By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

Information reaching Africa24 sport desk has revealed that the temporary appointment of Amidu Karim, as caretaker coach and backroom staff in the upcoming AFCON 2026 qualification, is incomplete based on the standard procedures not followed on his selection.

On October 3rd, 2023, the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) issued a letter of appointment to Amidu Karim, Francis Zappa Koroma and Alhaji Abedi Foray to man the affairs of the male senior national team, Leone stars, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

In an exclusive interview with the Public Relations Officer of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Eric Batilo Fomba confirmed to this medium that the appointment of Amidu Karim and others is completely inadequate.

“The Ministry and NSA are aware of the authority to appoint coaches to national team but these appointments should be done in the spirit of objective of your statute [ SLFA] as stated in Article 2(h) (“To host competitions at international and other levels; To promote cordial relationship with the body charged with the overall organization and control of sports in Sierra Leone”) in relation to the above, the Ministry and the NSA direct that for such important appointments, due process should be followed as in previous appointments,” he said.

However, Fomba added that the position should be advertised through credible media houses for international standard to be met, though, as it stands now, the caretaker appointments should run for three months only.

In another sad development, A24 discovered that Mohamed Kallon was about to sign a contract as head coach of Leone Stars but SLFA’s appointment committee wanted to choose their own assistants coach and backroom staff which decision Kallon had refused to accept and that gave an easy pathway for the appointment of Leone Stars’ interim coach, Amidu Karim.

According to the President of SLFA, Thomas Daddy Brima, he said on Africa Young Voices (AYV) TV that six names where selected for the coaching job including Mohamed Kallon, noting that they [SLFA] have the technical expertise to appoint a coach though government is currently interfering into their activities through NSA and SLFA – of which these bodies should be seen independent at all levels.

“We contacted Mohamed Kallon but he turned down our expectation; we believe in the local content policy. We decided to bring in Amidu Karim because he is a team player –  if the best is not available, the available becomes the best,” Mr. Brima said.

Meanwhile, Daddy Brima informed the public that Mohamed Kallon has a four months international match ban, and so they would not work with a coach who is unable to be at the touch line.