Author: Alusine Rehme Wilson

by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Star Sport Academy Forced to Share Spoils with Medina United

Star Sport Academy Football Club marked their CAF Champions League debut with a barren draw against Medina FC of Gambia in the first leg of this year’s preliminary qualifying round at Southern Arena in Bo on Saturday.

The Sierra Leonean side, coached by experienced tactician Amidu Karim, created several chances but were unable to break through a disciplined Medina FC defence, leaving the two-legged tie finely balanced ahead of next week’s return leg in The Gambia.

However, Medina FC suffered a late setback when head coach Ebrima Gatta was sent off for unsporting behaviour in the second half.

Although disappointed by the result, Karim praised his players for their disciplined performance and fighting spirit, insisting that his side remains confident of progressing to the second qualifying round.

Star Sports Academy will now need a stronger attacking display in the return leg to keep their historic continental campaign alive.

by Alusine Rehme Wilson

2026 Women’s WAFU-A: Mogbwemo Queens Suffer Heavy 5-1 Defeat in Mboyo

Mogbwemo Queens Football Club suffered a disastrous start to their 2026 WAFU-A Zone Women’s Champions League campaign on Friday, losing 5-1 to Gambia’s Berewuleng FC at the MBoyo Field.

The Sierra Leonean side trailed 1-0 at halftime after absorbing sustained pressure, but a second-half defensive collapse saw Berewuleng add four more goals, forcing the visitors to manage only a consolation.

Despite the heavy defeat, Mogbwemo Queens head coach Adama P. Suma remained confident her team can respond in their final group match. “The result was entirely unexpected, yet we’re determined to make a stronger comeback in our final group game to defend the Mogbwemo Queens badge.”

The victory puts Berewuleng top of Group B with three points and four goals, while Mogbwemo Queens sit bottom pointless.

In their final group game, Mogbwemo Queens will face Guinea’s AS Bolonta on Monday, August 31, in a must-win encounter.

The Guinean side, Bolonta, opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Berewuleng. The Guinean champions currently occupy the group’s second place with three points and two goals.

With qualification for the semifinals now hanging by a thread, Mogbwemo Queens must win by at least four clear goals to keep their regional title hopes alive. Otherwise, it will see them eliminated disappointingly in the group stage.

by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Amidu Karim Unveils Squad for Historic CAF Champions League Debut

Star Sport Academy head coach Amidu Karim has unveiled a 30-man squad for the club’s CAF Champions League preliminary-round campaign against Medina United.

The squad unveiling marks an important step in the academy’s preparations for its continental debut, with Karim selecting a blend of experienced players and emerging talents to represent the club on the African stage.

The former FC Kallon and Leone Stars coach’s 30-man squad comprises three goalkeepers, including experienced Leone Stars and former FC Kallon gloves man Issac Caulker and former Mighty Blackpool defender Edward Bello Yillah and forwards including goal-machine Larry Siemon.  

Coach Karim’s selection provides him with a 30-player pool as the club prepares for its CAF Champions League preliminary-round meeting with Medina United.

The continental assignment will test the academy’s squad depth, tactical organisation and ability to compete beyond the domestic scene, while also offering the players an opportunity to showcase their quality on one of African club football’s biggest platforms.

With the squad now confirmed, Head coach Amidu Karim says, “attention will turn to final preparations of the team drawing from the lessons learned from the Star Sports Academy participation in the 2026 West Africa Cup in Guinea and the warm up matches played including the recent test against the Leone Stars provincial AFCON 2027 qualifiers squad, as the seeks to make a strong impression in its CAF Champions League campaign where they’re newbies.”

Full Squad List:

Goalkeepers: Dauda Bangura, Issac Caulker, Abubakarr Alhaji Kamara

Defenders: Mohamed Sillah, Citta Bah, Abdul Budu Kamara, Mamady Koroma, Mohamed Alie Bangura, Osman Kamara, Edward Bello Yillah, Ernest Koroma, Alpha Conteh, Alseny Conte, Franklyn Kamara

Midfielders: Mohamed Chernor Jalloh, Foday Suma, Shaka Sesay, James Kai Yamba, Senesie Janneh, Michael Kargbo, Samba Juma Bah, Musa Fonah, Santigie Fornah, Momoh Conteh, Abdulai A. Sankoh, Mamadi Kone, Ibrahim Dicko

Forwards: Hindovei Tucker, Mohamadu Lamin, and Larry Siemon.

by Alusine Rehme Wilson

SLFA Raises Coaching Bar Amid CAF A-Licence Questions

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has announced a rise in the minimum coaching qualification standards for the 2026/2027 domestic football season, setting tougher requirements for coaches and technical directors across the country’s football pyramid.

Under the new framework announced by the local football federation, Premier League head coaches must hold at least a CAF A, B or C Licence, while their assistants are required to possess a CAF B or C Licence.

On the other hand, top-flight technical directors of male and female football clubs must possess a CAF A Licence or equivalent PRO/A qualification.

However, the requirements are progressively adjusted for Division One, Division Two and the TDS League, with coaches expected to hold relevant CAF or SLFA qualifications.

In addition, TDS coaches must also have FIFA Safeguarding Essentials certification. Although the SLFA says the reforms are aimed at improving technical standards and establishing clearer professional benchmarks for clubs, the announcement of the new coaching policy has raised a key implementation question.

How will Sierra Leone enforce CAF A-Licence requirements at the highest level when the country has gone ages without conducting a CAF A-Licence coaching course?

The gap, some local coaches say, will open a box of struggling to meet the new standards while most clubs face another mounting pressure to comply.

The SLFA has yet to clarify when the next CAF A-Licence course will be conducted in Sierra Leone, prompting calls for the association to provide a clear pathway for local coaches to acquire the qualifications now required.

Ultimately, the success of the new framework will depend not only on enforcement but on whether the SLFA creates realistic opportunities for Sierra Leonean coaches to meet its elevated standards.

Mogbwemo Queens Name 22-Woman Squad for WAFU-A Qualifiers
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Mogbwemo Queens Name 22-Woman Squad for WAFU-A Qualifiers

Mogbwemo Queens Football Club head coach Adama P. Suma has unveiled a 22-player squad for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU A Zone qualifiers in The Gambia.

The reigning national women’s top-flight champions and representative of Sierra Leone at this year’s zonal women’s inter-club tournament will be led by a balanced squad featuring two goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and six forwards as they prepare to compete for a place in the next stage of Africa’s premier women’s club competition.

Coach Suma’s squad includes two goalkeepers, Isatu Dumbuya and Ahouef Larissa Godui. The defensive line-up comprises Fatmata T. Koroma, Musu Sengeh, Saio M Quraishi, Edit David Doe, Penda Colley, Honoria Hotta, Olufunke Victoria Taiwo, and Sangay M. Moulton.

In midfield, coach Suma has selected Jeneba Koroma, Kadiatu M. Kamara, Fatmata Turay, Sallay Jatta, Adama Jalloh, and Jeanette Dominique Sagna.

The attacking options are Fanta Nabe, Nadi Quade, Amos Patrick, Isatu A Bangura, Wuyah Mohai, and Marguerite S Ahouassou.

Coach Suma, who’s no stranger as guardian of Mogbwemo Queens in the WAFU-A’ Zone Women’s tournament after the team’s debut two years ago in Liberia, has described his latest squad announcement as “one that reflects the club’s ambition to make a strong impression in the WAFU-A’ Zone qualifying competition and secure progression in the CAF Women’s Champions League pathway.”

With the regional qualifiers bringing together leading women’s clubs from the WAFU-A’ Zone, the Sierra Leonean side will be seeking to combine defensive stability, midfield creativity, and attacking firepower under Suma’s leadership.

Meanwhile, the squad, which departed Freetown via the Lungi International Airport for Banjul on Sunday, August 23, is currently in the Gambia, all set to carry Sierra Leone’s hopes in this year’s WAFU-A’ Zone Women’s Champions League qualifying campaign.