$10,000 Salary Confirmed as SLFA Clarifies Leone Stars Coaching Arrangement

The Head of Media and Marketing at the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Ibrahim Kamara (IBK), has confirmed that newly appointed Leone Stars Head Coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa earns a monthly salary of US$10,000.

He also provided details on the coach’s three-year contract, recruitment process, government funding structure, and ongoing selection of local technical staff.

Speaking during a live interview on Truth Media hosted by journalist Amadu Lambrana Bah, IBK responded to public debate over coaching salaries and transparency in football administration.

He dismissed claims that the coach earns US$25,000 monthly, stating the figure is incorrect, and clarified that former coach Mohamed Kallon received US$15,000 per month. He added that Kallon had no formal contract with the SLFA, National Sports Authority (NSA), or Ministry of Sports, with payments instead processed through government financial requests.

IBK confirmed that Didier Gomes Da Rosa has signed a three-year contract, with a key mandate to qualify Sierra Leone for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), aimed at strengthening long-term competitiveness.

He emphasized that the Government of Sierra Leone remains responsible for funding the national team through the Ministry of Sports and NSA, covering salaries, player allowances, and operational costs during competitions.

On contractual benefits, IBK noted that the foreign coach is entitled to additional provisions, in line with standard international practice, including support for his work while periodically based in Sierra Leone for team development and player scouting.

He further revealed that the recruitment process involved the SLFA, Ministry of Sports, and NSA, with representatives participating in interviews, selection, and the coach’s unveiling in Bo.

Regarding the technical team, IBK said three Sierra Leonean coaches are among 79 applicants under consideration for assistant roles. Former Leone Stars coach Mohamed Kallon is also among the local applicants, though final appointments are yet to be announced.

On player welfare, he confirmed that Leone Stars players received their allowances before recent international friendlies, stating that payments were made as scheduled and players were satisfied.

The disclosures have intensified ongoing discussions about transparency and accountability in Sierra Leone football, particularly around salary structures, recruitment procedures, and financial management. As the Leone Stars prepare for upcoming fixtures under the new coach, calls for greater openness in football governance continue to grow among stakeholders.