By Abdulai Jalloh & Martin Wusha Conteh

Sierra Leone football has never lacked passion. What we sometimes lack is the ability to put that passion aside when the national interest is at stake.

We argue. We take sides. We defend our favourites. We attack those we dislike. And before long, the football itself becomes the victim.

The question is simple: when Leone Stars walk onto the pitch, who should come first, our egos or Sierra Leone?

You may not like Babadi Kamara. You may not like Mohamed Kallon. That is your right. But whether we like them or not, both men have played their respective roles in Sierra Leone football and have contributed to giving young footballers hope that they can make a career from the beautiful game.

Football is bigger than any individual.

Kallon: Was the timing right?

Let us be honest. Mohamed Kallon made a controversial decision when he became involved in SLFA politics while serving as head coach of Leone Stars. Many football followers did not agree with that move, and I believe it was a mistake.

But disagreement with Kallon does not mean we should ignore his record in the World Cup qualifiers.

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Kallon’s Leone Stars played seven matches, recording three wins, two defeats and two draws. Whether that record was good enough is a matter for football supporters to debate.

But the bigger question remains: was replacing him with a foreign coach at that particular moment the right decision?

The SLFA has the authority to appoint and dismiss coaches. That is part of its mandate. But whenever such a decision is made, supporters will naturally judge the results that follow.

And so far, the results have brought frustration.

From 2-0 up to heartbreak

The defeat to Zimbabwe was one that Leone Stars supporters will not forget easily. Sierra Leone led 2-0 and appeared to be in control. Then came the collapse.

Two goals became three. Hope turned into frustration. A promising afternoon ended in disappointment.

Football can be cruel, but that was more than just a defeat. It was a warning.

Then came Equatorial Guinea.

Another match. Another defeat. This time, 1-0. Two matches. Two defeats. Zero points.

And suddenly, a campaign that started with hope has become a mountain to climb.

DR Congo are already sitting on six points from their opening two matches, while Sierra Leone are at the bottom of Group F.

Our dream of reaching the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is now hanging by a very thin thread.

But should we start firing again?

Already, some supporters are calling for the new coach to be dismissed after only two matches.

That reaction shows just how frustrated people are. But perhaps this is also where we need to pause and ask ourselves whether constantly changing coaches is really taking Sierra Leone football forward.

We cannot build a football project every few months and expect overnight results.

We cannot demand development while simultaneously allowing personal disagreements, politics and egos to dominate every conversation.

Football needs continuity. Football needs planning. Football needs accountability. But above all, football needs unity of purpose.

Sierra Leone first

This is not about choosing Babadi Kamara over Mohamed Kallon.

It is not about choosing the SLFA over the supporters.

It is not about defending one coach or attacking another.

It is about remembering that when Leone Stars play, there is only one badge that matters, the badge on the shirt.

We can disagree in the boardroom. We can argue on social media.

We can debate coaches, administrators, players and tactics.

But when the national team walks onto the pitch, we should all be standing behind the same flag.

Sierra Leone football has talented players. We have passionate supporters. We have people who have invested their money, time and energy into the game.

What we need now is for everyone to understand that no individual is bigger than Sierra Leone football.

Perhaps the painful start to this AFCON qualifying campaign should become a lesson.

If we continue putting ego before the national interest, we will continue going around in circles.

But if we can bury our differences, respect one another and put Sierra Leone first, perhaps the beautiful game can finally give our people something to celebrate again. Ego has no place in the Leone Stars dressing room.

Sierra Leone must come first. Always.