SLFA Elevates Officiating Standards Following FIFA Elite Course

SLFA Elevates Officiating Standards Following FIFA Elite Course

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has successfully concluded its 2026 FIFA Member Association (MA) Course for Elite Referees, marking a significant step in the association's efforts to enhance the quality of football officiating nationwide.

The five-day program provided elite referees with intensive training, covering technical, theoretical, and physical aspects of the game. Participants underwent rigorous drills designed to deepen their understanding of the Laws of the Game and improve their overall match-day performance.

FIFA Refereeing Instructors Ahmed Alie Mohamed, from Somalia, and Bento Thomas, from Mozambique, led the training. They commended the participants for their discipline and professionalism throughout the course, encouraging them to apply the new techniques as they pursue higher-level match appointments.

Representing SLFA President Babadi Kamara and the Executive Committee, Southern Region Football Association Chairman Joseph Benedict Mogba thanked FIFA for its ongoing support. He urged the officials to prioritize integrity and fairness, noting, “referees play a crucial role in protecting the image of the game”.

The training was facilitated by the SLFA Referees Department, led by Referees Manager Alhaji Sanusie Rashid, with support from Alhaji Daudu Williams, Alhaji Alpha Rahim, Mohamed Bristo Kamara, and Zainab Wilson.

SLFA Referees Committee Chairman Patrick Muana challenged the graduates to carry the lessons of the course into every match they officiate, demanding consistency and confidence on the field.

The successful completion of this FIFA MA Course underscores the SLFA's continued investment in referee education, aimed at producing officials capable of competing at both domestic and international levels.