By Amin Kef-Ranger
It could be recalled that one of the things that were agreed upon during the official signing sponsorship agreement between Africell and the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), on the 1st October 2021, was that all matters bordering on briefing the media and the general public about any development related to the preparedness of the national team towards the forthcoming AFCON 2020 competition should be done via Africell.
It was against such a backdrop that on the 14th October 2021 Africell and SLFA engaged members of the Fourth Estate and by extension, the general public in order to brief them about Leone Stars’ performances in the friendly matches it recently played in Morocco.
Present were members of the staff of Africell, officials of SLFA, a galaxy of journalists from various media houses, and some members of the public.
The Head of Media of SLFA, Ibrahim Kamara, intimated that the country was properly represented during those friendly matches with the aim of building a formidable team that will vigorously compete and go through the 1st rounds, saying it is at that stage in the past that the team usually stuck.
He disclosed that the match between Leone Stars and Ethiopia ended 1-1 which he said was good maintaining that the team put on a very good performance. Ibrahim continued that with regards to the game that was played between Leone Stars and South Sudan it also ended in a 1-1 draw and with The Gambia it ended in the national team bagging 2 goals and The Gambia nil. With regards the game played with Morocco, it ended in Leones Stars losing to Morocco 2-1.
He furthered that the team is back in the country maintaining that for now the focus should be on what we learned during those friendly matches and to get a clear vision as to what to take note of.
On his part, Head Coach of Leone Stars, John Keister, disclosed that prior to departure for Morocco they invited foreign players stating that twenty-nine of them turned up but one did not show up but promised to join the team later. He said their aim is to bring onboard players that are better than those that the team previously had.
Keister said some of the players incurred injuries during those friendly matches but was full of praise for the team’s performances which, according to him, were very impressive.
“As we continue to prepare of AFCON 2020 to be played in Cameroon we intend putting together a national team that will be really competitive,” he expressed determination adding that as at now 30% has been gained in terms of participation with a remaining 70% to be achieved maintaining that preparation to be finally ready is in high gear stating that it is a process.
Head of Corporate Affairs of SLFA, Mohamed Benson Bawoh, in his statement stated that they are working on transitioning the team. He continued that the team had the opportunity of playing friendly matches in order to identify eligible players that will be chosen to play in the upcoming AFCON competition. He then gave a brief analysis of the games that were played between Leone Stars and Nigeria, Lesotho and others.
He said those matches have given the Head Coach an insight into better understanding that the country’s players can compete well.
“It is important to give the Head Coach all the necessary support so that we will bring laurels to the country,” he appealed adding that the team will be camped in November and in December there will be a final tournament camp but the venue has not yet been determined.
He explained that there are some benchmarks which our foreign players must fulfill before they are released by the clubs they are playing for but maintained that things are going according to plan.
Head of Events and Sponsorship of Africell, Abdul Aziz Kamara, congratulated Leone Stars for the performances the team has displayed so far. He said the telecommunications company is committed to continue rendering its support to enhancing sports within the country.
“We must all rally behind the national team because what we have not achieved in 25 years is what we have now gained and so we need to make good use of this opportunity to put Sierra Leone in the limelight,” he enjoined and made a passionate appeal for individuals and other institutions to render whatever support they deem necessary to see the team emerge victorious in the AFCON competition.
He pointed out that Africell is in the position to sponsor Leone Stars simply because subscribers are patronizing the company and therefore he extended thanks to all their numerous but esteemed customers or subscribers for making such become a reality.
Responding to a question relating to a letter said to have been written by Babadi Kamara, Head of SLFA Media, stated that the letter was addressed to the SLFA President but unfortunately leaked. He revealed how the content of the letter has been discussed by the Executive Committee and probably feedback will soon be out.
Also responding to why certain members of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) were not included in the delegation, he said he was the very one who came up with the idea of including representatives of the organization. “Unfortunately, it was late after all necessary arrangements have been made,” he said adding that an arrangement has been concluded for a SWASAL representative to report the female football match to be played in Liberia under the AFCON Female Competition.
The Head Coach is trying to make a clarification said with regards the foreign-based players as long as the due process has been followed and FIFA is fully informed then everything falls in place.
A question and answer session marked the climax of the press engagement.
