By Foday Moriba Conteh
After emerging victorious in the crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Conakry, Guinea by defeating Benin 1-0, the President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio congratulated our darling Leone Stars on the 16th June 2021 further urging the nation, from his balcony at State House, to draw inspiration from the win in order to think big.
Leone Stars were welcomed at the National Stadium by the President himself, a large number of Government officials and Sierra Leoneans from across the country after the team joined a float parade that started from the far East End to the West End of Freetown.
Introducing the players to the jubilant crowd at the stadium, Head of Corporate Affairs at the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Mohammed Benson Bawoh, stated that the journey that led to the country’s qualifying for AFCON after 25 years started on the 13 November 2019, adding that they were all happy to see the country celebrate such an achievement.
Team Captain, Umaru Zengalay Bangura, assured the President and the people that they would make the country proud at the AFCON games which are scheduled for early 2022 in Cameroon.
He said notwithstanding the challenges they had they were determined to bring victory for the country. He also asked for the nation’s continued support ahead of the AFCON games.
Head Coach, John Keister, thanked the President, his Government, the players and all Sierra Leoneans for their support to the team. He stated that the team was part of the country’s development, adding that they were, therefore, keen to give the country a name that would be good for all.
President for the Football Association, Thomas Daddy Brima, described President Bio as a great man, adding that because of his love for sports he made several commitments for football and that was why they were all gathered at the stadium to celebrate. He thanked the players and described them as heroes for fighting a good fight for the country.
Addressing the jubilant crowd, President Julius Maada Bio said 24 years ago they took the country to AFCON in South Africa and that they are taking the country to AFCON in Cameroon again after 24 years. He added that because he made a promise to the people of Sierra Leone that he would revive football, he had to make all necessary commitments to inspire the players to do their best.
He thanked the players for transforming his words into action, noting that he had no doubt in them that they would do more because he believed in them.
The President furthered that he was happy to be present at the welcome event and thanked everyone who worked toward the success of the match.
“We will continue to strive for higher height, no more small dreams. When I promise, I deliver. I promised that I will take Leone Stars again to the continental stage. This did not come to me as a surprise at all. I believe the boys and I have inspired them enough in the same way I have always wanted to inspire this nation.
“We are a football-loving nation, and I am incredibly happy about this. Just as we trust and believe in ourselves, even out of the football field we can also take this nation to the international level,” he said in a short video released after the match.
“Congratulations to Sierra Leone. We are a football-loving nation, and today, our boys have made history. My Government is committed to promoting football and other sports disciplines,” President Bio also wrote on Twitter.
“Your packages, that I promised you before the match, are all ready and they’re going to be given to you. I’m also challenging you again for the AFCON in Cameroon,” he urged.
