By: Alusine Rehme Wilson
As Bhantal Football Club prepares to make its debut in continental football, newly appointed head coach Ibrahim Sillah says he is determined to guide the team to a historic campaign in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.
The Sierra Leonean Premier League runners-up will host Guinea’s Hafia FC this Saturday, September 20, at the Southern Arena in Bo, in the first leg of the preliminary round.
Speaking to AWE Media Sierra Leone, Coach Sillah described the upcoming match as a defining moment for both the club and the country.
“Bhantal FC may be a young club, but what they’ve achieved in just two years is remarkable,” Sillah said. "Now, we have an opportunity to represent Sierra Leone on the continental stage, and I’m here to make sure we do so with pride and purpose," he noted.
Established only two years ago, Bhantal FC has rapidly climbed the ranks of Sierra Leonean football. The club has finished as runners-up in the national Premier League in consecutive seasons and now carries the hopes of the nation into the CAF Confederation Cup.
Sillah, a seasoned coach with a CAF A License, believes his experience will be crucial in navigating the demands of continental football.
His coaching journey has included stints with FC Johansen, East End Lions, Lauwa FC, and the junior national teams of Sierra Leone. He also played a key role in grassroots development as head coach of Collegiate Secondary School.
He said: "Coaching is never easy,” he admitted. “But I’ve been in the game long enough to understand what it takes at this level. I’m here to add tactical depth to what the team already has.”
Responding to the question about what he thinks about his opponent, (Hafia FC), coach Sillah replied that "Hafia FC of Guinea are no strangers to continental competition."
He acknowledges the challenge ahead. "Hafia is a strong side, and we respect that. But I have full confidence in my players. Many of them have international experience, whether at club level or with the national team, and I believe they’re ready to rise to the occasion.”
He also noted that the club has signed several new players ahead of the CAF campaign, and his focus is on integrating them quickly into the team’s system, saying: "It’s about sharpening our tactical discipline and aligning with a playing style that can match continental standards. That’s what we’re working on every day in training.”
With the first leg set to take place in Bo, Coach Sillah is calling on Sierra Leoneans to show their full support. He said: "We’re representing more than just a club, we’re representing a country,” he said. “We need everyone behind us, both at home and abroad. That support can make a real difference on matchday.”
However, a win on Saturday would give Bhantal FC a vital advantage heading into the second leg in Guinea, and more importantly, would mark a significant step toward reaching the group stage, a milestone achievement for a club making its continental debut.
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