By Desmond Tunde Coker
FC Johansen and two other teams have been relegated to the division 1 after failing to match up during the just concluded Sierra Leone Premier League.
In 2011, they played for the first time in the Sierra Leone division One league. That year they did not lose a single match and were promoted to the Premier division.
2012 was their first year in the Premier League where they finished fourth behind Diamond Stars, Kallon FC and End Lions. 2013 is their 2nd year in the Sierra Leone Premier League. In February/March 2013, the club had its maiden appearance at the continental level. It played Barack Young Controller FC (Liberian Second Division team) in the CAF Confederation Cup. FC Johansen lost 1–0 on aggregate and did not progress to the next round. FC Johansen has enjoyed top-flight football for 11 years.
Kamboi Eagles Football Club commonly known as Kamboi Eagles, is a Sierra Leonean football club based in Kenema City, Sierra Leone, currently a member of the Sierra Leone National Premier League, the highest division of football league in Sierra Leone. The Eagles have an intense rivalry with the Diamond Stars of Kono and cross-regional rival Bo Rangers. But will not play in the next top-flight League next season after they ended up with 38 points just after Real Republicans who ended up with 39 points. They have been in the topflight since 1965.
East End Tiggers is a Sierra Leonean Football Club that was formerly known as Gem Stars of Kenema City. They have enjoyed the topflight football since 2014 before they see the exit this season as they were relegated to Division 1.
Luawa FC, Lamboi FC, and Real Republicans secured safety for next season’s Sierra Leone Premier League.
The big question fans are asking when is the Division 1 League commence to see teams promoted to the Premier League. The Head of Media and Communications for the Western Area Football Association David Gerald Turner told Premier News that as per instruction from the Sierra Leone Football Association, the Western Area Football Association has notified all Division One clubs to take note of the following directives:
- Registration and licensing of players from Monday, July 24,2023 to Friday, August 4, 2023. All clubs must register their full squad on the above timeline. Clubs failing to comply will have themselves to blame.
- Notification on publication of fixtures will be on July 27, 2023. Commencement of Division One League will be on August 6, 2023.