The Sierra Leone Premier League returns with fans spellbound – Vertex Sports

Freetown | 24th April 2021 | Vertex Media

After the 2019/2020 league season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, fans across the country have welcomed the 2021 Premier League season with joy after one year. Their excitement was awesome for a game they have been longing for.

Eighteen (18) clubs are participating in the revitalised Sierra Leone Premier League.

Football fans were in high anticipation to see the return of the country’s top flight league that was brought to a year-long halt by COVID-19.

Despite the Coronavirus restrictions, the indefatigable Premier League Board (PLB), under the astute leadership of Lawyer Alieu Vandi Koroma, was able to convince the health authorities to give greenlight for the return of the league, and to also allow 30% of spectators to attend matches.

First fixtures kicked off on Friday 23rd April 2021 with 3 matches. In the early fixtures, newcomers Mount Auroel SLIFA F.C held Anti Drugs F.C to a goalless draw at the Approved School playing ground, in the East of Freetown, and the match between another newly promoted side – Sierra Leone Police FC and East End Tigers FC also ended in a stalemate at the Police field in Kingtom, Freetown.

In the late fixture, F.C Kallon walloped Ports Authority in a 3-0 victory at the Siaka Stevens Stadium. Ports’ goalkeeper gave the Cavaliers the lead after scoring an own goal in the 30th minute of play, followed by a wonderful goal from Baimba Sesay to make it 2-0 at halftime. A brilliant second half strike by Sallieu Tarawallie cemented a 3-0 win for FC Kallon, which sends them to the top of the 2021 Premier League table.

Meanwhile, on Saturday 24th April, newly promoted Bai Bureh Warriors F.C will host Mighty Blackpool at the Portloko Mini Stadium, East End Lions will also travel to Bo City to face Bo Rangers FC at the Bo Mini Stadium, while Freetown City F.C will host Old Edwardians F.C at the Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown. All matches will commence at 4:15pm.

The excitement of football loving fans on the streets and on social media is absolutely amazing. Their beautiful game is back, much more better. Even amidst the Ramadan fasting and the COVID-19 restrictions, fans were left with no option but to storm the various venues across the city.

Top stakeholders were spotted at the Siaka Stevens Stadium. The Chief Minister Prof. David Francis, the Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, the Executive Director of the National Sports Authority Dr. Kenneth Brima, the SLFA General Secretary Christopher Kamara, and many other personalities were in attendance.