Sources from the Football Association (FA) have confirmed that the final of the Orange FA Cup, sponsored by Orange Mobile Company (SL) Ltd., will take place early next month in Bo at the Southern Arena Stadium.
The highly anticipated final will feature two traditional rivals, Mighty Blackpool and East End Lions FC, battling for the prestigious FA Cup trophy. The winner will represent Sierra Leone in the 2026 CAF Confederation Cup, in addition to receiving a trophy and a cash prize.
However, concerns have been raised by fans over reports circulating on social media. Supporters are urging the FA to announce the officiating referees only on the day of the match. According to them, this measure will help prevent any attempts to influence officials and reduce the risk of match-fixing.
Fans emphasized that the match is crucial, as it offers automatic qualification to continental competition. With both teams currently outside the top five in the Leone Rock Premier League, the FA Cup presents a valuable opportunity to compete at the continental level.
In addition to concerns about officiating, fans have also called on organizers to strengthen security arrangements for the match. They noted that ongoing debates on social media suggest a high level of tension among supporters ahead of the final.
Both teams are determined to secure victory. In their most recent encounter, East End Lions defeated Mighty Blackpool at the SLFA Academy Field. In the league standings after 26 matches, East End Lions sit in 8th position with 34 points, while Mighty Blackpool are in 10th place with 33 points.
