By: Abass Jalloh
Krio man say nor keep something na u heart make u nor stress more. Yesterday, some of we show warm heart, some of we keep am.
Yesterday was so unusual as our darling Leones Stars were sent home with two draws and one painful defeat. A day that is now likely part of the most heartbreaking moments of Sierra Leoneans – home and abroad. We fought really hard to win games and make it through, but it did not happen the way we wanted. Notwithstanding, our names as a small nation have now been written in books and websites of football, been included in giant television and radio stations around the globe, and now been a topic in word-of-mouth discussions of football lovers.
KEI KAMARA WEEPS AFTER HE MISSED THE PENALTY
Indeed, yesterday our hearts were heavy, filled with mixed feelings of uncontrollable disgust, but today we have taken heart and are now fine like nothing happened. Briefly after the match, with deep emotions, we also saw the sad faces of our devoted, committed players and passionate supporters – all yearning for a single goal to take us through. What later broke and still breaks my heart is this picture below of Kei and his family – all alone and in isolation on one of the stadium stands appealing to courage and consolation. I wonder if the kids made sense out of that scene. That capture is not an ordinary view. It is a photo that speaks thousands of words.
We also saw our beautiful women – young and old – who we know are less interested in football could not withstand the goosebumps when Leone Stars were in action. They did not leave the show to just us the men. They made sure that they displayed unexplainable rooting for Leone Stars, some of them with the green-white-blue on their skins, others rooted with pot covers, and some on social media feeds. The honkings of horns of taxis and okadas were appealing to our ears. It was also so lit and satisfying to see that the president and his family were happy because of football. Beautiful as it was, and that was what made our participation so relevant and beautiful.
Yesterday I also realized how much we love and cherish Sierra Leone – even in unfortunate situations. In other words, more so, the bashing and blasting on Kei Kamara and others – after the penalty miss – were still embedded with love and appreciation in the end because Sierra Leoneans did not forget how far they have come after 25 years.
After so many expressions of dissatisfaction from some of us who were emotional, those expressions were like a cure to our current state. Sometimes you cannot avoid expressing yourself in such situations. While some saw that as hate, someone even said that if Kei had complained about so many things on social media, udat na we wae nor for complain against am or dem. Another one said if den boo at Messi na Argentina ina, uda na Kei. So be it. It has been what it has been. Na dat na football oo.
However, proceedings further, let me say this: you can never be an expert or a master without first being an amateur. I believe you get that right. As human beings and especially as Sierra Leoneans, we know how difficult it is to be heartbroken after we have longed and waited for years equivalent to most of our ages. But remember: we should be celebrating and proud of our men however little because we did not qualify for AFCON by chance. Holding two defending champions – Algeria and Ivory Coast – and of the favorites to win AFCON is something we should be unapologetically bragging about regardless of what people say, especially when our players and nation as a whole are not recognized for such.
However, with all of those, it also gave me so much happiness that our participation in AFCON did not aggravate any tension between political parties, religions, regions and tribes. This simply should whisper in your ear that football brings automatic happiness, peace and tranquility anywhere it plays or is talked about. Generally, football is all about passion, mixed with tensions and emotions, but you may be surprised how Sierra Leoneans coped and showed love to each other for the sake of Mama Salone. Football is all about winning and losing, bitter and sweet. Tdae na for u, tumara na for me. So we don biya yesterday. Like we always say, we move!
Thank you to us all who rooted or supported us in our best and different ways. It was all part of patriotism. A special appreciation to those who represented us well in Cameroon via full support and timely reporting. Literally, we were there because you guys were giving us the imagery of what was happening in Cameroon. Although some of us will still follow the competition till the end, the boredom will definitely manifest due to our exit.
Now we are back! Truly back together as we were, with those who left for the AFCON and those who did not go. What is next? What is to change? What is to improve on?
Our thoughts and focus should now have a shift, a complete rethink. The blunders we made before and during the competition must be noted with a vision to get rid of them from now on. We will even get better and be the best only if we learn from those pointers and mistakes for the next coming schedules. We really love football.
One of the most dangerous elements that kills the beauty and effectiveness of football in especially Sierra Leone is the influence of external forces – especially the political forces. Football is a whole genre or unit on its own. Thus, politicizing it will bring nothing but a division between players and weakness in performance. We will not continue to love that.
The selection and management of the players and other areas should be restructured. We want to see the infrastructural development of football. I cannot be watching this game and later notice that the coach was influenced by his selection and management. Those who are up for the task should be the priority.
I personally, and maybe many other people, notice that Keister, our head coach, was not on his own when it comes to team selection. We all may have noticed that in the yearning for Musa Noah Kamara (Tombo). Only when social media users and other outsiders had suggested the selection of Musa Tombo that John Keister changed his mind. Even though that went well because he scored, we do not want this kind of influence in the game. After all, you are the head coach. Decide without listening to bandwagons, especially when they are not part of your technical team. This was also in the case of Mohamed Buya Turay when he was subbed.
Now, we need to also restructure the whole squad. Keep who is still significant in terms of fitness, and not because of complexity or influence. We have so many football talents who need support, groom and improvement. But one of the possible problems is the focus is only on the big names playing for big clubs.
Finally to the government and other authorities. We know you guys have done well, and we have seen clearly that football is all about encouragement. This could be with more money, dialogue, motivation, privilege, inspiration and motivation. This, among other things, should be consistent and not only when the big football schedules arise.
We all love Leone Stars. We love our players. So our anger should not be mistaken for hate. May we be better next time.
Continue to be courageous, especially Kei Kamara, and all
Peace and love!
