Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has announced the death of her coach, former Leone Stars, Abdulai ‘Garrincha’ Sesay after a short illness.

In a statement by the Sierra, Leone FA issued this afternoon, “Garrincha will best be remembered for his tremendous service to the country’s football both as a player and a coach of the national senior men’s team.”

The FA recalled that the late man was the first local coach to qualify the national men’s team to the African Cup of Nations (AfCON) in 1996.

The SLFA added that the president, Thomas Daddy Brima together with his executive and staff of the Association is mourning with the family of the former coach.

The 1996 AfCON Qualifiers saw Sierra Leone lined up against Ghana, Congo, The Gambia, Niger and Central African Republic. The last three countries withdrew from the tournament leaving only Sierra Leone, Congo and Ghana.

The Leone Stars were well known for their decisive victory against Congo away.

The 1996 AfCON competition was the second time the West African nation had qualified after making their debut in 1994.