By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The Acting General Secretary of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Mohamed Benson Bawoh, has highlighted the Association’s commitment to safeguarding in football and outlined preparations for the Leone Stars ahead of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Speaking on safeguarding, Bawoh disclosed that about 80% of SLFA staff have been trained as Safeguarding Officers, and all staff were required to complete the FIFA online safeguarding training. He emphasized that player safety remains a central part of Sierra Leone’s football development process.
On the national team’s preparations, Bawoh revealed that the SLFA President and Executive Committee have secured international friendly matches, including participation in the FIFA Series against Azerbaijan, St. Lucia, and Oman. He noted that these matches are critical for preparing the players ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Bawoh also addressed the matter of the Association’s autonomy, stating that the SLFA President has engaged the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ministry of Sports on the issue. He stressed that for Sierra Leone to qualify for AFCON 2027, the Leone Stars must be fully managed by the SLFA, noting that government intervention in team management will soon become a thing of the past.