By Pa Alie Sesay
New coach of Leone Stars, Mohamed Kallon, has expressed his determination to bring a fresh outlook to the Leone Stars and deliver positive results. Kallon emphasized that he is committed to reshaping the team and ensuring that players are selected based on merit, not connections.
“I am here to give Leone Stars a new face. I will do all that it takes to make the team perform well and get the desired result.” He reaffirmed his focus on performance and transparency, stating that foreign-based players who have not been playing regularly at their clubs will not be called up for international matches. “Players should join the national team based on their performance,” he added.
Mo Kallon expressed his gratitude to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), the Ministry of Sports, and the National Sports Authority for entrusting him with the responsibility of selecting his backroom staff. He acknowledged their support, saying: “I thank them for appointing me as Leone Stars coach and giving me the sole opportunity to choose my backroom staff.”
The former Leone Stars captain has already been in contact with some foreign-based players, as he works to build a competitive squad ahead of the team’s upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau on March 20, 2025 and Egypt on the 25.
Kallon revealed that his backroom staff has already been finalized and will be officially presented to the SLFA soon, alongside the list of selected players.
He underscored his deep passion for Sierra Leone’s footballing future. He also highlighted his primary goal of guiding the Leone Stars to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), after the country’s failure to qualify for the past two editions.
Kallon is determined to break that cycle and secure a spot in the tournament while also keeping hopes alive for a potential World Cup appearance. “The World Cup is a possibility, and I am working towards that,” Kallon affirmed.
With a three-year contract in place, Kallon’s ambitions are clear, and he remains confident that with time, the Leone Stars will rise to the level expected by Sierra Leoneans. He called for patience from the nation’s supporters, promising that while the transformation may not happen overnight, success is within reach.
“My love for my country drives me to take this job,” Kallon ended.
