By Desmond Tunde Coker
The Sierra Leone Women’s Premier League back-to-back champions, Mogbwemo Queens have paid a courtesy visit on the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), ahead of this year’s qualifying tournament for the West African Football Union“A” Women’s Champions League.
The tournament will officially commence from August 1st to August 11th at the Southern Arena in Bo District, southern Sierra Leone.
The Media Department of Mogbwemo queens stated that the Team’s delegation was led by the Club’s Chairman, Sheku Keketoma, Vice Chairman Mustapha Kanneh, Head Coach Adama P. Suma, and the coaching staff.
Speaking during their visit Chairman Sheku Keketoma congratulated the Sierra Leone Football Association for their dedication to the development of women’s football in Sierra Leone and assured them that the team is in readiness to qualify for the CAF Women’s Championship in South Africa.
“As hosts of the qualifying tournament, we are determined and confident in our ability to top the group stage,” Keketoma stated. He went on to state that last season was their first stint in the competition, acknowledged that they learnt a lot from it.
The delegation was received by the first Vice President of the Sierra Leone Football Association Harold Nat-Johnson, North-East Region Chairman Brima Jalloh, Eastern Region Chairman Prince Saquee, Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh, Director of Competition Sorie Ibrahim Sesay, Head of Women’s Football, Transfère marching system (TMS Manager) Miriam Heroe, and Protocol and Event Officer Alusine Kabba.
In his statements, the Acting General Secretary of SLFA Mohamed Benson Bawoh emphasized the significance of the WAFU “A” Qualifying Tournament, noting that it will be the first time Sierra Leone will host the event. Bawoh highlighted the financial incentives that the competition comes with, stating that if Mogbwemo Queens qualify for the CAF Women’s Championship in South Africa, they would receive $100,000 for tournament preparation. Additionally, a third-place finish would earn them $150,000.
He further explained that CAF will provide a prize money of $400,000 to the champions of the competition. “With such expectations, there is much at stake for Mogbwemo Queens in making this dream a reality. We are confident that Mogbwemo Queens will qualify for South Africa,” Bawoh stated.
When addressing the Management, Technical-Staff and players of Mogbwemo Queens, SLFA 1st Vice President Harold Nat Johnson expressed delight and encouraged the team to see themselves not just as local champions, but as contenders on the continental stage. He urged the players to heed the guidance of their Technical Staff and give their best, because SLFA is rooting to see Mogbwemo Queens compete in the CAF Women’s Champions League in South Africa. Mogbwemo Queens won the Sierra Leone Women’s League with an unbeaten run.
Mogbwemo Queens FC will begin their campaign against defending champion AS Mande from Mali on August 1st, 2024
Mogbwemo Queens FC Fixtures:
August 1st, 2024
Mogbwemo Queens FC VS AS Mande
August 5th 2024
Mogbwemo Queens FC VS Aigles De Medina
August 8th 2024
Red Scorpions VS Mogbwemo Queens
August 11th 2024
Red Scorpions VS Mogbwemo Queens