The phenomenal Isha Johansen continues to break grounds in global football

Portloko City | 14th March 2021 | Vertex Media

Since Madam Isha Johansen was declared eligible by FIFA in January to contest for the FIFA Council position, there has been little or no support from the state. Instead, some chose to make her the centre negative criticism for standing for the right thing, which is the development of the game at all levels. As a ‘Go-Getter’, she never looked back, but proceeded and faced it all by herself with the SLFA, and now, she has triumphed as an elected member of the FIFA Council.

This is a novelty in Sierra Leone Football, which is just indicative of the fact that with Isha at the helm of our football affairs, our stories will not remain the same, both at home and abroad. Forget the years we’ve wasted in trying to bring her down — from set-asides, boycotts, court trials, suspensions, et al. In all of these challenges, she has maintained her stance and stood her grounds. She has note-worthily accomplished a lots within the little window of her administration (representing less than 15% of uninterrupted term), the remaining 75% was marred by counterproductivism by certain members or groups of persons.

Madam Johansen went to Morocco with no government support for one of the most coveted positions at FIFA. She was only accompanied by a team from the SLFA. Countries like Egypt, had to fly their Foreign Affairs Minister to lobby for their candidate in Morocco; Nigeria sent a high powered delegation on a private jet to do the last minute campaign for their FA President, Amadu Pinnick. Mr. Pinnick also had to rely on Madam Johansen to convince delegates for his support, despite the support dispatched by his government to lobby on his behalf. Liberia’s President George Oppong Weah had to call all the African FA Presidents on the phone to canvass support for Raji’s position at CAF. He even implored Samuel Eto’o to lead the campaign for Raji, while also relying heavily on Madam Johansen for support too. The list goes on and on. For those countries, it means a lot for their image at the international stage. That was why their government used diplomacy and other means to ensure that their candidates succeed.

The same cannot be said about the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, who was left alone to do it all by herself. She had to rely on the good relationship she has built at the world football stage to get the position she contested for, and she ran against an incumbent of that position, which makes it more challenging, but she triumphed and flew the Green, White and Blue high.

Isha Johansen standing next to the new CAF President, Patrice Motsepe

People from other parts of the world see Isha as a source of inspiration and a model to emulate. That’s how she has earned huge respect and support from across. With Isha in charge of our game, the best is yet to come. We are just getting started. And guess what, she’s got the approval of the Almighty God. No amount of attack will stop her from doing what is right.

Isha’s history and personal inputs in football (the birth of FC Johansen as a tool for change and perception not only for Sierra Leone but the continent) by far surpasses many of her colleagues. She has done it and will continue to do more in a fashionable and exceptional manner.

Opined by Ibrahim Sorious Samura