Freetown | 11th August 2020 | Vertex Media
The dynamic leadership of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has appointed a 100% Sierra Leonean coaches and technical staff of all categories of the Sierra Leone national football teams.
In a ceremony held on Monday 10th August 2020 at the Atlantic Hall in Freetown, the SLFA announced John Edward Keister as Head Coach of the Sierra Leone Senior Men National Team (Leone Stars), replacing former coach, Ghanaian Sellas Tetteh.
Before the announcement of the appointed national coaches, the General Secretary of SLFA Christopher Kamara recognized 3 individuals for their outstanding services to the national team: Hon. Sam Obi Metzeger, John Jebbor Sherrington and Amadu Rappel Kamara. They were presented signed jerseys of the National Team by the FA.
The following individuals were appointed as Head Coaches of the 8 national football teams:
National Team (Senior Men’s)
- John Edward Keister – Head Coach
- Amidu Karim – Assistant Coach 1
- Dominic Konneh – Assistant Coach 2
National Team (Senior Women’s)
- Abdulai Kaloga Bah – Head Coach
- Hassan Z. Mansaray – Assistant Coach 1
- Princess Babay Jackson – Assistant Coach 2
National Team – Men’s (Home Based and U-23)
- Lamin Bangura – Head Coach
- Charlie Wright – Assistant Coach 1
- Alhaji Foray – Assistant Coach 2
National Team – Men’s (U-20)
- Abu Bakarr Tostao Kamara – Head Coach
- Francis Zappa Koroma – Assistant Coach 1
- Hassan Miller Sesay – Assistant Coach 2
National Team – Women’s (U-20)
- Victoria Conteh – Head Coach
- Ernest Halloway Assistant Coach 1
- Regina Hamilton – Assistant Coach 2
National Team – Boys (U-17)
- Raymond Lewis – Head Coach
- Abdul R. Turay – Assistant Coach 1
- Abdul G. Bangura – Assistant Coach 2
National Team – Girls (U-17)
- Fatmata Bangura – Head Coach
- Martha Conteh – Assistant Coach 1
- Adama Suma – Assistant Coach 2
National Team – Boys (U-15)
- Abu Sankoh – Head Coach
- Mohamed Lamin Kamara – Assistant Coach 1
- Daniel Conteh – Assistant Coach 2
The Executive Committee of the FA also resolved to appoint James Fofanah aka JJ as National Coordinator of the National Teams of Sierra Leone. The General Secretary also made it clear that all Head Coaches ‘must cease to serve their clubs.’ That is, John Keister, Abdulai Kaloga Bah, Victoria Conteh and others must give up their roles in their current respective clubs when they receive their appointment letters.
He also noted that the selection of the coaches was done by the Sierra Leone Football Association in collaboration with the National Sports Authority and the Ministry of Sports.
The Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh congratulated the appointed coaches and technical staff and also reminded them of the ‘herculean’ tasks ahead of them to ensure the national teams in all competitions. “You start work now even without kicking the ball,” he said. He cited four qualities a good coach should have – Discipline, Integrity, Confidence and Courageous.
The Minister assures the Coaches of his Government’s support towards them. He said the coaches will be hired on a ‘Performance Contact’ basis to ensure total commitment to their jobs. He also strongly advised against ‘interference’ in the conduct of their work.
Minister Nyelenkeh also commended the media for their role in promoting the game.
Meanwhile, the Technical Director of the FA Sorie Ibrahim Sesay highlighted pending competitions Sierra Leone will participate in. The pending international competitions include the WAFU Zone A U-17 to be hosted in Sierra Leone in November 2020, this tournament will serve as a qualifier for the Morocco 2021 CAF Boys U-17 Cup of Nations. Sierra Leone Female U-20 will participate in the Female U-20 Tournament in Praia, Cape Verde in December 2020, whilethe Male U-20 will be participatingin the U-20 Tournamentin Senegalin December; the Senior National Male Team will likely play the Cameroon 2022 AFCON Qualifiers in October during the FIFA international windows and many other competitions in 2021.
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