June 17, 2021
Albert Baron Ansu, James Kamara Manneh
The President’s succinct statement was clear and connected with the desire of Sierra Leoneans. He reminded Sierra Leoneans that he had promised to revive the dwindling fortunes of football, something that has come to pass. He used the occasion to welcome home and thanked the national team. He congratulated the stakeholders and all Sierra Leone for the remarkable victory. He challenged the team to do wonders at the AFCON tournament, noting that like Leicester you can come from nowhere to reach somewhere. He said the promised that he made to the teams in cash and land will be delivered next week. He added that from now onwards the players will receive a monthly package without disclosing what will be therein. He said all paper works for the promised land are ongoing to be handed over to each player. His comments were punctuated with applause when he said Paopa Salone go better.
The Siaka Steven stadium was full to brim last night after the national team Leone Star was treated to heroic welcome right across the route from the Guinea border through the capital. The roads were lined with Sierra Leoneans chanting praise, clanging metal pot covers and singing the praise of President Julius Maada Bio for providing the inspiration leading to the victory. The hooting of cars and motor bikes along principal streets created a serenade that tended to unite all Sierra Leoneans. Late in the evening there was a State House notice of float parade to welcome the team home, the fervor of the nation was even heightened way into midnight when the welcome ceremony was observed. Coach John Keister was full of praise when he took the podium to address the nation, stating that it has been a herculean task to reach this point of giving international face to the country. The President of Thomas Daddy Brima was rather concise in his remark, stating that he is tired. He alluded to the amazing scene of applause from Sierra Leoneans from the Guine border to Freetown. He referred to the team as our hero who have displayed good spiri and fought it out based on good leadership to make all Sierra Leone happy. He concluded his remark by offering a ball to the President for being generous and magnanimous in providing the critical logisctics to get the country to the current level. Minister Ibrahim Nyelenken also expressed his happiness over the victory. He said since independence President Bio can pass as the best, noting it is he alone that has promised to restore the football fortunes of the country after twenty five years for the country to qualify to the African nations cup. He described Sierra Leone as a football loving nation. He said president has added value to football and has demonstrated love for football. Musical Ambassador Kao Denero was at hand to provide his trademark bubbling hip hop stage performance after eulogizing fallen football icons starting Brima Attouga Kamara et al