FC at the same venue on Friday.

No financial indiscipline under my watch - Babadi Kamara
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

No financial indiscipline under my watch – Babadi Kamara

Among other things, President Babadi Kamara of the Sierra Leone Football Association has vowed to work in the best interest of the country and to partner with all significant stakeholders to create a better future. Under his leadership, he says there would be no financial indiscipline.

In an exclusive interview with AYV News Live, he emphasised his commitment to development across the board. Here is a breakdown of pivotal answers during his first public appearnce since the elective congress Interview!!!

On revamping the secretariat of the SLFA, Babadi confirmed that the FA’s secretariat would undergo a significant transformation. “When you travel to the secretariats of other member associations and return home to see the current state of affairs, you have to ask yourself, ‘What have we been doing as a nation?’ The present condition of the FA’s compound is extremely poor, raising many questions about the previous leadership.

However, we need to move forward and explore ways to improve. I, along with my executive team, will work to give the FA a face that reflects the dignity of Sierra Leoneans. I believe we will collaborate with stakeholders to achieve this.”

On Election Day, reported allegations of malpractice. When asked about alleged malpractices surrounding the elections, he addressed the issue succinctly. “Elections worldwide face challenges, so the SLFA is no exception. However, one good thing is that we all went through the same process in terms of nominations. Speaking about voting was done openly in front of everyone.

On playing the First and Second Division Leagues – He was confident about the possibility of playing both the National Senior League and Division One football simultaneously. “Some nations are entering a new season, while Sierra Leone still plays; that is not something we can settle for anymore. We have to play football in line with international best practices and in line with the International transfer market.

On Academies Development – He emphasised the importance of developing football academies across Sierra Leone and stated he will personally look into this area. He also encouraged other passionate Sierra Leoneans to contribute to football development through academies.

Issues on Women’s League Upgrading  – One of the biggest gaps between male and female leagues is financial equity. And I am very sure that when they give seed money to teams before this time, the Premier League teams get more than what they gave to female teams and for me, the process of playing football is the same.

On Accountability and Financial Discipline When Asked – Financial discipline is my strength of competence when it comes to money. I did not come to become SLFA’s president for a living – when you go as a worker making a living from football, then there is going to be a serious challenge.

My main objective for becoming the president of the SLFA is not for personal gain, but to serve my nation. Therefore, regarding the issue of integrity in financial matters, you can judge me by my words: there will be no financial malpractices during my time in office.

Business mogul Babadi Kamara elected new SLFA's president
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Business mogul Babadi Kamara elected new SLFA’s president

Business mogul and football philanthropist Babadi Kamara has been chosen as the new Sierra Leone FA President following hours of constitutional debates. He was duly elected on Saturday at Port Loko, Lungi’s Gateway Hotel in Sierra Leone.

Given the events that occurred today during the congress, the newly elected President, Kamara, must gather all significant Sierra Leoneans to join him and his group in addressing the current crisis surrounding the country’s football.

As the Sierra Leone Police forcibly ejected SLIFA FC owner Benjamin Gordon Esq from the hall, evidence of a growing crisis inside the football fraternity became clear. With 43 votes, Kamara defeated his nearest competitor, the female aspirant Aminata Bangura, who got 11 votes.

Kamara will be in office for four years, during which he is expected to revolutionise the football scene. With the absence of two representatives leaving the hall, Ethics Committee Chairman Mohamed Bainda declared that a total of 55 votes had been recorded.

Present at the congress were FIFA observers Ahmed Mohamed Mokhtar and Mohamed Khaled Amin Elshawarby from Egypt. Sierra Leone Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima, and National Sport and National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai were among the guests.

Alie Badara Tarawallie, the current Mayor of Port Loko, has been voted Vice President 1, while Prince Kai Saquee has been elected Vice President 2. The elected Executive Committee members are Mohamed Sorie Jalloh, Kweku Lisk, and Haja Ramatulai Kamara.

New dates confirmed for Sierra Leone Premier League (1)
by Kendol Decker

Sierra Leone football needs vision, strategy and competence

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) needs leadership that combines vision, strategy, and integrity—especially now, amid serious governance challenges.

I firmly believe that Sierra Leone has the potential to become a world-class football nation. Sadly, none of the current candidates in this election cycle have presented a clear or compelling vision for the future of our football. Our sports journalists also play a crucial role.

They must refrain from taking sides and instead uphold their responsibility to the public by interviewing candidates and asking them the tough, critical questions. It is deeply concerning that, throughout this campaign, none of the candidates have participated in a public interview or press engagement, with the sole exception of the outgoing president, who has since been disqualified.

As a nation, we are incredibly passionate about football, and our players are naturally gifted. There is no reason why football in Sierra Leone should not evolve into a revenue-generating, self-sustaining industry. With that in mind, I sincerely hope for a peaceful and transparent election today.

I also urge everyone to support whoever emerges as the winner, because our football cannot afford yet another setback. We are already several years behind where we should be.

To truly unlock football’s potential in Sierra Leone, the next SLFA president must consult with highly competent football development professionals to design a detailed 4–8 year development roadmap with SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals.

This plan should include:

  • 1. Comprehensive domestic league reform, including club licensing, structured youth academies, dedicated investment in women’s football, and continuous training and certification programs for administrative and technical staff.
  • 2. Sponsorship and commercialisation strategies to attract both local and international partners.
  • 3. National team development frameworks, spanning from the senior squads to youth categories.
  • 4. Infrastructure and governance improvements, leveraging FIFA resources while collaborating with the private sector, public institutions, government ministries and agencies, and the Sierra Leonean diaspora.

Finally, I strongly encourage the incoming president to prioritise merit-based hiring for both administrative and technical roles. This can be as simple as researching what qualifications and experience are required for a given position and hiring someone who fits that profile, regardless of their location or origin.

If the most qualified candidate happens to be from the diaspora or a foreign footballing nation, so be it. Our football deserves the best minds working in the right roles. Without a competent and professional team behind the scenes, Sierra Leonean football will continue to fall short of its potential.

Author: Kendol Decker, EMBA Sports Management, UEFA & USSF License Coach, MSc (Candidate) – Performance Football Analyst

Game on as Cas kick-off Aminata's SLFA appeal case
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Game on as CAS kick-off Aminata’s SLFA appeal case

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has informed the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) that it has received an appeal filed by candidate Aminata Bangura in respect of the upcoming elections on 2 August.

In their detailed three-page submission, the Lausanne-based CAS has given the SLFA three days to respond to Ms Bangura’s proposal for the matter to be expedited and addressed before the election date, among other requests.

The court has also set suggested timelines based on the twists and turns of the proceedings, which could drag on for weeks.

On Friday, 18th July, the SLFA announced that it had disqualified Aminata Bangura and the incumbent FA president, Thomas Brima, from contesting the election after they failed integrity checks conducted by the association’s ethics committee.

Bangura is contesting the decision and filed an appeal to CAS. It is unclear whether Brima is going to take the same route and appeal to Cas. However, Brima has vowed that he will take action.

The SLFA election is eight days away, with Babadi Kamara and Umaru Bah emerging as the two approved contenders for the presidency.

Football’s world governing body, FIFA, had put the SLFA under pressure, stating that the elections should go ahead on 2 August to preserve leadership legitimacy in the Sierra Leone FA.

SLFA's Incumbent Thomas Brima disqualified for re-election bid
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

SLFA’s Incumbent Thomas Brima disqualified for re-election bid

SLFA’s Incumbent Thomas Brima disqualified for re-election bid

Thomas Daddy Brima, the current head of the Sierra Leone Football Association, is not included in the final list of contenders for the August 2nd election.

A leaked list was circulated, but it did not explain the reasons for the disqualifications of the only female candidate, Ms. Aminata Bangura, and Thomas Dady Brima by the Ethics Committee.

Since Mr. Brima is presently inaccessible, representatives for Ms. Aminata have already stated their plans to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

With just fourteen days remaining until the election, it’s surprising that the official SLFA media platforms have yet to make a formal announcement. This silence raises important questions about the communication strategy leading up to such a crucial event.

The SLFA electoral officials have announced that its 2025 Ordinary Congress will take place on August 2, 2025, at the Gateway Hotel in Lungi.

The listed names for 2025 SLFA's elections
The listed names for 2025 SLFA's elections
Tensions mount as FIFA drawn into SLFA elections dispute
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tensions mount as FIFA drawn into SLFA elections dispute

The governing body of football, FIFA, has stated that it will intervene if elections are not conducted, which could have significant consequences for the governance of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA).

FIFA has also raised concerns about external influence following disputes within the lower electoral levels of the SLFA as preparations for the presidential election, scheduled for August 2nd, are ongoing.

This comes as a result of elections held at the district levels in the Falaba and Karene Football Association, which have been overturned after a ruling and directives of the Electoral Appeals Committee of the Sierra Leone Football Association.

The Electoral Appeals Committee of the SLFA decided to overturn the election process on the grounds of irregularities, despite their jurisdiction being limited to the SLFA elections, which has attracted the attention of FIFA to interfere.

FIFA, to resolve the issue, arranged a meeting with the Ethics Committee, the Electoral Committee, and the Electoral Appeals Committee.

Authorities within the global football body told them during this meeting that, under the SLFA statute, the Electoral Appeals Committee has no jurisdiction over appeals from the territories and emphasised the importance of cordiality between the Secretariat and committees, stressing adherence to SLFA statutes.

According to the SLFA, FIFA reminded the meeting that the mandate of the current Executive Committee has expired, necessitating elections to renew leadership legitimacy.

Even though FIFA issued warnings, the Electoral Appeals Committee insisted on their decision and suggested that FIFA review their ruling and come up with a judgment.

Sulaiman Momoh Conteh is on the verge of a major career leap as he undergoes a medical at Qabala FC’s facilities in Azerbaijan.
by Football Sierra Leone

Mighty Blackpool Striker Conteh undergoes Medical at Qabala SC

Sulaiman Momoh Conteh is on the verge of a major career leap as he undergoes a medical at Qabala FC’s facilities in Azerbaijan.

The 22-year-old striker is poised to complete a transfer from Sierra Leonean giants Mighty Blackpool FC to Qabala FC, who recently secured promotion to the Azerbaijan Premier League.

Conteh’s journey to the European stage comes after an eventful season in the Sierra Leone Premier League. Despite playing just over 15 matches, the forward found the net nine times for Mighty Blackpool.

However, critics argue that his tally should have been significantly higher, pointing to several missed chances, particularly in high-stakes goalless draws against East End Lions and Bhantal FC, where he spurned over eight clear-cut opportunities.

Still, Conteh’s reputation remains intact. He finished second in the league’s goal-scoring charts the previous season while leading the line for Bau Bureh Warriors.

And even with his conversion woes, he currently tops the SLPL scoring list with nine goals, a testament to his positioning, persistence, and promise.

Should the transfer be finalised, Conteh will be the latest Sierra Leonean talent to break into the European football scene, a move that could redefine both his career and the ambitions of Qabala FC.

Dr Abdulai refutes news of Kallon's Leone Stars ultimatum
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dr Abdulai refutes news of Kallon’s Leone Stars ultimatum

A report on an ultimatum given by Leone Stars head coach Mohamed Kallon regarding his pay have been refuted by Dr. Emmanuel Safa Abdulai, Executive Director of the National Sports Authority.

Coach Kallon has demanded a $20,000 monthly salary or else he would quit, according to the Tribune Times.

“The Kallon contractual negotiation is ongoing. He has not given any ultimatums, we are discussing the final details of his contract. Yes, I am in the middle of the negotiations and figures are floated here and there, however there has never been an ultimatum,” the Luawa FC owner responded.

It is now clear that the negotiations and contractual agreement are still pending since the former Inter Milan striker was appointed as head coach. Kallon began his tenure with a 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau but subsequently lost to Egypt in March this year during the ongoing World Cup qualifiers.

Mighty Blackpool fans excited as Rodney Michael makes a U-turn
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mighty Blackpool fans excited as Rodney Michael makes U-turn

With confidence of A free hand in his capacity as club’s Chairman, mighty Blackpool supporters and community elders have strongly demonstrated their support for Chairman Rodney Michael, thereby persuading him to take up his role once more.

In April of this year, the football administrator stepped down from his position based on principle. However, in recent weeks, Blackpool’s inner circle and their passionate fans have expressed their gratitude to the chairman and have rallied for him to return to lead the club.

This sentiment was conveyed during several meetings held with other Executive Committee members in Michael’s absence.

Following several successful meetings, Mr. Michael has agreed to resume his position as chairman knowing that he will have the required support and protection to run the Executive Committee effectively.

At the historic training grounds in Kingtom, where the elders, fans, a varied collection of Executive Committee members, and the chairman will gather to speak with the players, the formal reintroduction of the chairman will take place.

This development raises a spark of hope for the giants of Sierra Leone football, especially as they find themselves fighting against relegation.