Mattsson takes on full-time deal as Leone Stars coach
The Sierra Leone Football Association has confirmed Lars Olof Mattsson as full-time coach in charge of the national side Leone Stars.
The Swede is now tasked to qualify Leone Stars for both the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup tournaments.
Speaking shortly after his confirmation the 57 years old said: “I’ve accepted the job and am delighted about it”.
Mattsson handled Sierra Leone’s last four 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches at home against Egypt, Niger, and South Africa on both leg basis despite working in the midst of fierce opposition from the SLFA at the time.
SLFA were keen for local coach Christian Cole to be given the job above the Swede, who was being employed by the Sports Ministry on a match-by-match basis and was not then recognized by the local FA.
“This time the SLFA and sports ministry are working together and the decision was taken by the two bodies,” said Abdul Rahman Swarray, the SLFA’s Acting Secretary General.
Under Mattsson’s guidance, Sierra Leone has improved in the FIFA world rankings, occupying 61st spot higher than former African champions Nigeria. On Saturday, Leone Stars opened their 2014 World Cup campaign in a game they won by 2-1 against Cape Verde in Group B.
Their next encounter would be away at Equatorial Guinea on 9-10 June. Tunisia, a side that has represented Africa four times at the World Cup, are also part of the teams playing against Leone Stars in the group stages.
Mattsson is tasked to also negotiate a 2013 Nations Cup tie against Sao Tome and Principe next month, as the Leone Stars look to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg. The Swede was in charge of that game in February, with the approval of the SLFA for the first time in a competitive fixture. Expressing happiness for his post, Mattsson promised he will do his best as he tries to steer Sierra Leone to a first Nations Cup qualifier since 1996.
“I’ve been given the mandate to guide Leone Stars to both the NATIONS cup and World Cup finals but I must admit that it’s a difficult task,” he told BBC Sport recently.
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Haji Thonkla
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I am utterly thrilled about the move of the country’s sport authorities. We must fly Sierra Leone flag at the international sport domain proudly. We have immense talents of players that we must make a proper use of.The time is now, to promote Sierra Leone talented players across the world.GO ON SALONE.
5th June 2012