AWE Media Sierra Leone

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray   T wo young Sierra Leonean athletes, Paul Foday Marah and Augustine Moses Kpaka, recently returned from an impactful experience at the FIBA Africa Basketball Camp in Douala, Cameroon, which took place from October 14-17, 2024.  Sponsored by scholarships through a growing relationship between the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation (SLBF) and FIBA Africa,Paul Foday Marrah and Augustine Moses Kpaka, known as “Wakanda,” paid a courtesy call to Sierra Leone Basketball Federation (SLBF) President Ali Hijazi. During their visit, the two players shared their experiences from the camp, expressing their gratitude for the skills and knowledge they gained through the prestigious FIBA initiative. The camp, organized annually by FIBA, provided Marrah and Kpaka with advanced training and exposure to a high level of basketball competition, helping them sharpen their abilities alongside other young players from across Africa. President Hijazi congratulated the duo on rep...

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray  The Sierra Leone U-17 national team, led by Coach Junior Dominic Konneh, has been eliminated from the WAFU A U-17 AFCON qualifiers following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Guinea Bissau.  The young Leone Stars only needed a draw or a win in this decisive match to advance to the tournament's semifinals, but fell short despite a strong effort from the players on the field. Placed in Group B alongside Mali, Mauritania, and Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone’s U-17 team managed one win out of their three matches—a victory over Mauritania.  However, earlier losses to Mali and Guinea Bissau ultimately ended their campaign, cutting short hopes of advancing in the qualifiers. While the players fought hard, the technical team faced criticism for not fully meeting the demands of the tournament, with some supporters expressing disappointment at missed opportunities.  Sierra Leone now looks ahead to the future, with a renewed focus on building a competitive squad for upcoming ...

©: Advertorial✍️ Mohamed Lamin Turay, an accomplished journalist with over 12 years of experience, has announced his candidacy for Secretary General of the Sport Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) in the upcoming elections. Turay, who holds a BA degree and is currently in his final year studying law at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, began his journalism career in 2012 as a sports producer with the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in Magburaka. His remarkable work soon led to a role at SLBC Freetown in 2016, where he has since served as a reporter and presenter. With over a decade as a dedicated member of the Sport Writers Association, Turay has significantly contributed to sports journalism, covering major events across Sierra Leone. Announcing his candidacy, Turay emphasized the importance of leadership, strategy, and unity within the association, likening it to a well-coached sports team.  His career has been marked by a deep commitment to the g...

The National Sports Authority wishes to formally congratulate the newly elected executive members and the general membership of the North- East Region Athletics Association for holding a peaceful congress.   Since the election of the  national executive committee members in April 2022, the region commissioned an interim executive to oversee the activities of the association, including the conduct of election for the various vacant positions. During the period of executing their mandate, the interim executive had many challenges with some members of the association, which led to court injunction by the High Court in Makeni. With NSA's intervention, the injunction and other related issues were resolved, and the elective congress was subsequently held in Magburaka over the weekend, with Alhassan Kamara, who narrowly won the presidency.   With NSA's Lamin Sesay,  National Sports Coordinator, who served as a moral guarantor, the election outcome was generally accepted by all, includ...

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has announced that the Sierra Leone Premier League will begin its 2024/25 season on November 23, 2024.  This announcement was made by the Acting Secretary General of SLFA, Ing. Benson Bawoh, during a recent meeting with the Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, and other officials. During the meeting, Ing. Bawoh introduced the newly formed Premier League Board Committee, responsible for overseeing the upcoming season.  Dr. Abdulai commended the board members, emphasizing the importance of transparency and integrity in the league's operations.  He urged the committee to allocate 80% of government funding to clubs, supporting them in paying players’ salaries and furthering football as a source of employment in the country. “Our league is moving toward a professional level, with players from other nations joining our premier teams. With continued support from th...

The Acting General Secretary of the Sierra Leone  Football Association (SLFA) Ing. Mohamed Benson Bawah has told  NSA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai that the Sierra Leone Male Premier will commence on November 23, 2024.   Bawoh made this announcement on Monday at the NSA office while  formally presenting the League's Board to the NSA Chief and his team.  "It is a tradition for the FA to present board members of the male and female premier leagues to the NSA. This board has already commenced administrative activities," Benson said.  Receiving the Board members, Dr. Abdulai congratulated the team and encouraged them to distribute 80% of government funding to the clubs to assist them to pay salaries as football create employment.  "Our league is getting to a professional level, and other nationals are now playing our premier leagues. With Government's continued support, our league is going to be more attractive to many other nationals across the conti...

NSA Executive Director Lawyer Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, on Sunday 27th October 2024, launched an under 15 football trophy titled: Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai U-15 Trophy at the Wusum Field, Makeni City. The goal of the competition is to eradicate kush and other harmful substances in the country that have destroyed many prospective young men and women using the most popular sport, football.  Recently, the government, through the House of Parliament, declared kush as a public health emergency.  It could be recalled that Dr. Abdulai has stagged similar competitions in Kenema, Grafton Community, Calaba Town in the Eastern Part of the Freetown, and Rokel Community, among others.  Dr. Abdulai and his hard-working team are expected to continue with the national drive on kush next weekend in other parts  of the country. The National Sports Authority is an agency of government established by an Act of Parliament with the mandate to promote,  encourage,  develop, and supervise all sports and sporting a...

By: Umaro Saidu Turay Makeni Northern Sierra Leone . Sierra Leone's U-17 team (Sierra Stars) on Saturday evening October 26, restored their qualification hope for the next U17 African Cup of Nations AFCON qualifiers in match day-2 beating Mauritania  1-0 at the Stade Lat- Dior Stadium. The decider was scored by Makeni City's born Ali Ramadan Kabia in the first half. Kabia, who's the Sierra Leone U17 team captain did score an unforgettable goal breathing in relief after their opening loss to Mali.  With the 1-0 win over Mauritania, Sierra Stars could now progress to next round of the WAFU A' Zone U17 tourney competition should they win against Guinea Bissau in their next match. For his brilliant goal, the Sierra Stars captain who playing his trade in Turkey with Antalyaspor was awarded as the player of the match against Mauritania. Speaking after the match the Sierra Stars captain Kabia  expresses thanks and appreciations to the technical team for building their confiden...

By: Umaro Saidu Turay Makeni Northern Sierra Leone . Sierra Leone's U-17 team (Sierra Stars) on Saturday evening October 26, restored their qualification hope for the next U17 African Cup of Nations AFCON qualifiers in match day-2 beating Mauritania  1-0 at the Stade Lat- Dior Stadium. The decider was scored by Makeni City's born Ali Ramadan Kabia in the first half. Kabia, who's the Sierra Leone U17 team captain did score an unforgettable goal breathing in relief after their opening loss to Mali.  With the 1-0 win over Mauritania, Sierra Stars could now progress to next round of the WAFU A' Zone U17 tourney competition should they win against Guinea Bissau in their next match. For his brilliant goal, the Sierra Stars captain who playing his trade in Turkey with Antalyaspor was awarded as the player of the match against Mauritania. Speaking after the match the Sierra Stars captain Kabia  expresses thanks and appreciations to the technical team for building their confiden...

​ The Sierra Leone National Under-17 team, the Sierra Stars, has wrapped up their last training session ahead of their critical encounter with Mauritania. Following a recent loss to Mali’s U-17 team, the Sierra Stars have intensified their preparation, holding match-situational training sessions at the Maniang Soumare Centre. Coach Konneh expressed optimism about his team, recognizing their hard work and determination in each session. “This match against Mauritania is a must-win for us; we understand the stakes,” he stated. “I believe in my boys, and I’m calling on all Sierra Leoneans to rally behind us. We’re determined to bounce back in tomorrow’s game.” The Sierra Stars will face off against Mauritania at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow at Stade Lat Dior. By: A lie Sesay, Media Officer, National Under-17 Team.

By Umaro Saidu Turay Makeni Northern Sierra Leone The Sierra Leone U-17 team, known as Sierra Star has on Wednesday October 24 2024 kick off their WAFU zone A U-17 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nation qualifiers campaigned against Mali at the Stade Lat Dior stadium in Senegal. Sierra Leone loss their opening match last night against Mali thanks to Seydou Dembele 8th minutes clinical finish which saw the Les Aigles side registered their first three point in the tournament. Despite effort to restore parity Sierra Leone U-17 teams couldn't get a break through thanks to the semented and tactical defensive prowess exhibited on the Aigles defense denying Sierra Leone the opportunity to level the score line. The Malian side asserted their dominance since the opening whistle showcasing their talent leaving the Sierra Stars of Sierra Leone struggling to keep pace despite their effort to get an equalizer. The match ended 1-0 to Mali and Sierra Leone will now regroup ahead of their second ma...

By: Umaro Saidu Turay Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone  The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association Thomas Daddy Brima along side his Acting Secretary general Benson Bawoh arrived last night in Addis Ababa Ethiopia ahead of the 46th CAF Ordinary general Assembly. The assembly commenced on Tuesday 22nd October 2024, and the CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Ombaa led the discussions as the event kick off at 10:00 local time at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel. The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association joined other top football administrators / leaders and delegates of Members Association across African. CAF President Dr. Motsepe is expected to throw light on the successes of CAF over the past few years and also discuss initiative to promote growth and investment in African Football. Also in attendance from are the Former Inter Milan and Monaco Striker Mohamed Kallon who joined the President and the Acting Secretary General as rep...

By: Abdulrahman Barrie The U17 football teams from Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau have been disqualified from the 2024 U17 African Cup of Nations competition in Senegal after failing the mandatory MRI test scans. These scans, which determine the age of the players, revealed discrepancies that led to their removal from the tournament. The disqualification follows changes to Article 27.4 of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations regulations, which have tightened the criteria and enforcement of age verification measures. The updated rules stipulate that if a team has more than four players deemed ineligible after the MRI eligibility test, the entire team will be disqualified. The MRI tests, used to enforce age restrictions in youth competitions, are crucial for ensuring fairness. Unfortunately, the teams from these three nations did not meet the age criteria, resulting in their disqualification. This decision has come as a significant disappointment for the young players and their fans, w...

By: Tejan Frederickson Fatorma Jalloh and Momoh I. Kamara, standout performers from Sierra Leone’s U-20 team have made their debut for the senior national team, Leone Stars. This significant milestone follows their exceptional performances in the recently concluded WAFU Zone A U-20 tournament in Liberia where the Sierra Leone Shooting Stars qualified for their first-ever U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2025. Head Coach Amidu Karim, impressed by their displays decided to give Jalloh and Kamara the opportunity to showcase their talents on a larger stage. Jalloh, playing as a right-back, and Kamara, positioned as a central forward were instrumental in the U-20 team’s success. Jalloh featured in the double-header matches against Ivory Coast, while Kamara started from the bench. Despite Sierra Leone losing the first leg they secured a victory in the return leg fixture making it a historic win against the Elephant. This debut marks a significant milestone in both players’ careers and u...

By: Desmond Kallon   The President and Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone have generously donated 1,600 NL to the parents' body, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists Eastern Region, for the purchase of ten bags of cement for the compliment of the SLAJ region office secretariat east. President Sahr  Morris Jr shared his sentiments regarding the groundbreaking projects led by Madam Victoria  Bernard and her team, also encouraging other affiliate bodies to contribute, as the office is intended for all journalists and other affiliate bodies. Vice President Mohamed L. Bah reflected on his experience at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists meeting where Madam Victoria Bernard briefed national members on the construction project, noting that this initiative would serve as a beacon for other regions. Madam Victoria Bernard the Chairperson, expressed gratitude to the President and Vice President for their donation, highlighting that the Sierra Leo...

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray   The commencement of the 2024/25 Sierra Leone Premier League this month as per the  announced season calendar by the Sierra Leone Football Association remains uncelear as the newly appointed Premier League Board for this season's league has remained tight-lipped about same. This delay has raised questions over the preparedness of the board and whether the league will begin as scheduled. Typically, by this stage, football leagues would have already published their fixtures, sponsorship announcements, and other key packages, ensuring a smooth and well-organized start to the season.  However, the ongoing silence from the Premier League Board has left clubs, sponsors, and fans in limbo, unsure of when the matches will officially kick off. The absence of a fixed calendar date has sparked growing frustration among football lovers, who argue that the planning and execution of a national league require proper organization and timely communication.  Clubs are...

By: Alex Paul Bangah In its almost two decades of existence, the Makeni Veterans Football Club (MVFC) will for the first time in Freetown, Western Sierra Leone engage in two friendly matches. The club confirmed on Thursday evening. Northern Times undestoods that the first friendly match will be against Art Center Foundation Veterans Football Club, on Saturday morning at the Saint Edwards playing field, and the following day will lock horns with Brookfields United at 4:30 PM for the second friendly. According to the MVFC Chairman Mr. Charles "Chardon" Nwanko, all is set for his team, "logistically and mentally." He revealed that 25 players have been confirmed for the trip. The players he added "will be joined by few officials to depart Makeni on Friday for Freetown. "The trip to Freetown has been made possible by our membership, special thanks and appreciation to Mr. Ibrahim Amobest Batilo and Honorable Martian Bangura for their extra support. Also t...

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray Cricket Sierra Leone (CSL) recently received an ultramodern bowling machine from the United Arab Emirates Cricket Federation. Unveiled at Kingtom Cricket Oval, this high-tech machine is capable of bowling at speeds exceeding 140 miles per hour, simulating various bowling styles. This donation is expected to significantly enhance CSL's training and international competitiveness. CSL Board Chairman, Francis Trevor Samura, highlighted the impact of this equipment as a major boost for the team’s performance on the global stage.

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray I n a groundbreaking move, the English Football Association has officially appointed German manager Thomas Tuchel as the new head coach of the England national football team, the Three Lions.  The decision marks a bold new chapter for English football as Tuchel becomes the first non-British manager to lead the national team since Sven-Göran Eriksson. Tuchel, renowned for his tactical acumen and success at top European clubs like Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Borussia Dortmund, takes over the reins with high expectations.  His appointment comes after a period of mixed results for England, with the FA looking to inject fresh ideas and a modern approach into the squad ahead of major international tournaments. The German tactician is known for his ability to transform teams quickly and his deep understanding of the game, having won multiple trophies, including the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea.  England fans will be hoping that Tuchel’s experience an...

By Azrat Umar Saidu Turay Makeni Sierra Leone In a mouth watering encounter between Sierra Leone and the Elephant of Ivory Coast in the 2025 Morocco African Cup of Nation qualifying match last night at the Samuel kanyon Don Stadium in Monrovia Liberia, Leones Stars succeeded in getting their first ever win against the reigning champion ivory in match their restored their hope of qualifying to Afon in Morocco 2025. Despite losing to the group G leaders by 4-1 in the first leg fixure at the San Pedro stadium in Ivory coast sierra Leone defeated ivory by a goal to zero thanks to Samadiya who made the assist from a set piece very close to the 18th yard box connecting striker Amadu Bakayoko with that famost and clinical finished in the 84th minutes. The Elephant of Ivory coast are 12 games unbeaten in 2024 under head coach Fawe a record that has been broken by the Leones stars of Sierra Leone. Since the world cup qualify match in 1972 Ivory have always edged Leones Stars of Sierra Leone ...

Executive Director of Sierra Leone's National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, has expressed his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Sierra Leoneans for throwing their support behind Leone Stars until they could beat Ivory Coast 1-0 in an impressive Afcon return leg show in Liberia on Tuesday. On Friday, when Leone Stars succumbed to a 4-1 loss against the Ivorians, the NSA Boss was quick to apologise to Sierra Leonean fans for the poor result and said all was not lost. He appealed for a new hope ( https://youtu.be/Ohhdr4avAeA?feature=shared) . That call for rekindled spirits resonated with his motivation of the Leone Stars players to give the return leg match their all. Tuesday's win spoke to his resilience in the face of trial and his equanimity in his display of leadership. The win is a composition of good leadership and unfettered determination to penetrate the walls of the African Nation's Cup Defending Champions. From hopelessness at the peak of ho...

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued an official statement regarding the recent travel disruptions affecting the national teams of Nigeria and Libya ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. Both teams encountered significant logistical challenges that hindered their preparation and travel for crucial qualifying matches. CAF announced that the matter has been referred to its disciplinary board for a thorough investigation. The governing body emphasized that a proper inquiry will be conducted to determine the causes of the disruptions, and appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings. In the statement, CAF expressed concern about the impact of the travel chaos on the teams and the integrity of the competition, stressing that ensuring fairness and smooth operations during the qualifiers remains a priority. The outcomes of the investigation could result in sanctions or corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Fan...

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray Sierra Leone’s national football team, the Leone Stars, secured a vital 1-0 victory against Ivory Coast at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, keeping their hopes of qualifying for AFCON 2025 alive.  The decisive goal came in the 85th minute from star striker Bakayoko, delivering Sierra Leone’s first victory over Ivory Coast in 11 years.  The win was a crucial lifeline for Sierra Leone in their campaign, with just two more matches left in the qualification stage.  The Leone Stars will next face Zambia at their adopted home in Liberia before a final showdown against Chad.  Two victories from these fixtures would guarantee Sierra Leone a spot in the AFCON 2025 tournament.  Head coach of the Leone Stars Amidu Karim praised the team’s resilience, stating, “This win was for the people of Sierra Leone. We fought until the very end, and now we have two more crucial games to seal our spot in AFCON 2025.”  Fans across Sierra Leone remain hopeful that this victory will ...

By: Abdulrahman Barrie Leone Stars triumphed over the African Champions, Ivory Coast, with a 1-0 win in Monrovia on October 15, 2024. Amadou Bakayoko's decisive goal late in the second half secured the crucial three points for Sierra Leone in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.  This victory comes as a significant boost for the team, who were under immense pressure after suffering a 4-1 defeat in Abidjan.  Coach Amdidu Karim and his boys showcased tremendous determination and tactical discipline throughout the match. The defense held strong, fending off several attempts from the Ivory Coast's formidable attackers. Bakayoko's goal was a result of a well-executed counter-attack, demonstrating the team's resilience and strategic prowess.  The win has revitalized the Leone Stars' bid for AFCON qualification, propelling them up the group standings. This pivotal victory has injected new hope and enthusiasm into the squad. Fans in Sierra Leone ce...

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray  In a thrilling final yesterday, Brookfields Community defied all expectations to claim their first-ever Potafa Championship, edging out Belliar Community in a tense post-game penalty shootout.  The highly anticipated clash, held in front of an enthusiastic crowd, saw Brookfields rise to the occasion, silencing critics and etching their name in the tournament's history. The first half was dominated by Belliar’s star players Oga Musa and Lansana, who both created multiple goal-scoring opportunities. Brookfields’ goalkeeper Mohamed proved to be a formidable force, making crucial saves to keep his team in the match. His heroic performance set the tone for what would become a battle of nerves. After a goalless regulation time, the game was decided by penalties. Belliar’s Maicon saw his attempt saved by Mohamed, who continued his outstanding display between the posts.  The decisive moment came when Keita of Brookfields calmly slotted home the final penalty...

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray  All roads will lead to the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Liberia on Tuesday, October 15, when Sierra Leone’s (Leone Stars) takes on the Ivory Coast in a critical AFCON 2025 qualification match.  Despite being an away fixture for Ivory Coast, the Ivorian Elephants are coming off a dominant performance in San Pedro, where they secured a convincing victory, setting the stage for another potential goal fest. But for Sierra Leone, this game presents a do-or-die situation. A win for Ivory Coast would see them extend their lead with 12 points, all but guaranteeing their spot in the tournament while  Sierra Leone could further sink at the bottom of the group, with just 1 point on the board so far, if they suffer another defeat to the Ivorians. The pressure is on for Coach Amidu Karim and his technical team to find a solution to stop the Ivorians lethal attacking force. Thus, Sierra Leone's defense will need to be at their best to keep them at bay evev though ...

By: Joseph Adeshyllon Mansaray Libya and Nigeria's football teams have faced significant travel difficulties ahead of their AFCON 2025 qualification matches, sparking concerns over the handling of logistics and fair play in the tournament. Last week, Libya's national team traveled to Nigeria to honor their fixture, only to be met with extended delays at the airport. Reports indicate that after the long wait, the team had to endure a lengthy drive to their hotel, causing frustration and fatigue ahead of their crucial game. I n a turn of events yesterday, Nigeria's team arrived in Libya for their return fixture, only to encounter similar obstacles. The Nigerian squad reportedly faced long delays at the airport and were met with inadequate transportation, as a single mini-bus was dispatched to transport the team to their accommodation. The incidents have raised questions about the treatment of visiting teams in AFCON qualifiers, with fans and commentators alike calling for the...

The African Football Journalists Association (AFOJA) hereby express total sadness and grief at the situation in Nigeria where seven crew members from SuperSport were abducted on the road, en route to cover the game of the AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Libya in Uyo on 11 October. Even more tragic was the fact that one of the seven was actually shot and killed by the abductors in the incident. In a statement by the leadership of AFOJA, signed by Executive Secretary Nuhu Adams, such sad occurrence is very worrying as it means that the safety of our colleagues is at high risk in the innocent discharge of their regular duties. ‘We decry this barbaric act that violated the safety of our colleagues and hope the authorities in high risk countries will take note and act on ensuring the safety of professionals whose main motivation was to bring the game we all enjoy to the screens and pages of viewers and readers to enjoy. ‘We commiserate with the family of the deceased. No words can expla...

By: Bei Santigie T. Kamara Let’s face it… Far too often, we point fingers at our national coaches for Leone Stars’ failures, but we most importantly fail in our consciences to accept that; structural issues, poor team management, inadequate infrastructure, and an uncompetitive player composition add significant problems to our country’s national team underperformance. We expect quick results, yet rarely pause to question the foundation our football is built on. Blaming the coach is easy, but rarely do we reflect on the bigger picture or the broader problems plaguing Sierra Leone’s football. While coaches are instrumental in leading our national teams, the quality of the squads and the drive for performance are paramount. It’s not always about who is coaching the team, but on the quality and availability of the squad and the players’ readiness to compete, their hunger for success, and/or whether the system supports their growth and concern about building a reputable national team d...