The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) will head to the polls on Saturday, August 2nd, to elect a new executive committee. This election comes at the end of Thomas Daddy Brima’s mandate, which officially expired in June.
Brima will not be on the ballot. The SLFA Ethics Board disqualified him from seeking re-election over allegations of fraud and presenting a forged document.
This leaves three candidates vying for the presidency:
- Babadi Kamara – Executive Chairman of Bo Rangers FC, who have dominated the Sierra Leone Premier League for three consecutive seasons. Kamara is also the owner of the Southern Arena Stadium in Bo and a former Team Manager of the Leone Stars.
- Alhaji Umaru Bah – Current Team Manager of the Leone Stars and Chairman of Real Republicans FC, a club competing in the second-tier league.
- Aminata Bangura – The only female candidate. She holds an executive role at Freetonian SLIFA FC. Although initially disqualified by the SLFA Ethics Board, she was reinstated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and granted provisional clearance to contest.
Who Has the Edge?
- Babadi Kamara is widely seen as the frontrunner. His stewardship of Bo Rangers, coupled with his heavy private investment in the Southern Arena Stadium, has earned him strong credibility among stakeholders. His financial influence and recent success in club football give him a clear advantage.
- Alhaji Umaru Bah enjoys national team experience as Leone Stars’ Team Manager and has longstanding ties in Sierra Leonean football administration. However, his influence at club level is weaker compared to Kamara, which may reduce his voting bloc.
- Aminata Bangura represents the most symbolic candidacy. If elected, she would make history as one of two women to lead Sierra Leone’s football. While her reinstatement by CAS has energized her campaign, her limited visibility and resources make her an outsider in this race.
Likely Outcome
Given the balance of power, Babadi Kamara appears best positioned to secure victory. His track record, resources, and reputation for delivering results at the club level set him apart. Alhaji Umaru Bah could still mount a challenge, leveraging his national team connections, but he faces an uphill battle. Aminata Bangura, while unlikely to win, has already made an impact by breaking barriers and reshaping the conversation about women in football leadership.
As delegates cast their votes tomorrow, the central question is whether Sierra Leonean football will choose continuity through established male leadership—or open the door to a more inclusive future.
