The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), as well as Nahim Khadi’s former clubs and colleagues, have been mourning the death of the former football administrator.

The Ex-Sierra Leone Football Association president Nahim Khadi, who died in London on Tuesday, aged 75, was elected as FA boss in 2004.

After his resignation in 2012, he returned to the UK to live with his family. Before his appointment, he served as a Team Manager for our darling Leone Stars. Nahim was an honourable man who tried his best to bring sanity to football in our country.  

He also served as team manager of Old Edwardians when he guided them to a league title in 1986 before moving to East End Lions to serve as a coach in 1989, winning the FA Cup after a 1-0 win over Real Republicans in the final played at the Siaka Stevens.

The country’s football body (SLFA) noted that his impact on football is a lasting legacy.

“The SLFA is deeply saddened by the passing of their former boss. Nahim Khadi’s impact in Sierra Leone football both as a player and a football administrator will forever be remembered.”

East End Lions Football Club noted that the late “Nahim Khadi was a great man, husband, father and someone who is more than just a coach or leader. He was an exceptional coach and a true asset to our team during his reign when he contributed to our history with success in the 1989 Sierra Leone FA Cup.”

Former club Old Edwardians acknowledged his service as they wrote, “Nahim Khadi was a Friend and Father of high integrity and his passion for football was unmatched. We pray that God grants the late Nahim Khadi eternal rest and also grant those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.”

“Old Edwardians Football Club wishes to extend its deepest sympathy to the family of Nahim Khadi, friends & loved ones. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.”

BBC Sport reporter Fajah Barrie recalled, “Before he became president, he was a footballer featuring for the national team Leone Stars whom he also served as a Team manager. At the club level, he played for five Sierra Leonean clubs, including Mighty Blackpool, East End Lions, Old Edwardians and Diamond Stars.

He also served as team manager of Old Edwardians when he guided them to a league title in 1986 before moving to East End Lions to serve as a coach in 1989, winning the FA Cup after a 1-0 win over Real Republicans in the final played at the Siaka Stevens.”

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Seven key players are unavailable for selection as Sierra Leone coach John Keister named a tentative 38-man squad ahead of Nigeria’s matchday five African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in Liberia on June 18.

It is a must-win for Leone Stars if they are to revive their qualification chances. Nigeria won the first meeting between the two nations 2-1 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on 09 June 2022.

Coach Keister has, however, named twelve foreign-based and twenty-six local stars provisionally drafted for the cracker against the three-time African champions Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The foreign-based are Barnet‘s striker Idriss Kanu, Randers‘ striker Alhaji Kamara, Charleston Battery‘s Augustine Williams, Crotone‘s Augustus Kargbo, Rodney Michael, FC Andorra winger Mustapha Bundu on loan from Anderlecht, Kamil Conteh, Israel-based player Emmanuel Samadia, Alusine Koroma from RB Linense, skipper Steven Caulker, Daniel Francis from German side KFC Uerdingen 05 and Horoya AC keeper Mohamed Kamara. 

As coach John Keister gets his side ready to battle their way into Ivory Coast AFCON 2023, here are the key missing players.

Panaitolikos‘s attacker Jonathan Morsay, who scored in the 2-1 defeat at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, in June 2022, is absent due to Cartilage damage to his knee. 

Queens Park Rangers‘ defender Osman Kakay continued on the sidelines due to an ankle injury he sustained in March in their English Championship defeat to Birmingham City.

Cambuur‘s right-back Alex Bangura, since the friendly defeat to Algeria B at the Furaijah Stadium (Saturday, November 19 2022) in Dubai, has not made himself available to play for Sierra Leone.

Shanghái Port‘s winger Issa Kallon, who scored in Shanghái Port’s 3-0 win over Changchun Yatai on Monday, is still unavailable to play for Sierra Leone due to personal reasons.

Milton Keynes Dons attacker Sullay Kaikai will not be part of the squad against Nigeria. He played in both matches against São Tomé and Príncipe.

Egaleo’s experienced midfielder John Kamara has not been named due to personal issues. Kamara has been part of the last four of the Afcon qualifying matches. 

Sierra Leone Spain-based midfielder Alhassan Koroma is suspended a big blow to the coach’s plans. Koroma, 22, picked up his first booking against Nigeria in the 2-1 defeat in June 2022 before his second against Sao Tome and Principe in Leone Stars’ 2-0 triumph in March this year. In that encounter, he picked up a second yellow.

The RB Linense midfielder, who scored a brilliant goal in the win over Some Tome, will have to miss the crucial tie against Group A Leaders.

Meanwhile, skipper Steven Caulker, who is desperate to be part of the squad, still has a doubt. After his surgery, Sierra Leone captain Caulker remains a significant doubt despite being named to the team.

Nigeria topped Group A of the qualifiers with nine points after four games, followed by Guinea-Bissau with seven points, while Sierra Leone sit third with five points after the same number of games.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer on Twitter @Bittar32, Contact bi****@ol*.net and National News.