Every football dream has a starting point, and for young Sierra Leonean footballer Abubakarr Sillah (AB Sillah), that journey began on the grassroots grounds of KT Field in Kingtom, Freetown, where his passion for the game gradually developed into a promising football career.
Today, Abubakarr Sillah has moved beyond the familiar playing grounds of his community to represent Sierra Leone on the international stage after earning a place in the Sierra Leone U17 National Team for the WAFU-A U17 CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers in Senegal in 2026.
Born in Freetown on 28 November 2012, A.B Sillah developed an interest in football at an early age and began sharpening his skills through grassroots football. Like many young players with ambitions of reaching the professional level, his early years were characterized by regular training, local competition and the determination to improve his game.
His early football experiences with Zizo, Butak and Blackpool provided an important foundation for his development before he progressed to competitive youth football with Philip FC.
During that period, Abubakarr Sillah continued to develop his technical ability and understanding of the game. His pace, creativity, attacking instincts and ability to find the back of the net gradually distinguished him as a promising young talent.
His versatility has also become an important part of his development. Abubakarr Sillah is capable of operating on the left or right wing and can also play as a centre-forward, giving his coaches different attacking options.
However, his journey from community football to the national team has required more than natural talent. Behind his progress have been hours of training, discipline, sacrifice and a determination to continue improving despite the challenges associated with youth football.
Those efforts eventually earned Abubakarr Sillah a call-up to the Sierra Leone U17 National Team, providing him with an opportunity to represent his country at one of the most important stages of youth football in the sub-region.
His selection represents a significant milestone not only for the young footballer but also for his family, coaches, teammates and others who have contributed to his development from the grassroots level.
The opportunity to compete in Senegal provides Abubakarr Sillah with valuable exposure to international football and the chance to test his ability against some of the best young players from across West Africa.
Although Sierra Leone’s results in the competition so far may not have met expectations, the experience provides an important opportunity for Abubakarr Sillah and his teammates to learn, improve and strengthen their competitive mentality.
Youth football is often as much about development as results and every competitive match presents an opportunity for young players to gain experience, understand the demands of international football and prepare themselves for bigger challenges.
For Abubakarr Sillah, the experience in Senegal therefore represents another stage in a football journey that remains at an early phase.
His progression from KT Field in Kingtom through grassroots teams and Philip FC to the Sierra Leone U17 National Team demonstrates the importance of creating opportunities for talented young footballers to develop their abilities.
The journey also highlights the role grassroots football continues to play in identifying and nurturing young players who could eventually represent Sierra Leone at higher levels of international competition.
KT Field provided the starting point for Abubakarr Sillah, while his experiences with Zizo, Butak and Blackpool contributed to his early development. Philip FC provided another important platform, and his selection for the Sierra Leone U17 National Team has now opened the door to international competition.
Each stage has brought new challenges and opportunities, but the ambition remains much bigger.
Abubakarr Sillah will now be hoping to build on the experience gained with the national U17 side, continue improving his game and position himself for greater opportunities in the years ahead.
For the young attacker, representing Sierra Leone is an achievement to celebrate, but it is not the final destination. It is another important step towards a bigger football dream.
From chasing a football on KT Field in Kingtom to wearing Sierra Leone’s national colours in international competition, Abubakarr Sillah’s story demonstrates how grassroots talent, when combined with discipline, determination and opportunity, can progress to the national stage.
His journey has only just begun and the fields on which he hopes to make his mark could become much bigger in the years ahead.
