The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Thomas Daddy Brima, and the Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, recently clashed over public commentary regarding the national team’s selection process ahead of an upcoming match against Chad.

During an interview on Radio Democracy 98.1, Thomas Daddy Brima addressed concerns raised about the team’s preparation and selection. He emphasized that it would be impractical to overhaul the national team just days before the match, stating that last-minute changes could negatively affect team morale. Brima criticized those who suggest specific players should be included in the squad, warning that such public commentary could undermine the confidence of the selected players.

 

In response, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai countered Brima’s stance, arguing that the national team belongs to all Sierra Leoneans, who have every right to voice their opinions, especially since taxpayer money funds the team. Abdulai accused the SLFA of making populist remarks to gain public sympathy and insisted that discussing team selection is a natural right of citizens, given their financial stake in the team’s success.

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The disagreement between the two sports leaders continued, with Abdulai questioning why Brima would want to stifle public discussion on team matters. He defended the right of citizens, including himself, to offer opinions on the team, noting his extensive experience in football over the past 20 years. Abdulai stressed that while the coach’s decisions are important, they should not be seen as infallible, and that a diversity of opinions can lead to better outcomes.

One of the main points of contention between the two was the potential inclusion of veteran striker Kei Kamara in the squad. While Abdulai did not support bringing back Kamara, he mentioned discussing the issue with the SLFA President, citing public concerns about the team already having a leading striker.

However, he stated that President Brima and his technical team chose a different approach. Brima explained that the decision to consider Kamara was made carefully, taking into account his recent performance and ensuring it aligns with the current team system.

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