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Sierra Leone Gear Up for U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt 2025
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone Gear Up for U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt

Sierra Leone’s Shooting Stars has intensified training for the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where they will face hosts Egypt, Zambia, South Africa, and Tanzania.

Sierra Leone will begin their AFCON U20 campaign against Zambia on April 27, followed by a match against host Egypt on the 30th.

Head Coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara has named 25 promising home-based players for the training camp. He will finalize his squad in the coming days. This important phase in the team’s preparation is designed to enhance the players’ fitness, skills, and teamwork as they strive for success in the tournament.

This championship is scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 18, 2025. Thirteen teams will compete in the tournament.

Group B has Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco while Group C comprises Senegal, Central Africa Republic, Congo DR and Ghana.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, along with the two best third-placed teams.

The four highest-performing teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, which will take place from September 27 to October 19

The draw establishes the atmosphere for what promises to be another memorable edition of one of Africa’s top youth competitions.

Groups for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025

Group A: Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania

Group B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco

Group C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana

Sierra Leone's Shooting Stars has intensified training for the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt
Sierra Leone's Shooting Stars has intensified training for the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt
Sierra Leone will begin their AFCON U20 campaign against Zambia on April 27, followed by a match against host Egypt on the 30th.
Sierra Leone will begin their AFCON U20 campaign against Zambia on April 27, followed by a match against host Egypt on the 30th.
Sierra Leone players getting ready for battle against some top African sides in U20 AFCON
Sierra Leone players getting ready for battle against some top African sides in U20 AFCON
Sierra Leone draw host Egypt, Zambia and South Africa in Group A
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone draw tough AFCON U20 opponents including host Egypt in Group A

The redraw for the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Cairo on Sunday has placed Sierra Leone in Group A alongside host Egypt, Zambia, South Africa, and Tanzania.

Sierra Leone will begin their AFCON U20 campaign against Zambia on April 27, followed by a match against host Egypt on the 30th.

Sierra Leone was originally placed in Group C, alongside Senegal, Kenya, and Zambia. However, the initial draw for Ivory Coast has been cancelled because the former host has decided to withdraw at the last minute.

The Shooting Stars from Sierra Leone are preparing to compete against hosts Egypt, Zambia, South Africa as well as Tanzania. This championship is scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 18, 2025. Thirteen teams will compete in the tournament.

Group B has Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco while Group C comprises Senegal, Central Africa Republic, Congo DR and Ghana.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, along with the two best third-placed teams.

The four highest-performing teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, which will take place from September 27 to October 19.

Kenya will represent the CECAFA region with Tanzania, as both teams reached the qualifiers final in Dar es Salaam last October. Tanzania won that match 2-1, but both teams qualified for the tournament.

Sierra Leone will begin their AFCON U20 campaign against Zambia on April 27, followed by a match against host Egypt on the 30th.
Sierra Leone will begin their AFCON U20 campaign against Zambia on April 27, followed by a match against host Egypt on the 30th.
Uncertainty grips Sierra Leone FA after chaotic Congress
by Football Sierra Leone

Uncertainty grips Sierra Leone FA after chaotic Congress

In the highly anticipated Football Congress of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2025, FIFA and CAF representatives witnessed severe violence and misconduct.

Just prior to the start of the congress, there were several injured individuals, including the President’s Personal Assistant, David Turner. This unexpected act of violence, unprecedented in any sporting event in Sierra Leone, resulting to Ordinary Congress was aborted.

The congress was intended to elect various independent committees for a four-year mandate, specifically the Ethics Board, the SLFA Appeals and Disciplinary Committees, the newly proposed Audit and Compliance Committee, and the electoral bodies.

It was also slated to review and approve newly proposed football statutes, as well as other agenda items typical for annual ordinary congresses, such as the approval of the annual audit report and the budget for the upcoming year.

The behavior of delegates and supporters at the congress has been condemned by a significant portion of Sierra Leoneans, as well as by global football pundits and analysts. It has embarrassed the nation and raised concerns about FIFA’s next steps.

During the congress, there was evident animosity and division within the Executive Committee (EXCO), political divides among delegates, and a desperate scramble for power among leading aspirants. The involvement of government officials and security forces, who appeared to incite problems in favor of certain candidates, further exacerbated the situation.

According to a reliable and knowledgeable source, the only viable option for FIFA in this context is to establish a Normalization Committee due to the level of conflict and incidents that violate FIFA’s policies against third-party interference.

Normally, FIFA would refer such matters to the General Secretary of FIFA and CAF to determine a new attempt at convening the congress. However, due to the extensive violence, reported divisions among EXCO members, and inappropriate behavior towards FIFA and CAF representatives, it is likely that the FIFA Secretariat, responsible for operational affairs and decision-making in the absence of a FIFA Council meeting, will move towards implementing a Normalization Committee.

The source explained that a Normalization Committee would be authorized by FIFA statutes and would be supervised and directed entirely by FIFA. Unlike an elected executive, this committee would be accountable only to FIFA.

The only other alternative would be a more lenient approach involving one more attempt to convene the congress, which is typically pursued when issues are less severe than those currently faced in Sierra Leone.

The source concluded that the FIFA General Secretariat would probably wait for reports from the FIFA and CAF representatives, as well as the General Secretary of the SLFA, before consulting with the Head of the African Division and the CAF General Secretary for a final decision, which could be expected before the end of the week.

SLFA boss Thomas Daddy Brima released after meeting bail conditions
by Football Sierra Leone

SLFA boss Thomas Daddy Brima released after meeting bail conditions

A significant development has occurred in Sierra Leonean football following the release on bail of SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima, Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh, and Finance Manager Ibrahim Bah, who were arrested on corruption allegations.

Mr Brima and co meet bail conditions of 500 million old Leones each and two sorties each. Residing in the Western Area – The SLFA congress is expected to go ahead as planned on Saturday.

The trio was taken into custody by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday, causing a stir in the nation’s football community just days before the highly anticipated SLFA congress.

Their release, confirmed by ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala at a press conference, ensures that they will attend the congress scheduled for Saturday in Freetown. The arrests sparked controversy, prompting the Union of Premier League Clubs to dramatically withdraw from the Sierra Leone Premier League in protest.

This situation has drawn comparisons to past incidents, particularly the legal troubles of former SLFA President Isha Johansen, which ultimately resulted in Sierra Leone’s suspension by FIFA in 2018.

As the congress approaches, all eyes will be on the SLFA leadership. Will they be able to restore stability and prevent external sanctions, or is Sierra Leonean football facing yet another crisis? For now, the football community waits in anticipation for the next chapter in this ongoing saga.

Listen to the SLFA boss after he was released

SLFA boss Daddy Brima detained as entire executive goes under investigation
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

SLFA boss detained as entire executive goes under investigation

The president of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Thomas Daddy Brima slept overnight at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) as the country’s anti-corruption commission (ACC) investigated their executive.

All three individuals are expected today at the Anti-Corruption Commission office for further scrutiny.

The ACC has confirmed that the investigation is underway and is inviting the media to imminently reveal further details that remain unclear.

The detention of the FA boss Thomas Daddy Brima, Mr Bawoh and the Finance officer comes just three days before the much-awaited SLFA Congress which is a stage that will gauge the atmosphere ahead of the next election.

Fifa delegates are also expected in Sierra Leone ahead of the SLFA congress on April 5th.  This recent development has left uncertainty regarding how FIFA will respond. In 2018, FIFA suspended Sierra Leone from international football due to government interference in the management of the country’s football association.

The ban follows a decision by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which barred two leading officials from the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) from entering the governing body’s offices.

FIFA stated, “The suspension will be lifted once the SLFA and its recognized leadership have confirmed to FIFA that the SLFA administration, premises, accounts, and communication channels are once again under their control.”