By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
On Wednesday, 5th March 2025, the Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima, visited the Leone Stars’ training session at the SLFA Academy to offer her congratulations and motivation to both the players and the newly appointed head coach, Mohamed Kallon.
Her visit comes at a critical time as the team seeks to regroup and focus on future international qualifications, particularly for the 2026 World Cup, after missing out on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In her address, Minister James-Teima began by commending Coach Kallon and the team for their dedication. “Let me start by congratulating Mohamed Kallon and the team. This is not a surprise because we know you are fit for the job. You’ve been in it before,” she stated.
She acknowledged Kallon’s vast experience as both a player and a coach. “This is an achilles’ task because you are taking over something that you did not start, but with your special skills and the support of your backroom staff, you will be able to correct any mistakes that have been made,” she added.
Minister James-Teima went on to express the country’s high expectations for the team, believing that Kallon and his staff would not disappoint. “We have high expectations, and I believe you will not disappoint us,” she remarked, further thanking the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) and the National Sports Authority (NSA) for their continued support.
In her speech, the Minister also made it clear that the government would offer full backing to the Leone Stars as they aim for World Cup qualification. “We will give you all the support to ensure we succeed. I feel very happy about this because we have the right people in the right place. We will work with the NSA and SLFA hand in hand to make things better for football.”
Addressing the players directly, the Minister urged them to stay focused and disciplined, emphasising the importance of teamwork and personal conduct. “You also have to be disciplined because that is the hallmark of success in this game. Do your best to make it work because you are among the few chosen from the eight million people in Sierra Leone to make the most of this opportunity,” she said. “It is a big assignment for you, so don’t let us down. Let’s work together to reach our goal.”
In response, Coach Mohamed Kallon expressed gratitude for the visit and the encouraging words from the Minister. “We are happy for the visit,” Kallon said. “I don’t want to say the national team is broken, but we are under construction. We are trying to build a formidable team that can compete comfortably with other African giants.”
Kallon emphasised the ongoing efforts to improve the team, stating that there is hope for the future. “We are at work now and we are happy for the motivational speech. We are here to deliver, and I believe in the boys. We have potential, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. We are thankful that you are ready to support us.”
Her visit and the statements from both the Minister and Coach Kallon underline the commitment to rebuilding the national football team.