By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has officially unveiled French coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa as the new Head Coach of the Sierra Leone National Football Team, Leone Stars, during a ceremony at Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
The appointment marks an important step in Sierra Leone’s efforts to strengthen its national football programme and improve the competitiveness of Leone Stars on both continental and international stages.
Didier Gomes Da Rosa arrives with an impressive coaching résumé built across several African countries, where he has achieved success with both club and national teams. His experience and proven track record have earned him recognition as one of the continent’s most accomplished football tacticians.
Among his achievements is guiding Rwanda’s Rayon Sports to the Premier League title in 2013. He later enjoyed notable success with Cameroon’s Coton Sport, leading the club to consecutive Elite One League titles in 2014 and 2015, while also securing the Cameroon Cup.
The French-born coach further enhanced his reputation during his time with Guinea’s Horoya AC, where he won multiple domestic trophies and guided the club through continental competitions. His leadership at Tanzania’s Simba SC also drew attention after taking the team to the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League and securing several domestic honours.
Beyond club football, Gomes Da Rosa has served as Head Coach of the national teams of Mauritania and Botswana, gaining valuable experience in international football and player development.
During the unveiling, SLFA officials expressed confidence that the new coach possesses the technical expertise, leadership qualities, and international exposure needed to guide Leone Stars toward greater success in upcoming competitions.
Football stakeholders, supporters, and analysts have welcomed the appointment, voicing optimism that his wealth of experience will contribute significantly to the growth of the national team and help Sierra Leone compete more effectively against Africa’s football powerhouses.
As he assumes his new role, Didier Gomes Da Rosa is expected to begin preparations for upcoming international fixtures and strategic plans aimed at building a competitive Leone Stars squad capable of delivering positive results for the nation.
His appointment opens a new chapter for Sierra Leone football, with high expectations that his leadership will inspire renewed ambition and progress for Leone Stars.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 10th June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
