The Sierra Leonean community in Sydney, particularly football enthusiasts, will have every reason to look forward to Wednesday, 28 October, for the highly anticipated derby between Sierra Leone-Sydney and their bitter rivals, Cape Verde.

Although the midweek fixture may not be convenient for some members of the Sierra Leonean community, the stakes are high, with pride and bragging rights on the line. The hype, rivalry and desire for victory make this encounter one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the competition.

The rivalry has taken on another dimension following the switches of Ishmael, popularly known as “Stone Cole”, Ben, Ibby Kabia and former Sierra Leone-Sydney captain Kallie Bangura to Cape Verde. Their move has added extra spice to the encounter, with the prospect of facing their former teammates likely to fuel the competitive atmosphere.

For Kallie Bangura, the encounter presents an opportunity to settle old scores. “It’s time for revenge and unlock the hidden keys,” he declared, setting the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested battle.

However, Sierra Leone-Sydney will be determined to maintain their unbeaten record against their rivals. Cape Verde, meanwhile, will be eager to change that narrative and prove a point against their former teammates.

Sierra Leone-Sydney entered the encounter with confidence, beating Senegal 4-2, while Cape Verde lost 3-2 against the same opponent in their previous match before this week’s bye. Consequently, the derby is not just about bragging rights; both teams will also be desperate to secure victory.

With emotions expected to run high, the match officials will have a crucial role to play. They must remain alert, control the players’ temperament and apply the rules consistently to ensure that the rivalry does not overshadow the spirit of the game.

The pride of two communities is at stake, and former teammates will become opponents for 90 minutes.

The big question remains: Who will emerge victorious in the Sydney derby and claim the bragging rights?