AWE Media Sierra Leone

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Technical Committee’s on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 released the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco team of the tournament. The all-star lineup is more than a list of standout names, it's a portrait of African football at its finest. It's dominated by the continent’s three most compelling sides, the All-Star XI features four players each from champions Senegal and hosts Morocco, alongside three from bronze medalists Nigeria.  Together, the recognition of the eleven players of the three nations explained why the AFCON remains one of world football’s most gripping spectacles. Set up in a 4-3-3 formation, the team is anchored by Morocco’s Yassine Bounou between the posts. The experienced goalkeeper was a model of composure throughout the tournament, producing reflex saves and commanding his area with authority as Morocco surged to the final on home soil. The defence blends elegance, power...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  The now-infamous “goalkeepers’ towel dramas," at the 2025 CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) should have been just a footnote in football but has now became one of the most talked-about subplots of the continent's most prestigious hosted in Morocco.  Across the tournament’s most decisive nights, the semi-final and the grand final, a simple towel, used by goalkeepers to dry gloves and steady nerves, became a flashpoint for controversy, gamesmanship accusations, and debates about sportsmanship on Africa’s biggest football stage. The drama first erupted during the tense semi-final clash between hosts Morocco and Nigeria.  As the match stretched nerves to breaking point, Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali repeatedly found his towel placed behind the goalpost as part of his routine, removed or displaced. Television cameras caught moments of confusion as Nwabali turned to retrieve it, only to discover it missing again.  Nigerian pla...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Sierra Leone's Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Faiya Sellu, has described the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) Brass Band as a lasting source of national pride, as the force unveiled its newly acquired regimental brass band instruments in Freetown. Speaking on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Police Kingdom Mess, while delivering the keynote address at a brief but symbolic unveiling ceremony, IGP Sellu described the moment as "a historic milestone in the development of the Sierra Leone Police." He said it was a personal honour to unveil the new instruments, noting that the Sierra Leone Police Brass Band had for many years operated with outdated and inadequate equipment.  The police boss went on to describe the investment in the brass band as a bold and strategic decision, particularly at a time when the police force faces competing demands and multiple development priorities. “Despite the many pressing needs confronting the institution, the d...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson   President Julius Maada Bio will on Sunday morning, January 18, 2026, deliver a nationwide presidential address to commemorate Sierra Leone’s National Remembrance Day, a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring victims and survivors of the country’s decade-long civil war. The address, scheduled for 7:00 AM in the morning marks the formal observance of the day historically proclaimed recently by President Bio in line with key recommendations of Sierra Leone’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report.  The TRC, established after the war ended in 2002, called for an annual National Remembrance Day as a way to acknowledge the suffering endured by thousands of civilians, promote national healing, and ensure that the horrors of the conflict are never forgotten. According to the TRC report, remembrance is central to reconciliation, the report recommend for state-led commemoration of war victims, public education on the causes and consequences of the con...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala has been appointed to officiate the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between tournament hosts Morocco and Senegal, scheduled for 19:00GMT on Sunday night in Rabat. Referee Ndala, who previously handled the tournament’s opening match between Morocco and Comoros, will be assisted by fellow Congolese officials Guylain Ngila and Mwanya Mbilizi.  Additionally, South Africa’s Abongile Tom will serve as fourth official, while Pierre Ghislain leads charge of Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) to be assisted by Leticia Viana and Stephane Eleazar Yiembe. The highly anticipated final will be played at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, where Morocco aim to end a five-decade wait for continental glory against a formidable Senegal side seeking to further cement its status among Africa’s football elite. After a month of compelling action that highlighted the depth and quality of African football, the TotalEnergies AFCON 202...

By: Ishmael Bayoh I welcome you again to the second episode of the year. The highlight focuses on the first cabinet meeting held by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio on Wednesday 14th.  The President’s message to his Ministers is unequivocal: this must be a year of decisive action, one in which to not only accelerate the country’s progress but also implement meaningful steps that will significantly impact the lives of Sierra Leoneans. This Week with President Bio’s Development Agenda brings some developmental highlights from Friday 9th to Friday 16th January 2026.  ▪️Following President Bio’s New Year’s Day address, on Tuesday 13th, he held a strategic meeting with his Ministers and stakeholders to prioritize programs and activities for this year of action as his administration is committed to making progress that positively impacts all Sierra Leoneans. ▪️On Tuesday 13th at the Freetown International Conference Center, Sierra Leone signed a landmark Memorandum of Under...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Renowned lawyer, academic and businessman, Emanuel Saffa Abdulai (PhD) has confirmed the start of high-level political discussions with Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Timothy Kabba, over their future leadership ambitions within the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). Lawyer Abdulai, who also serves as Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), disclosed that he personally visited the Foreign Affairs Minister at his tower hill office in Freetown, where they held talks centered on the eventual succession of President Julius Maada Bio, the strengthening of an Eastern Region political alliance, and the promotion of partnership built on diversity within the party. According to him, the discussions reflected a shared belief that the growing call from the Eastern Region for leadership within the SLPP represents a demand for justice, inclusion and fairness in the party’s future direction. Meanwhile, the emerging dialogue ...