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Sierra Leonean football is set for a landmark FA Cup final later this month as East End Lions and Mighty Blackpool, the country’s two oldest and most successful clubs, prepare to face off at the Bo Southern Arena.
The final, which represents the fiercest rivalry in Sierra Leonean football, will mark the first time these two historic giants have met for the FA Cup trophy in recent memory.
East End Lions secured their place in the final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over FC Kallon at the Approved School. Emmanuel Innocent scored the lone goal that sent “The Killers” through to the championship match.
Mighty Blackpool punched their ticket to the final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Abacha City. Following a tense goalless draw through regulation time, Blackpool showed composure from the spot, converting four penalties to Abacha City’s two to seal a 4-2 shootout win .
The East End Lions-Mighty Blackpool rivalry is the most intense in Sierra Leonean football, drawing sold-out crowds and heavy police presence at the National Stadium in Freetown whenever the two sides meet.
East End Lions, founded in 1928, carry the nickname “The Killers” and have claimed 12 Premier League titles, their most recent championship coming in 2019. The club has won the FA Cup three times, with victories in 1973, 1980, and 1989.
Mighty Blackpool, established in 1923 as Socro United before adopting their current name in 1954, are the oldest club in Sierra Leone. They boast 11 Premier League championships and four FA Cup triumphs. The club, which represents Freetown’s West End, took its name from English club Blackpool as a tribute to legendary winger Stanley Matthews.
Blackpool holds the distinction of being the first Sierra Leonean club to reach the quarterfinal stage of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, achieving that feat in 1989.
For Mighty Blackpool, a victory would end a prolonged period without silverware. Their last league title came in 2001, and this final represents a rare opportunity to return to glory after years of mid-table finishes.
East End Lions, by contrast, have remained competitive in recent seasons but will view this final as a chance to add to their trophy cabinet and assert dominance over their arch-rivals.
The final is scheduled to take place later this month at the Bo Southern Arena. Kickoff time and exact date are expected to be announced by the Sierra Leone Football Association in the coming days.
