Former Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) secretary-general Chris Kamara has publicly defended former Leone Stars head coach Mohamed Kallon, insisting Kallon is fully qualified to lead the national team and urging football authorities to reconsider the decision to terminate his appointment.

Speaking on a Facebook Live programme hosted by Kallon, Kamara praised Kallon’s record and coaching qualifications, expressed dissatisfaction with how the SLFA handled the matter, and called for a united, principled approach to safeguard the future of Sierra Leonean football.

Kamara told viewers that Kallon holds a UEFA Pro Licence, arguing this credential makes him “well qualified to coach any team in the world.” He described Kallon as the most qualified Sierra Leonean coach currently available based on his coaching badges and licences.

Kamara criticised the SLFA’s verification process, saying officials requested an ID card rather than checking Kallon’s unique licence number—a step Kamara said would have quickly resolved any doubts about the coach’s credentials.

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Kamara challenged local coaches who obtained their A licences in 2015 to complete the mandatory refresher course required every three years. He claimed many had not complied until the Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued a final reminder in 2026, following an initial notice in 2023. Kamara said he repeatedly informed licensed coaches about renewal requirements, but that many cited the cost of the course as a barrier.

He noted that coaches employed by any of the 54 member associations before 4 May 2025 retain the right to complete the refresher course to meet UEFA benchmarks, but stressed that Kallon already meets the required standards.

Responding to claims that using an unlicensed coach could invite CAF sanctions, Kamara said CAF had acknowledged Kallon’s appointment. He pointed to precedent, noting that former Leone Stars coach John Keister used similar qualifications while coaching Bo Rangers in CAF competitions without sanction.

Kamara defended the appointment of Sorjus Marah as goalkeeping coach and named Paul Augustine Kpaka, Musa Kallon, Kemokai Kallon, and Kerullay Conteh as qualified Sierra Leoneans suitable for the national team’s backroom staff.

He questioned the timing of the SLFA’s emphasis on the UEFA Pro Licence, noting that reminders about licence compliance predated the current SLFA executive’s tenure and asking why action was only taken now.

Kamara urged SLFA president Babadi Kamara to rethink Kallon’s termination and to consult former SLFA president Thomas “Daddy” Brima for a full briefing on Kallon’s appointment. While acknowledging the SLFA’s right to hire and fire, Kamara insisted decisions should follow SLFA principles and serve the national team’s best interests.

He also cautioned Babadi Kamara to be mindful of the advisers around him, saying some are the same figures who were associated with previous SLFA presidents and whose relationships with those administrations ended poorly.

Framing his intervention as a call for transparency, due process, and technical accuracy, Kamara urged the SLFA, the Ministry of Sport, and the National Sports Authority to convene and reassess the foundations of Sierra Leonean football. He said a collaborative review is necessary to place the national interest above internal disputes and to ensure decisions are guided by principle and the long-term development of the game.