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