By George M.O. Williams
Freetown, April 13, 2026: Former Sierra Leone national team coach Mohamed Kallon has fired back at the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), rejecting allegations of misconduct and insisting his dismissal was unjustified.
In a live Facebook broadcast, Kallon described the claims as unfounded, instead pointing to the progress achieved during his tenure through discipline and commitment. He explained that his absence from press conferences after the friendly match in Azerbaijan was due to a medical condition—occasional numbness and swelling on one side of his face, linked to injuries sustained during his playing career in Italy.
Kallon said he had informed the team manager of his condition and sought medical attention in Milan before joining the squad. He added that worsening symptoms after the match made it difficult to attend the media engagements, prompting him to delegate a staff member to represent him. Despite these explanations, he claimed he was sidelined, with his assistant coach placed in charge of the team—SLFA executives orchestrated a move he believes.
The former coach alleged that his dismissal stemmed from internal power struggles within the SLFA, citing earlier tensions over team selection. He claimed that unauthorized names were added to his finalized squad list without his consent, creating unnecessary friction.
Former SLFA Secretary General Chris Kamara has defended Kallon, describing him as the most qualified candidate for the role and dismissing doubts about his credentials. Kamara criticized the lack of due process in Kallon’s dismissal, noting that he had worked for 13 months without a salary. He also condemned incidents such as Kallon being asked by a junior coach to produce an ID card, calling them disrespectful and symptomatic of deeper institutional challenges.
Kamara stressed that while the SLFA has authority to hire and fire, fairness and transparency must be upheld to protect the integrity of Sierra Leonean football.
Kallon’s dismissal has reignited debate over governance and accountability within the SLFA, with many observers warning that unresolved internal disputes risk undermining the progress of the national team.