By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Nearly a year after being crowned champions of the 2023/2024 Leone Rock Premier League, Bo Rangers Football Club remains without their rightful prize money—an issue that has now ballooned into a full-blown governance crisis in Sierra Leonean football.Despite the Premier League Board (PLB), led by Victor Lewis, receiving substantial financial backing—reportedly billions of Leones in sponsorship from Leone Rock Metals, the Government of Sierra Leone, and private entities—the board has failed to disburse the championship winnings owed to Bo Rangers. The continued silence from both the PLB and the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has sparked outrage from fans and stakeholders.
Bo Rangers officially submitted a request for their prize money in August 2024, but the response from football authorities has been one of deafening silence. Sustained media campaigns, direct appeals from club officials, and public pressure have yet to prompt any meaningful response from either the PLB or SLFA. As frustrations grow, many are beginning to see this situation not just as an administrative failure, but as a sign of deeper dysfunction at the heart of the game.
What has intensified criticism is the inaction of the Sierra Leone Premier League Clubs Union, an organization established to advocate for the rights and welfare of top-flight clubs. For almost a year, the union failed to make any public statement or take action in defence of Bo Rangers, the reigning champions. This perceived indifference drew condemnation from both football fans and independent observers.
In a surprising turn of events, however, the Clubs Union recently issued a press release threatening to boycott the second leg of the ongoing 2024/2025 Premier League season. Citing grievances such as the delayed prize money and demands for subsidies ahead of the league’s restart, the union’s shift in tone has been met with mixed reactions.
While some see the boycott threat as a necessary push for accountability, others view it as a reactionary and inconsistent move, highlighting the Union’s failure to act when the issue first arose. Critics have accused the body of playing politics, acting only when it aligns with internal power dynamics rather than the genuine welfare of its member clubs.
Fueling further skepticism is the backdrop of recent events involving the SLFA President, Thomas Daddy Brima. Just weeks ago, four Premier League clubs publicly pledged support for Brima following his arrest and detention by the Anti-Corruption Commission on corruption-related charges. Now, some of these same clubs are rallying behind a boycott effort. For many, this contradiction raises serious questions about the motives behind the unrest—is it a principled stand, or a manoeuvre driven by shifting alliances and self-interest?
As the new season remains in limbo and one of the country’s top clubs still wait for its overdue reward, Sierra Leonean football faces one of its most credibility-challenging moments in recent memory. The lack of transparency, accountability, and timely communication from governing bodies is not just undermining trust—it’s threatening the very integrity of the nation’s premier football competition.
For Bo Rangers, the issue remains simple: they earned their victory on the pitch. All they ask for is the reward that comes with it. Until the PLB and SLFA honour that obligation, the credibility of the league—and the future of club football in Sierra Leone—will remain on shaky ground.
