By Bockarie Allieu –
After 10 matches in the Leone Rock Premier League, four of Sierra Leone’s biggest football clubs find themselves battling in the relegation zone. These clubs—Mighty Blackpool, Freetown City FC, Bai Bureh Warriors, and Ports Authority FC—are all struggling to stay out of the bottom spots.
Mighty Blackpool and Freetown City FC are just 2 points above the relegation line, each with 8 points from 10 matches. Both clubs have scored fewer goals than they have conceded, each with a goal difference of -7. Despite a 4-1 victory over Blackpool in their last match, Bai Bureh Warriors are second from the bottom with 7 points from 10 matches. Ports Authority FC sit at the very bottom with just 6 points from 10 matches.
What’s particularly puzzling for football fans is that three of these clubs are financially strong compared to others in the league. Blackpool, for example, not only pays its players regular salaries but also offers cash prizes as winning bonuses. Ports Authority, owned by the Water Quay port in Freetown, funds the club through contributions from port workers. Freetown City FC is owned by the Freetown City Council, and Bai Bureh Warriors represent Port Loko District.
If these clubs continue their poor form, they risk relegation to Division 1 at the end of the season.
The league continues on Friday with the top team, Bhantal FC, facing Star Sports Academy FC at the SLFA Academy Field in Kingtom, Freetown. Week 10 matches saw 8 victories and 1 draw. The league will resume on Saturday with four matches in Freetown and the provinces:
- Freetown:
- Luawa FC vs. East End Lions FC at Approved School Field, Portee
- Bai Bureh Warriors vs. SLIFA FC at Port Loko New Mini Stadium
- Old Edwardians vs. Abacha City FC at SLFA Academy
- Makeni:
- Wusum Stars vs. Freetown City FC at Wusum Stadium
On Sunday, four matches will be held at new venues across the country:
- Freetown:
- Mighty Blackpool vs. FC Kallon at SLFA Academy
- Port Loko:
- Bullom Stars vs. Ports Authority at Port Loko
- Bo:
- Defending Champions vs. Wilberforce Strikers at Southern Arena Stadium
- Kenema:
- Kamboi Eagles vs. Diamond Stars at Kenema Town Field
