The executive of the Sierra Leone Football Association few days ago, unveiled a French-born coach, Didier Gomes De Rosa, to be the head coach of Leone Stars.
His immediate task is to take Leone Stars to the 2027 Cup of Nations.
His appointment coincided with Leone Stars’ double friendly match against Lone Star of Liberia.
The friendly match first leg took place in Bo at the Southern Arena and the return match in Liberia at the Samuel K. Doe Stadium in the two friendly matches.
Leone Stars defeated Lone Star 1-0 in Bo but lost to Liberia 3-1 in Liberia.
The essence of the two friendly matches was to enable the new coach to get used to the players and their style of playing.
The outcome of the two friendly matches showed there is much to be done. The new coach was with Al Adalah FC, with 18 matches, they won 2, lost 10, and drew 6 matches.
The new coach has managed two national football teams in Africa, Mauritania and Botswana. Botswana is his most recent international team, which he managed from 3rd November to 16th October 2024, playing 16 matches, winning 6 matches, losing 4, and drawing 6 matches.
Botswana is currently ranked 146th globally and 40th in Africa.
Leone Stars is ranked 119th globally and 33rd in Africa.
His appointment has raised several concerns from football fans about whether he will succeed in Sierra Leone. In the short term, he needs to get used to the majority of the players at home and abroad.
Football authorities have said the two friendly matches will not be enough for the new coach to get to know most of the players.
