By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has announced the list of 27 players invited to train for the national U-20 female team ahead of the Mano River Union (MRU) Female Tournament. The announcement comes just one week before the tournament, which will take place from December 2 to December 8, 2024, in Makeni City.
This last-minute announcement highlights an ongoing pattern in SLFA’s communication regarding the female team, as similar delays have been observed in the past. Critics argue that such late announcements leave little room for preparation, potentially impacting the team’s performance on the international stage.
The MRU Female Tournament will feature three participating nations Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. Training for the invited players, led by head coach Fatmata Turay, is set to commence on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the SLFA Academy, with the players expected to report at 3:00 p.m.
The squad consists of 27 players, including goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards from various clubs across Sierra Leone. However, the limited preparation time raises questions about whether the team can perform at its best during the tournament.
As Sierra Leone gears up to compete, fans and stakeholders hope the players will rise to the challenge despite the short preparation window.
