By Millicent Senava Mannah
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has ushered in a new chapter for the national team with the appointment of Abdul Karim Bangura, popularly known as AKB, as Team Manager of the Leone Stars.
The announcement was made on Monday 18th August, 2025, at the SLFA Headquarters in Freetown, where Acting General Secretary Mohammed Benson Bawoh officially presented Bangura to the technical staff and players during a training session. His arrival comes at a crucial moment, as Leone Stars prepare for a busy calendar of international fixtures.
Bangura is no stranger to Sierra Leonean football. Widely respected for his leadership at Bo Rangers Football Club, he played a pivotal role in transforming the team into one of the country’s most successful sides in recent years. His stewardship has been credited with improving the club’s organisation, building player morale, and driving competitive results.
It is this track record that many in the football community believe prepared him for the national stage. “AKB has already proven his ability to manage at the top level of domestic football,” said one SLFA insider. “This appointment is a natural progression.”
In his first public remarks, Bangura described the new role as both an honour and a responsibility.
“My commitment is simple: to work hand in hand with the technical team, players, and management to ensure that Leone Stars are well-prepared, motivated, and supported to achieve success,” he declared, pledging to bring the same drive he demonstrated at club level to the national team.
For Bangura, the position is more than administrative; it is, as he put it, “a call to national service.”
Head Coach Mohamed Kallon, who himself carries the weight of expectations from fans and officials, warmly welcomed the appointment. He described Bangura’s experience with Bo Rangers as evidence of his ability to succeed on the national stage.
“We are happy to have you as Team Manager,” Kallon told him. “You are not new in the game, and we strongly believe you can replicate the same success with the national team.”
Such an endorsement from the technical bench is significant, as it underscores the importance of coordination between management and coaching staff, a relationship that has often shaped the fortunes of Sierra Leone’s football.
Though brief, the unveiling ceremony carried weight. Members of the SLFA Executive Committee, including Pastor Philip Buck, Chairman of the Western Area Football Association, and Brima Jalloh, Chairman of the North-East Region, attended the event, symbolising institutional support for the new manager.
The presence of these regional representatives also reflected the broader expectation that Bangura’s leadership will contribute not only to team success but also to unity in a sport that has long served as a national rallying point.
Bangura takes charge at a time when Leone Stars face heightened expectations. Having recently featured in continental competitions, Sierra Leone’s national team is under pressure to consolidate its gains and move closer to consistent qualification on the African and global stage.
For supporters, Bangura’s appointment is both a moment of pride and a test of whether his proven ability to organise and motivate at club level can be scaled up for the demands of international football.
As the Leone Stars gear up for their next fixtures, one thing is clear: Abdul Karim Bangura’s tenure will be closely watched, with fans hoping that his leadership can help propel the national team to new heights.
