Defending Sierra Leone Premier League champions, East End Lions have endured a difficult start to the new season, failing to build on the strong form that carried them to last year’s title. The Killers are currently rooted to the bottom of the table with just two points after five matches, a run that has left supporters increasingly frustrated.

Lions are yet to record a league victory this season, with their last win coming in October when they defeated Bhantal FC 2–0 in the maiden Unity Cup. Since then, results have gone against the historic Freetown-based club, exposing weaknesses that were largely absent during their championship-winning campaign.

One of the key issues has been the team’s inability to keep clean sheets. Last season, defensive solidity was central to their success, but this term they have struggled at the back. They came close to their first league win against Freetown City after taking a two-goal lead in the first half, only for the City Boys to fight back and force a 2–2 draw at the Approved School Ground, stunning home fans.

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There were brief signs of revival when Lions pushed rivals Bo Rangers in an entertaining clash at the Southern Arena, narrowly losing 3–2 to a well-organised Rangers side. However, that performance failed to spark a turnaround, as the champions have since gone five matches without a win, losing three and drawing two, placing them among the league’s worst performers so far. Some fans have even likened the club’s sudden dip in form to the much-discussed fall from grace experienced by English Premier League giants Liverpool in past seasons.

Elsewhere, Mighty Blackpool are also enduring a tough campaign. The Tiss Tass Boys currently possess the league’s weakest defence, conceding 11 goals in five matches. With just one win and four defeats, Blackpool sit 17th on the table, only a point above East End Lions, and are already under pressure to arrest their slide.

While the early league standings paint a worrying picture for both East End Lions and Mighty Blackpool, the season is still in its early stages. For the champions, tightening their defence and rediscovering the resilience that defined last season could quickly change their fortunes. Mighty Blackpool, meanwhile, must urgently address their defensive lapses and build consistency to climb away from the danger zone. With plenty of matches still to play, both sides have the opportunity to regroup, reset, and prove that their current struggles are only temporary setbacks rather than signs of deeper decline.