SLFA President Warns: No Independence, No AFCON Participation

By Ishmail Saidu Kanu

President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Babadi Kamara, has firmly reiterated the independence of the SLFA as a non-negotiable requirement under international football regulations.

Speaking at the Ministry of Sports’ two-day National Consultative Conference at Occasion View Resort, Lakka, President BBD stressed that Sierra Leone must uphold FIFA’s standards if it intends to safeguard the future of its national team.

Citing Article 19(1) of the 2016 FIFA Statutes, the SLFA President reminded stakeholders that all member associations are obligated to “manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties.”

He noted that this principle is central to global football governance and must be respected especially ahead of the 2026 AFCON qualifiers.

The President voiced concern that the Leone Stars remain the only national team in the world that is “multi-managed,” unlike the other 210 federations that independently run their respective teams.

“The national team coach is not expected to have several bosses. We will manage Leone Stars going forward,” he stressed, warning that the current situation creates confusion and undermines progress.

While acknowledging the Ministry of Sports as the supreme government authority in the sector, President Babadi mentioned that SLFA must retain operational autonomy in football matters.

Failure to do so, he cautioned, could jeopardize Sierra Leone’s AFCON participation in March 2026.

He welcomed the review of key governance documents, including the National Sports Policy, the Sports Codes of Conduct, the Gender Policy on Sports, and the National Sports Authority Act (2017).

The SLFA boss assured stakeholders that the SLFA remains fully committed to cooperation and will give its full support to whatever documents emerge from the conference.

He concluded by reaffirming that football belongs to the people of Sierra Leone. “Leone Stars is the only asset owned by every Sierra Leonean. We must do everything humanly possible to protect it.”