Category: Sports

Kamara Nets Haul as Bamoi Queens Crush Future Queens 8-0 in Playoff Opener
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Kamara Nets Haul as Bamoi Queens Crush Future Queens 8-0 in Playoff Opener

Bamoi Queens Football Club announced themselves as serious contenders for promotion with a ruthless 8-0 win over Future Queens in the opening match of the North West Region Football Association (NWRFA) Women’s First Division Playoffs at the Port Loko Mini Stadium.

The standout performer was prolific forward Kadiatu M. Kamara, who delivered a masterclass in finishing by scoring four goals and earning the Player of the Match award in a dominant display that left Future Queens with no answer to her attacking brilliance.

Kamara’s four-goal haul spearheaded a commanding team performance as Bamoi Queens overwhelmed their opponents from the first whistle, combining clinical finishing with disciplined defending to secure one of the biggest victories in recent regional women’s football competition.

Buoyed by a passionate home crowd, Bamoi Queens controlled possession, dictated the tempo and repeatedly breached the Future Queens defence, underlining their determination to reach the nationwide playoffs and secure promotion to the 2026/27 Sierra Leone Women’s Premier League.

Future Queens endured a difficult afternoon as they struggled to contain the relentless attacking waves from their opponents, conceding eight goals in a one-sided contest that showcased the gulf between the two sides on the day.

The ongoing NWRFA Women’s First Division Playoffs serve as the regional qualifying tournament for the national promotion playoffs, where clubs will compete for coveted places in Sierra Leone’s top-tier women’s football league.

For Bamoi Queens, the emphatic victory not only earned three valuable points but also sent a powerful message to rival teams that they possess both the quality and ambition to challenge for promotion.

With the playoffs continuing in the coming days, Bamoi Queens have already laid down an early marker, while Kadiatu M. Kamara’s remarkable four-goal performance has established her as one of the tournament’s players to watch.

Sierra Leone mourns Victoria Conteh, the Coach who broke football’s toughest barrier
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone mourns Victoria Conteh, the Coach who broke football’s toughest barrier

Sierra Leone’s football community is mourning the death of trailblazing coach Victoria Conteh, a historic figure who shattered gender barriers by becoming the first woman to coach an elite men’s top-tier club in the country.

Her passing, which was announced by the local football federation, SLFA, on Monday, May 4, 2026, has triggered an outpouring of tributes from across the sporting world. Respected former captain of the Sierra Leone Senior National Women’s coach, (Sierra Queens), Musu Bangura, is leading the park of the poll of former players and other members of the football family in Sierra Leone.

In her solemn tribute shared on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the former Sierra Queens skipper described the late coach Conteh as “a leader, a motivator, and a true soldier of the game.” “Today, my heart carries a weight that words can scarcely hold,” Bangura said, reflecting on years of shared commitment to football.

“She didn’t just coach players, she built lives, shaped character, and gave everything to the game.” Widely known as “Coach DE COX,” Conteh carved a unique path in Sierra Leonean football.

She rose through the women’s game to lead the national women’s team, the Sierra Queens, where she was instrumental in developing talent and promoting the growth of women’s football in a system long constrained by limited resources.

Her most defining achievement came when she took charge of East End Tigers in 2019, one of the country’s top-flight men’s clubs, and made history as the first woman in Sierra Leone, and among a rare few globally, to manage at that level in the men’s game, challenging deeply rooted norms and opening doors for women in football leadership.

Throughout her bitter-sweet career, the late Conteh, who had been sick for a while before her passing, endured her recent sudden amputation to stay alive, yet didn’t abandon football.

Her continued mentorship of both players and coaches nourished her illustrious past coaching career, earning her respect not only for breaking barriers but for her tactical discipline, resilience, and commanding presence on the touchline. Players and colleagues alike credit her with instilling professionalism, belief, and a winning mentality across both women’s and men’s teams.

The former Sierra Leone Queens Captain Bangura, who is now the President of the Sierra Leone Female Veterans Football Association, said the news of Conteh’s death felt “like a final whistle blown too soon,” underscoring the shock and emotional toll of the loss.

Meanwhile, Tributes continue to pour in nationwide, with many hailing the late Conteh as a symbol of courage and progress in African football. Her career is widely seen as a turning point in the fight for gender inclusion in sport, particularly in West Africa.

As Sierra Leone reflects on her life and legacy, the late coach Conteh is remembered not only for her historic achievements but for the countless players she mentored and inspired.

Despite gone, the late coach’s impact endures in every young girl who dares to coach, in every barrier challenged, and in every game played with passion and purpose.

Although dead, the fallen coach Victoria Conteh’s legacy lives on as unyielding, transformative, and unforgettable in Sierra Leone football history, Africa and the world over.

Violence halts Sierra Leone FA-Cup clash, triggers security concerns
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Violence halts Sierra Leone FA Cup clash, raising security concerns

Last Sunday evening Orange Sierra Leone FA Cup quarter-final between East End Lions and Star Sports Academy was eventually abandoned after crowd violence erupted, prompting the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) to launch an investigation and vow firm disciplinary action.

The high-stakes match, played at the SLFA Academy Field in Kingtom, Freetown, was halted in the 80th minute amid what officials described as “disturbing scenes” that threatened player safety and undermined the integrity of the game.

In a statement issued on Monday, May 4, the SLFA condemned the violence as “indiscipline and lawlessness,” stressing that football must be governed by respect, rules, and sportsmanship.

The local football federation further warned that such incidents endanger lives and damage the sport’s reputation.

While no serious injuries or arrests have been reported, authorities have yet to determine whether the match will be replayed or settled administratively.

However, the recent incident has intensified scrutiny of matchday security and fan conduct in Sierra Leone’s domestic competitions, with sports journalists and other Football stakeholders urging stricter enforcement measures to curb what they describe as “a growing pattern of violence across SLFA-sanctioned fixtures, including top-tier men’s and women’s national leagues.”

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/2051552877286511070

SLFA Launches Global Search for Leone Stars Coach Amid Kallon Fallout
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone targets a fourth AFCON appearance as 2027 dates confirmed

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has set June 19 to July 17, 2027, for the next Africa Cup of Nations, launching a qualification race that could see Sierra Leone secure a historic fourth appearance at the continental showpiece.

The tournament, branded as “PAMOJA 2027” which means “together”, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the first time AFCON will be staged across three nations. The dates recently announced by the tournament organisers were approved by the FIFA Council, with venues for the opening match and final yet to be announced by CAF.

However, the focus now shifts to qualification, which will feature 48 teams, including Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars, who will compete for 24 places across 12 groups of four, with only the top two totalling 24 nations to advance in what is tipped to be a tightly contested campaign running from September 2026 to March 2027.

For Sierra Leone, the stakes are high, but a successful campaign would mark the country’s fourth AFCON qualification and reinforce its re-emergence in African football following its return to the tournament in 2021 after a long absence.

The 2027 edition will also mark AFCON’s return to East Africa for the first time since the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations, as CAF seeks to expand the competition’s global reach and growing audience.

With the draw set for May 19, 2026, Sierra Leone faces a defining path, one which many sports enthusiasts and supporters of the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone believe could cement the West African football-loving nation’s slot among the continent’s rising football nations.

Ibrahim Fullah is over the moon to receive young Player of the Year award
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ibrahim Fullah is over the moon to receive young Player of the Year award

Ibrahim Fullah has expressed his delight after he received the Charlton Athletic’s Valley Gold Young Player of the Year award following the Addicks’ 2-1 victory over Hull City at The Valley on Saturday.

After accepting the honour, the 19-year-old academy graduate expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s definitely unexpected, but I’m really thankful for this award! So many incredible names have won it before me, and just being listed among them is amazing. I’ve grown up with Tyreece Campbell, who is also on that list, so it feels special to be recognised like this,” he told his club website.

The 2025/26 season marks a pivotal year for Fullah as he makes his mark as a player for Charlton. He has already made 13 appearances in all competitions, finding the back of the net twice during the Carabao Cup.

“There have been plenty of ups and downs; it’s part of football. You can only control what you can control, and that’s what I focused on until my chance came. When it did, I knew I had to make the most of it,” he noted.

“I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to be a first-team footballer. It has required a great deal of hard work and sacrifice, but I’ve also grown a lot along the way.

Having confidence, patience, and a solid support network from coaches, staff, and teammates has been crucial.

This whole group is fantastic, and my family has played a big role in my journey as well. I’m truly grateful for all of it. As a team, we know what we’re capable of achieving together. Capable of, and we can achieve it. It’s been a really good season.”