By Rodney Michael
What an incredible 10 days we have had in Sierra Leone, starting from Thursday the 12th November 2020 and ending Sunday 22nd November 2020.
Football for Sierra Leoneans is like a religion and many are addicted to it just as they are to their religion.
The period under reflection started on Thursday the 12th when I was priviledged to declare my candidacy for the long over due elections for the Presidency of the Sierre Leone Football Association
It commenced a series of significant occasions in the country, related to sports and national development. For sanity, constitutionality and legality, and for the association’s integrity to be restored a free, fair and credible democratic elections must be held soonest. Only then will peace and unity be a possibility within the association.
At about the same time as my declaration the President, His Excellency was launching the very exciting 270 million dollars terminal at the Lungi Airport to be constructed by a Turkish Firm. It will elevate Lungi to one of the best airports in the sub region and hopefully should increase air traffic and tourism, which could be a major boost to the economy.
Friday the 13th November 2020 saw the Chief Minister, Professor David Francis, was solid in presenting the bill for the Sierra Leone Peace and National Cohesion Commission to Parliament.
With the recent issues all over the country, especially the recent events in Makeni and the release of the White Paper, there is no disputing the absolute need for the Commission. May it yield the intended results.
On the same Friday the 13th, Minister of Finance presented the proposed 2021 budget to Parliament for deliberation and approval.
A budget that has a lot of waivers and tax relief, creating a much better business atmosphere for the private sector and which could lead to large creation of jobs by the private sector, could also ease the burden on the Ministry of Finance and Government, currently the largest employers in the country.
Then came the magical moment, a day never to be forgotten, a football match that trumps everything else in life, and in a city called Benin, in Edo State, Nigeria between the Super Eagles vs Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.
The pre match expectation was for an obvious result in favour of Nigeria. Apart from being optimistic and dreaming of a miracle, not many in Nigeria, Sierra Leone or the continent expected any other result than a Super Eagles Victory.
Well the miracle happened…a come back never to be forgotten, and a story to be told for years and years, in fact for multiple life time.
Two days before the match, Leone Stars senior Player and Minnesota United FC in the MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER in the USA, Kei Kamara had released a video showing the rock hard bed and stone like pillow the team had been allocated in Nigeria. It caused a serious debate throughout the continent, but moreso in Nigeria where the Nigerian FA President was reported furious and demanded an apology which was issued by the Sierra Leone FA on the same day.
The story died sooner the match kicked off and what a match to reflect on. In the first half, the Nigerians demolished the Leone Stars defence scoring 4 goals and ending the half 4-1.
A comeback was impossible, well that is what the world, bar the players on the pitch and their coach thought. History was to be made and the greatest come back in African Football was on the card.
In a special miraculous 14 minutes of the second half, Sierra Leone’s young striker Alhaji Kamara scored twice to give us memories we will never forget and live to tell our children and grand children in the years to come…Sierra Leone had come back from 4 nil down to draw 4-4 in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
On Monday 16th November, 2020, the President launched the Goderich- Funkia road in the west end of Freetown, that will open up the road leading to the small fishing village.
On Tuesday the 17th, Sierra Leoneans were once more in prayerful mood hoping for another miracle…this time a victory was the desire of all Sierra Leoneans.
The Match itself was an anti climax, a terrible pitch affecting the flow of play and there was very little control. It ended goalless but with the two draws against Nigeria, the team is still in with a good chance of qualification for the African cup of Nations 2021.
On Thursday the 19th November, the former President of Sierra Leone, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma was to be questioned by the Anti Corruption Commission, but he refused to appear. The ACC threatened a warrant.
On the same Thursday President Bio travelled to Kailanun for a 4 day visit, launching many projects including a fire force, bus station and bore holes.
It has been an incredible 10 days with many news for the media to report on. Sierra Leone has been busy and with Christmas round the corner, we anticipate more busy days and weeks to follow.
*A bit early, but let me be the first to wish all of you a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2021 in advance!*
I am a friend, not a foe! I mean well!
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