By Hassan Osman Kargbo
East End Lions Football Club’s return to continental football ended in disappointment after suffering a heavy 7-1 aggregate defeat to Tunisian side US Monastir in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. Despite lifting the Sierra Leone Premier League title this season, the team failed to live up to fans’ expectations on the African stage.
The aggregate scoreline, sealed after a 4-0 defeat and a 3-1 home loss, left supporters frustrated and called for improvements in future campaigns. Many fans took to social media to voice their displeasure, lamenting what they described as a lacklustre performance across both legs.
In a statement released by the club, East End Lions admitted the disappointment but assured fans of a stronger comeback in future competitions. “Our CAF Champions League journey comes to an end following a 7-1 aggregate deficit. We will be back stronger! Thanks for your continual support,” the club wrote.
Despite the defeat, Chairman Anthony Navo Jr. made an unannounced visit to the team’s camp ahead of the crucial second-leg encounter with US Monastir. His visit, which was described by players and technical staff as both timely and important, was aimed at boosting morale after the first-leg setback.
During his address to the squad, Chairman Navo Jr. expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s earlier display, noting that the performance was far below the standard expected by both management and supporters. “The first-leg performance was unimpressive, and it did not reflect the passion and commitment of East End Lions,” he said.
At the same time, he urged the players to put aside the initial result and focus on the second leg, reminding them that there were still ninety minutes to play. “Fight for the club’s badge, and make Sierra Leone proud,” he emphasized, calling for determination and pride in representing not just the club but also the country.
Although his rallying words did not translate into a turnaround on the pitch, many within the camp commended his intervention as a demonstration of leadership and commitment to the team’s success. Players noted that his presence served as motivation at a time when morale was low.
Football analysts have pointed out that while East End Lions’ domestic triumph was impressive, competing at the continental level requires greater preparation, experience, and investment. US Monastir, who have regularly featured in African competitions in recent years, demonstrated superior tactical discipline, fitness, and sharpness, exposing gaps in the Sierra Leonean champions’ setup.
For East End Lions, the exit marks a sobering moment but also an opportunity for reflection. Fans and stakeholders are now calling for a long-term strategy to strengthen the squad, improve infrastructure, and raise the club’s competitiveness in Africa.
Chairman Navo Jr. has assured supporters that the club will learn from this experience and return stronger in future editions of the CAF Champions League. For the fans, the hope is that the “Killers,” as the team is affectionately known, will build on their domestic dominance and grow into a force capable of competing on the continental stage.
As the dust settles on their CAF journey, East End Lions will now turn their focus to domestic competitions, with supporters eager to see the team bounce back from this continental disappointment.
