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President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Babadi Kamara, together with members of the Executive Committee, on Monday, April 20, 2026, warmly received the National U-17 Girls team at the SLFA Secretariat following their historic 2-1 victory over hosts Ivory Coast in the first round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup preliminary qualifiers.
Also present to receive the team were the Minister of Sport, Madam Augusta James Teima, SLFA General Secretary Ing. Mohamed Benson Bawoh, Deputy General Secretary Ishmail Saidu Kanu Esq., and Technical Director John Edward Keister.
President Kamara described the win as a landmark moment for Sierra Leone football. He commended the players, technical team, Female Football Manager Elizabeth Alberta Kailey, and Women’s Football Lead Madam Haja Ramatulai Kamara for their outstanding performance against Les Éléphanteaux.
“This is the first time Sierra Leone has recorded a victory against Ivory Coast in this category. This achievement demonstrates what our country is capable of in terms of talent identification and development,” President Kamara said.
He also expressed gratitude to the Ivorian Football Federation for their warm hospitality during the team’s stay in Abidjan. The SLFA President described the gesture as unprecedented and a reflection of the goodwill and growing reputation of the association under its current leadership.
“When leadership is grounded in integrity and credibility, that respect extends to the entire institution,” he added. Minister of Sport, Madam Augusta James-Teima, praised the team for making the nation proud and conveyed congratulations from His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio.
She noted that the President was impressed with the team’s performance and is closely following their progress. “The President is very pleased with what you have achieved. He wishes you continued success as you prepare to face Benin in the next round,” Madam James-Teima said.
Sierra Leone is now set to face Benin in May in the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, with the U-17 Girls carrying the hopes of the nation following their historic victory in Abidjan.
