In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through Sierra Leone’s football landscape, Thomas Daddy Brima, the incumbent president of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), has been officially disqualified from the upcoming presidential race.
The news, confirmed in a letter dated July 18, 2025, from the SLFA Ethics Committee, has left the football community reeling and has narrowed the field to two contenders: Babadi Kamara and Umaru Bah.
The Ethics Committee, led by chair Abu-Bakarr Sheriff, has yet to provide a detailed explanation for Brima’s exclusion, fueling widespread speculation and debate among football stakeholders.
Brima, a polarizing figure during his tenure, had expressed his desire to seek re-election for a second term. However, his disqualification is being interpreted by many as a move to protect the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
With Brima out of the race, attention has quickly shifted to Babadi Kamara, a respected businessman and seasoned football administrator.
Kamara’s campaign has resonated with a broad spectrum of reformists within the SLFA, who see his vision as a path toward transparency, modernization, and systemic change.
The upcoming elections on August 2 are poised to be one of the most consequential in SLFA history. Alongside the presidential vote, key positions including vice presidents and Ex-Officio members will also be determined.
The Kamara-Bah contest now represents a pivotal juncture for Sierra Leonean football – one that could define the sport’s direction, governance, and credibility for years to come.