Sierra Leone journalist and former SWASAL President, Alhaji Mohamed Fajah Barrie, says Leone Stars head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa must take responsibility for the team’s defeats to Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Speaking to Umaru Fofanah on AYV’s State of the Nation programme, Barrie described Sierra Leone’s 3-2 defeat to Zimbabwe as disappointing, saying the head coach failed to manage the game properly after taking a two-goal lead.

“That defeat was due to failing to apply proper game management. The coach should take responsibility for the failure to protect Sierra Leone’s two-goal advantage,” Barrie said.

He added: “He invited the majority of the foreign-based players, and I was expecting him to apply proper game management to hold on to that 2-0 lead against the Warriors of Zimbabwe,” he stressed.

Asked how Sierra Leone could improve its performances in future qualifiers, Barrie called on the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) to place greater emphasis on youth development rather than relying primarily on short-term solutions.

“I know we all want the results now, but focusing on youth football would help in the future,” he said.

Barrie cited Morocco as an example of a country that has invested significantly in youth development and is now benefiting from that long-term approach.

His comments come amid continued discussions about the need for Sierra Leone to strengthen its football development structures and establish a sustainable pathway for young players into the senior national team.

On Sierra Leone’s chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON tournament, Barrie acknowledged that the task will be difficult but said the team could keep its hopes alive with positive results against DR Congo in November.

“It’s not an easy task, but securing six or possibly four points against DR Congo in November will keep our hopes alive. We are playing the highest-ranked team in our group, and they have secured six points already,” he said.

Barrie also highlighted the importance of Sierra Leone being able to host its home matches in the country, arguing that playing on home soil could provide Leone Stars with an advantage.

He noted that Sports Minister Augusta James-Teima has promised that Sierra Leone will be in a position to host international matches by November 2027.

During the programme, host Umaru Fofanah stated that the government had provided almost US$3 million for Sierra Leone’s four AFCON qualifying matches, comprising the two previous fixtures against Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea and the upcoming double-header against DR Congo.

Sierra Leone will face DR Congo in November, with the results expected to play a significant role in determining the team’s prospects in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.