By Pateh Bah

The newly appointed Team Manager of the men national team, Leone Stars, Mr Umaru Bah has recently disclosed his plans to take the darling Leone Stars to new heights.

In a snap interview with this press, Team Manager, Mr Umaru Bah stated that as the country approaches the last two crucial matches, he wants to first acknowledge the resilience and dedication of the players, the coaching staff, and everyone who has been working tirelessly behind the scenes. Being in the role for the past couple of months now, he went on, has been an incredible journey, and that he is grateful for the opportunity to lead what he described as a formidable team.

He furthered that Leone Stars have so far had a mixed set of results with a hard-fought game against the African Champions, where the boys fell short in the first away leg in Ivory Coast and a solid win in in the return fixture held in the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia, leaving Leone Stars in third place with four points. That crucial victory against the reigning African Champions, he further stated, showed Leone Stars’ strength. “Those two matches taught us a lot and gave us a clear understanding of where we stand and what we need to work on, and that despite the setback in the first leg, I believe we are on the right track” Mr Bah asserted.

“Going forward, our focus is on securing victories in the last two matches to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. The players understand the importance of these games not just for them but for the fans and the country as a whole. We have been working on refining our strategy, building on our strengths, and addressing areas that need improvement. The players are highly motivated, and I’m confident they will give everything on the pitch. I also want to acknowledge the role of our supporters. Your support means everything to us, and we feel the energy you bring, whether in the stadium, at home, or wherever you may be. The upcoming games are not just about us as a team but about all of us coming together and striving for a common goal. Our objective is clear. We have two games ahead, and we are going into each of them with a winning mindset. The road may be challenging, but we are ready. I look forward to your continued support as we push forward together,” the business magnate and sports administrator asserted.

Mr Umaru Bah also expressed thanks and appreciation for what he considered as an opportunity to outline the vision and plans for the national team. According to the able Team Manager, the role brings with it both immense pride and responsibility, and that his goal is to not only achieve success in the short term but to create a foundation that ensures sustainable growth and competitive performance for years to come.

Mr Bah also stated that the need to enhance coaching standards   should not be over emphasised, pointing out that for players to improve, they need to be nurtured by experienced, innovative coaches, adding that Leone Stars will implement a rigorous coaching education programme to ensure that the national team coach is up-to-date with the latest techniques, analytics, and strategies in world football.

About tactical flexibility, Mr Umaru bah stated that in international tournaments, adaptability is key, and therefore players will be trained in multiple formations and styles of play to ensure adjustment to different opponents and conditions. By building a versatile and tactically aware squad, he said, Leone stars aim to stay competitive against even the strongest teams.

The team manager stated that it goes without saying that building team unity and national pride remains key, stressing that every player who wears the national colours should feel a deep sense of pride and responsibility. “We will focus on creating a strong team culture that emphasizes unity, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. Each member of the squad will understand that he is not just playing for himself but for millions of fans who support the darling Leone Stars,” Team Bah said, adding that, “Our immediate goal is to qualify for upcoming regional and global tournaments, but we are equally focused on progressing once we are there. We will organize friendly matches with top teams and participate in high-quality training camps, giving our players exposure to intense competition.”

This vision, Mr Bah went on, is ambitious, and that he and his team are confident in the players, staff, and the country’s support. With the right investments, hard work, and dedication, he furthered, they aim to bring pride to fans and establish Leone Stars as a force on the world stage.

It Could be recalled that Leone Stars have played four games losing two away fixtures to Ivory Coast and Zambia with a draw and win in two homes games against Chad and Ivory Coast, respectively, all held in Monrovia, Liberia, leaving Leone Stars with four points and in third position.

As the competition climaxed to its crucial stages, winning the two remaining fixtures will see Leone Stars book a place for the forthcoming Afcon 2025 in Morrocco as the country is poised to take on Chad on the 11th November, 2024 in an away fixture and a decisive home match against Zambia in Monrovia slated for 16th November, 2024.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Mr Umaru Bah as the Team Manager of Leone Stars has been greeted with a bang much to the appreciation of a good number football fans and sports enthusiasts. According to football enthusiasts, the appointment of Mr Umaru Bah as team manager of the male national team sounds a new chapter in national sports, describing it as move that promises innovation, passion, and a renewed dedication to the beautiful game. Known for his good leadership acumen, disciplined approach, and relentless commitment to excellence, Mr Bah has proven himself at every level, and now he is set to take Leone Stars to new heights.

Mr Umaru Bah is a business mogul who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sierramin Bauxite Mining Company, owner of Simbakoro Auto Vehicle dealership in Sierra Leone and America and Chairman of Real Republicans Football Club.