Category: Sports

by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone Football Roars Back as Unity Cup Finals Ignite Leagues Kick-Off

Sierra Leone’s 2026/27 domestic football season will officially begin on October 10, following the completion of the Men’s and Women’s Unity Cup finals at Southern Arena in Bo.

Ram Kamara FC of Bo won the 2026 Women’s Unity Cup on Saturday, October 3, defeating reigning Marampa Mines Women’s Premier League champions Mogbwemo Queens 2-1.

The following day, last season’s Leone Rock Men’s Premier League champions, Bo Rangers, defeated the 2026 Orange Sierra Leone FA-Cup holders East End Lions 2-1 to claim the Men’s Unity Cup at the Southern Arena on Sunday night.

 

Both Unity Cups crunch matches served as the opening competitive fixtures of the new football season in Sierra Leone, with the two top-flight leagues now set to begin simultaneously.

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) included the Unity Cups in its 2026/27 domestic football calendar, scheduling the finals for October 3 and 4 ahead of the October 10 league kick-off.

The local football federation has since confirmed that both the Marampa Mines Women’s Premier League and Leone Rock Men’s Premier League will commence their 2026/27 campaigns on the same day.

Largely, the synchronised start brings the country’s men’s and women’s top-flight competitions into the same footballing window and provides a more coordinated calendar for clubs, players, officials, sponsors and supporters.

In another development, the SLFA has also announced the disbursement of the sums of US$100,000 equivalent to NLe 2,304,500 each to the Men’s and Women’s Premier League Boards to support teams and leagues preparations for the new season.

While the Unity Cup results have provided early storylines ahead of the league campaign, Mogbwemo Queens will begin their title defence after losing to Ram Kamara FC, while Bo Rangers enter their title defence after overcoming East End Lions in the men’s curtain-raiser.

Nonetheless, the Unity Cup results will not determine the league champions, with both competitions now moving into their full-season campaigns, as both the Marampa Mines Women’s Premier League and Leone Rock Men’s Premier League kick off on Saturday, October 10, beginning the race for Sierra Leone’s top domestic honours.

Leone Stars Step Up AFCON 2027 Qualifying Preparations in Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Leone Stars Step Up AFCON 2027 Qualifying Preparations in Morocco

Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars have intensified their training in Morocco as they prepare for their double-header in the qualifying round for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

They will play Zimbabwe on September 24 and Equatorial Guinea on September 28. These matches are crucial for Sierra Leone’s chances to qualify for the tournament.

During the training session, the players and coaches worked on skills, strategies, and teamwork. New face like Raees Bangura Williams, Salford City attacking midfielder Kallum Cesay, and returning Middlesbrough left-back Alex Bangura were all present as the team concentrated on their fitness while sticking to the game plan.

With the qualifiers getting closer, the Leone Stars aim to start strong and improve their chances of making it to next year’s tournament, which will take place in East Africa.

The team remains dedicated as they prepare for these important matches that could greatly affect their qualification hopes.

Salford City Kallum Cesay were part of first training session in Morocco
Salford City Kallum Cesay were part of first training session in Morocco
Northampton Town's Tyrese Fornah in training action!
Northampton Town's Tyrese Fornah in training action!
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.

East End Lions Unveil 30-Man Squad for CAF Confederation Cup Qualifier
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

East End Lions Unveil 30-Man Squad for CAF Confederation Cup Qualifiers

Newly appointed East End Lions head coach Patrick Bangura has unveiled a 30-man squad for the club’s CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round double-header against Côte d’Ivoire’s AF Amadou Diallo next month.

Bangura, who recently took charge of the reigning Orange Sierra Leone FA Cup champions after his stint with Old Edwardians, has selected three goalkeepers, nine defenders, 10 midfielders and eight forwards for the club’s return to continental competition.

The squad includes 11 new signings acquired on permanent and loan deals, among them midfielder Saymah Kamara, who joins from Bullom Stars of Lungi.

Coach Bangura said the team is ready for the continental challenge, stressing that the players and technical staff are mentally, morally, and physically prepared to represent Sierra Leone.

Coach Bangura also appealed to East End Lions supporters and football fans across Sierra Leone and beyond to rally behind the club as it embarked on the prestigious continental campaign.

East End Lions are scheduled to face AF-Amadou Diallo in a two-legged preliminary-round tie during the first and second weeks of September. 

And should they shine in the first round of qualifiers, they’ll meet the winner of the tie between Nigeria’s Shooting Stars and Tunisia’s CS-Sfaxien in the second preliminary round.

Full East End Lions’ 30-Man Squad

Goalkeepers: Abdul Bundu, Abubakarr Kamara, Chinedu Udeh.

Defenders: Abdul Nyamekye, Idrissa Sesay, Musa Ademu, Mohamed Fofanah, Abubakarr Kargbo, Abubakarr Massaquoi, Emmanuel Ansumana, Mohamed Kallon, Abdul Bangura.

Midfielders: Alusine Dumbuya, Osman Koroma, Dominic Kargbo, Musa Bangura, Saymah Kamara, Bankole Cole, Sunday Oliseh, Philip Aidoo, Kabba Timbo, Yusif Ibrahim.

Forwards: Mohamed Bangura, Sulaiman S. Kargbo, Alie Conteh, Emmanuel Innocent, Mohamed Adil, Alusine Turay, George Mattar, Hosea Nuhu.

Breaking Barriers, Masongbo Women Rally for Grassroots Football
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Breaking Barriers, Masongbo Women Rally for Grassroots Football

A spirited group of women from Masongbo Community has issued a powerful call for change, urging their peers across Bombali District and beyond to “break stereotypes and embrace local football as active supporters.”

The appeal came at Makeni’s Wusum Stadium during the 2026 Inter‑Area Football Tournament match-day eight clash between Masongbo and Wallah Communities, which ended in a 1‑1 draw. Speaking on behalf of the group, Jariana Barrie described the experience as both entertaining and inspiring.

“We have been watching international football on television, but today we had the opportunity to watch our own people play live. It is an experience we will always cherish,” she said. Barrie, who also identified herself as a devoted Arsenal fan, explained that seeing her relatives represent Masongbo on the pitch broadened her appreciation of the game beyond televised matches.

The Masongbo Ladies firmly rejected the notion that football is a male‑only sport or that women who attend matches are idle. “Those who think football is only for men should stop thinking that way. Women who watch football are not idlers, they are key supporters and players in the development of the game,” they emphasised.

Their presence at the Wusum Stadium is considered not just symbolic, but vital to strengthening community participation and nurturing grassroots football. The ladies from Masongbo Community also appealed to other women hesitant about attending matches to join in supporting local competitions.

The recent move by a cross-section of women from the Masongbo Community showcases the growing importance of female spectators in Sierra Leone’s football culture, signaling a shift toward inclusivity and community‑driven support for the sport.