Criticism Mounts Over Sierra Leone National Team Selection Under Coach Amidu Karim

Leone Stars coach Amidu Karim is under fire from football critics for his national team selection choices, following the exclusion of players from BO Rangers, a team that has won the Sierra Leone Premier League back-to-back.

Critics argue that it is unprecedented for a club to dominate the domestic league for two consecutive seasons, yet see none of its players called up for national duty.

“Sierra Leone seems to be the only country in the world where a club can win the Premier League twice in a row, but none of its players are deemed well enough for the national team,” one critic stated.

Several questions have been raised regarding Karim’s selection criteria, with some pointing out the inconsistency. “What criteria is the coach using to select players? If a team can win the league twice and still have no representation in the national squad, it calls into question the purpose of playing in the league. Is selection based on merit, or connections?”

The issue was further fueled when the only player from BO Rangers initially called up was later dropped due to alleged fitness concerns, a move that has sparked skepticism among fans and analysts alike. They question whether fitness was genuinely the issue, or if there is a deeper problem with how players are being evaluated.

Critics are now demanding transparency from the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) and a clearer explanation from Coach Karim.

“Does the coach expect us to believe that none of the players from a club that won the league twice in a row are good enough for the national team?” asked one analyst, calling for a more merit-based approach to player selection.

With key international matches ahead, the SLFA faces mounting pressure to address these concerns and provide clarity on the national team’s selection process.