There is an atmosphere of amusement and celebration across the Northern District of Tonkolili following the qualification of one of the district’s football clubs to the country’s top football league on Saturday 7th October 2023.

After almost a decade since Golden Dragon, one of the district’s oldest football clubs was eliminated from the Sierra Leone Premier League, no team from the district has qualified for the Sierra Leone Premier League.

Fortunately, Kholifa Stars FC has on the 5th of October 2023 ended Tonkolili District’s long-time cry after the club defeated Kahunla Rangers from Kenema District by two goals to nil at the Makeni Wusum field.

The two goals from Alhassan Kargbo alias Torgan and Mohamed Chernor Jalloh alias Bigger Medo booked a space for the Tonkolili side in the 2023/ 2024 top flight football league that will start soon.

The Tonkolili District side has secured nine points and will play the final of the SLFA National Division-1 – 1 play-off with Bhantal FC from Freetown.

However, both teams have qualified for the Sierra Leone Premier League.

There have been jubilations from across the District since the club’s successful qualification. On social media, many Tonkolilians at home and abroad have reacted with congratulatory messages to the management of the team and the players as well. Even rival clubs from the district also sent messages of hope to the Kholifa Stars FC.

Some individuals and institutions have started donating cash to the team in preparation ahead of the competition.