North-East Region Football Association

The North-East Region Football Association (NERFA) writes with a heavy heart to express our deepest sorrow following the passing of Osman Barrie, fondly known to us all as "Ghana Boy."

​Before his untimely departure, Osman served with immense dedication as the Head of Media for the Falaba District Football Association. He was remarkably vibrant, passionate, and well-known within the football communities of both Koinadugu and Falaba Districts, and his positive influence resonated across the entire North-East region. His love for the game and his tireless work in promoting local football will never be forgotten.

​On behalf of the Chairman, the Executive Committee of NERFA, and the entire football family across the region, we extend our most profound and heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family, as well as the people of Falaba and Koinadugu Districts, for this monumental loss.

​We stand with you in this moment of grief. It is our fervent prayer that the Almighty God grants him eternal peace, forgives his shortcomings, and welcomes him into the highest dwelling of Jannatul Firdaus.

​Rest in peace, Ghana Boy. You will be dearly missed.

How Bombali Shebora and Kholifa Stars can book semifinal spots today

As the 2026 National Division One Play-offs group stages reach their dramatic conclusion today, Tuesday 14 July, our Northeast regional representatives, Bombali Shebora (Group A) and Kholifa Stars (Group B) control their own destinies in the race for the semifinal spots.

With the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals, here is a comprehensive breakdown of the exact paths and scenarios for both clubs to secure their progression today.

Group A is locked in a three-way tie at the top, with Marampa Stars, Bombali Shebora, and Western United all sitting on 6 points. Bombali Shebora faces group leaders Marampa Stars at 2:00 PM at the Port Loko Mini Stadium.

If Bombali Shebora defeats Marampa Stars, they will be catapulted to 9 points. This guarantees them an automatic spot in the semifinals, regardless of the outcome between Western United and Prospect FC.
If the match ends in a draw, Bombali Shebora moves to 7 points (GD +1).
The danger is, if Western United wins their concurrent match against Prospect FC, Western United will claim 1st place with 9 points. Marampa Stars (7 points, +2 GD) would take 2nd place, brutally eliminating Bombali Shebora (7 points, +1 GD) on goal difference.
But the safety here is, if Bombali Shebora draws and Western United drops points (draws or loses), both Marampa Stars and Bombali Shebora will comfortably advance.
If Bombali Shebora loses, they stay on 6 points. They can only progress if Western United also loses to Prospect FC, and the margin of defeat keeps Bombali Shebora's goal difference superior to Western United's.

Group B presents a fascinating dynamic. Waterloo FC has comfortably secured the top spot with 9 points. Premier Academy sits in 2nd with 5 points but has already played all 4 of their matches leaving the door wide open for Kholifa Stars (4 points), who play Waterloo FC at 4:00 PM.

However if Kholifa Stars defeats the undefeated Waterloo FC, they will reach 7 points. This automatically pushes them past Premier Academy (5 points) and secures their place in the semifinals alongside Waterloo FC.
But the calculated risk is if Kholifa Stars secures a draw they will finish on 5 points with a +1 goal difference. This puts them ahead of Premier Academy (5 points, 0 GD).
And here is the catch, they will have to keep a close eye on the other match. If Al Kallon FC wins against Great Scarcies, Al Kallon will leapfrog to 7 points and sn**ch the semifinal ticket. Kholifa Stars needs Al Kallon to draw or lose if they only manage a draw themselves.

If Kholifa Stars loses to Waterloo on the pitch, they remain on 4 points and cannot qualify through standard match play.
This is where the pending protest against Al Kallon becomes their ultimate safety net. If Kholifa Stars loses today but the Local Organizing Committee upholds their protest with a high probability of success they will retroactively be awarded points (typically transforming a previous draw/loss into a 3-point victory). This boardroom correction would elevate their final point tally past Premier Academy, handing them a dramatic backdoor qualification to the semifinals.

NERFA Chairman Abdul Pascal Gbla rallies support for regional teams in National playoff campaign

In a steadfast demonstration of leadership and regional solidarity, the Chairman of the North-East Region Football Association (NERFA), Abdul Pascal Gbla, was today Sunday 12 July in attendance at the Port Loko Mini Stadium to support the region’s representatives Bombali Sebora and Kholifa Stars during the third matches in the ongoing national playoff tournament. He was also accompanied by the Falaba District FA Chairman, Balla Kargbo and the regional Technical Officer, Abu Bakarr Kamara.

Chairman Pascal’s presence on the sidelines in the ongoing playoff underscores NERFA's commitment to driving its clubs toward top-tier football serving as a significant morale booster for both teams as they vie for promotion to the Premier League.
The two regional representatives delivered exceptional performances in today's match on the securing vital points.
Bombali Sebora won 2 – 0 against Western Stars while Kholifa Stars overpowered Great Scarcies 3-1.

Following the fixtures, the astute regional Chairman visited both teams in their respective dressing rooms. He delivered motivational addresses commending their determination and urging them to maintain the highest standards to keep the regional flag flying high.
In response, players and officials expressed profound appreciation for the executive visit. Team management noted that this marks an unprecedented milestone as it is the first time a sitting NERFA regional chairman has physically accompanied and embedded themselves with regional teams during a national playoff campaign of this magnitude.

With three matches played and only one fixture remaining in the group stage, the race for semifinal qualification intensifies.
The upcoming final group-stage fixtures will be definitive. For both clubs, securing a victory in their respective final matches will guarantee progression into the tournament semifinals bringing them one step closer to Premier League promotion.

SLFA Executive Mohamed Sorie Jalloh graces 14th Miri Piri tournament in Canada
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In a significant move for international football synergy, Mohamed Sorie Jalloh, a highly distinguished Executive Committee (Exco) member of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) and Chairman of the Youth Committee, attended the 14th annual Miri Piri Soccer British Columbia Tigers Youth Football Tournament as a special guest of honour.

​The prestigious three-day event which ran from July 3rd to July 5th, took place at the Newton Athletic Park in Surrey, British Columbia, drawing cross-border attention and vibrant sportsmanship.

​The Miri Piri Soccer BC Tigers Tournament has solidified its reputation as a premier scouting and competitive hub. This year’s edition saw an impressive turnout, featuring elite youth and adult teams traveling from various provinces across Canada and the United States to compete at the highest level.
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​Mr. Jalloh’s presence at the tournament was both timely and strategic. As the head of youth football development in Sierra Leone, his attendance provided a golden opportunity to study premier international tournament structures and assess how these models can be contextualized to elevate grassroots football back home.

​During his visit, the seasoned football administrator engaged in close, high-level discussions with tournament organizers: To understand the logistics, marketing, and ex*****on of large-scale youth tournaments, exchange ideas on modern talent identification and to study BC’s highly successful player development programs and staff education frameworks.

​A major focus of Mr. Jalloh’s bilateral engagement was the Canadian Soccer Association’s acclaimed Long Term Player Development (LTPD) Pathway—a structural blueprint designed to advance players systematically through progressive stages of the game.
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​The tournament also delivered a proud moment of celebration for Sierra Leone on the pitch. The BC Tigers U14 category, masterfully coached by Sierra Leonean tactician Abu Sesay, put on a masterclass performance to win the championship in their division.

Smart Angels FC crowns 2026 NERFA female Division One champions

​Smart Angels FC have been crowned the champions of the 2026 North-East Region Football Association (NERFA) Female Division One league. The historic victory was secured following a 3-2 win over Tonkolili Queens on Sunday, 5th July 2026 at the Wusum Stadium in Makeni.

​With this landmark victory, the Angels have earned the honour of representing the Northeast region in the upcoming Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) national female playoff scheduled to take place in Port Loko later this July.

​The 2026 regional female top-tier league featured intensive competition among six participating clubs divided into two groups of three (Group A and Group B). Both Smart Angels and Tonkolili Queens emerged as the leaders of their respective groups setting up for the finals.

​The grand finale was graced by several football administrators from across the region. Among the dignitaries present to witness the drawing of the curtains in the regional league were, Abdul Pascal Gbla – Chairman of NERFA
​Sulaiman Sillah Sesay – Chairman of the Bombali District Football Association
​Balla Kargbo – Chairman of the Falaba District Football Association
​Sheku Bilo Conteh – Secretary General of NERFA.

​Following the end of the match, the newly appointed NERFA Regional Chairman, Abdul Pascal Gbla, took the stage to praise both teams for their sportsmanship and to formally admonish the newly crowned champions.
​Chairman Gbla emphasized that winning the regional league was merely the first step of a larger journey. He urged the Smart Angels players and technical staff to remain deeply committed, disciplined, and focused as they prepare to take a bold step onto the national stage. He further assured the club that the regional association is fully committed to providing the necessary administrative backing required for a successful national campaign.
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​"Smart Angels, today you have proven that you are the pride of the Northeast. You fought with heart, skill, and unity to claim this trophy. But remember, you are no longer just playing for yourselves or your club you are carrying the hopes and the flag of this entire region. Go into the national playoffs with confidence, fear no opponent, and show the rest of Sierra Leone the incredible talent this region possesses. We stand firmly behind you, and we expect nothing less than victory." He stated.

NERFA conducts strategic orientation for newly appointed deputy Heads of Competitions and Media

Following the recent structural reinforcement of its administrative arm, the Executive Committee (Exco) of the North-East Region Football Association (NERFA) on Saturday 4th July, successfully conducted a one-day orientation session for its newly appointed deputy departmental heads at the NERFA Secretariat on 6 Azzolini Highway, Makeni.

The orientation follows the official appointments of Mohamed Ibrahim Kamara as the Deputy Head of Media and Marketing, and Ishmeal Deen Sesay as the Deputy Head of Competitions for the Association.
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The strategic session was held under the direct supervision of top-tier regional football leadership ensuring the new appointees are seamlessly integrated into the association's core vision.
​In attendance were ​Abdul Pascal Gbla — Chairman of NERFA, ​Balla Kargbo — NERFA Exco Member & Chairman of the Falaba District Football Association, ​Sulaiman Sillah Sesay — NERFA Exco Member & Chairman of the Bombali District Football Association, ​Tejan Frederickson Fatorma — Head of the Media and Marketing Department and ​Mohamed Milton Koroma — Head of the Competitions Department
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The primary objective of the one-day orientation was to transition the new appointees from transitionary status to fully functional administrative executives. The process was structured to achieve explicitly defining the portfolios, KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), and operational boundaries of the deputy roles to ensure efficiency and avoid administrative overlap; establishing clear reporting lines and collaborative frameworks between the deputies and their respective substantive departmental heads and grounding the new appointees in NERFA’s short- and long-term goals, governing statutes, and compliance policies to protect and project the association's image.

During the session, the Exco members delivered key institutional charges, setting a high standard of expectations for the new officials.
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In their respective responses, the newly appointed deputy heads expressed profound gratitude to the leadership for the confidence reposed in them and promised to work in lockstep with departmental heads.
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Both appointees concluded by assuring the Executive Committee of their readiness to safeguard the reputation of NERFA and work collaboratively to take regional football to unprecedented heights.

Smart Angels face Tonkolili Queens in Northeast Regional Female Division One finale

The 2026 Regional Female Division One League is set for a conclusion this Sunday, 4 July 2026 as league debutants Smart Angels go head-to-head against Tonkolili Queens at the Wusum Stadium in Makeni.
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​This decisive grand finale carries immense weight for both clubs. The winner will secure the right to represent the Northeast Region in the upcoming Female National Playoff which will be hosted in Port Loko.

​The ultimate objective for the regional champions is to secure promotion to the top-tier Premier League for the 2026/2027 season.
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​The winner of Sunday’s match will complete the region's representation in the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) national playoffs. They will join their male counterparts, Bombali Sebora and Kholifa Stars who have already qualified as regional flag bearers in the male category.

NERFA concludes 2026 Regional Division One League; Bombali Sebora FC crowned champions
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The North-East Region Football Association (NERFA) has officially concluded its 2026 Regional Division One League season with the final round of fixtures completed on Wednesday, 18th June 2026.
​In alignment with the newly structured football ecosystem, the tournament featured 10 competing clubs representing the four constituent District Football Associations (FAs) within the region.
Matches were hosted across four designated venues.
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​The league demonstrated high technical quality yielding a total of 209 goals scored across 90 matches.
​The competitive landscape shifted at the commencement of the league's second leg when Kanunka FC withdrew from the competition. Consequently, the remaining nine clubs successfully fulfilled their fixtures to contest the title.
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​The race for the title concluded in a dramatic tie at the top of the table. Bombali Sebora FC emerged as the official league champions, securing the title on goal difference after finishing level with Kholifa Stars FC on 32 points each.

The NERFA hereby pronounces Bombali Sebora FC as the champions of the 2026 Regional Division One League.
​By virtue of their first and second-place finishes respectively both Bombali Sebora FC and Kholifa Stars FC have earned official promotion to represent the North-East Region in the upcoming Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) National Playoffs.
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​At the lower end of the table the outcomes of the season have confirmed the demotion of two clubs. Kanunka FC (following their mid-season withdrawal) and Kabala City FC have both been officially relegated to the Regional Second Division for the ensuing football calendar.
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​A comprehensive technical and statistical analysis of the 2026 season will be compiled and published immediately following the official crowning ceremony of the regional champions.

Bombali Sebora seizes the summit after a decisive win

Bombali Sebora has leaped to the top of the league table following a decisive 3-1 victory over Dynamic FC.
With only one match remaining in this season’s campaign, Sebora’s crucial win brings them to 29 points from 16 matches allowing them to edge past Kholifa Stars on goal advantage.

Kabiru Conteh delivered a spectacular hat-trick for the hosts single-handedly dismantling the visitors from Mongo Bendugu.

Mohamed Sumah found the net for Dynamic though it did little to alter their fortunes.

Following the defeat, Dynamic FC remains frozen on 14 points after 16 matches while Sebora controls their own destiny heading into the final matchday.

With just one or two matches remaining, the Regional Division One League table is a portrait of pure intensity after Matchday 47.
The race for the regional crown has never been more fiercely contested, while the relegation zone is a volatile mix of hope and anxiety as teams scramble to avoid joining Kanunka FC in the drop.
As the season reaches its final sprint, where does your club sit before the curtain falls?