By Alpha Abu
Sierra Leone’s football family was plunged into deep shock and grief following a fatal road accident involving a bus carrying players of Premier League side Ports Authority which claimed the lives of Coach Lamin Bangura, the bus driver and his mate. Several other players including the goalkeeper were said to have been seriously injured and are in a critical condition in hospital. Other players including Musa ‘Tombo’ Noah Kamara who was reportedly at the back of the bus were unhurt.
The team was travelling to Kenema Tuesday evening for a premier league match against Kahunla Stars that was scheduled for the following day Wednesday 27th March.
Sierra Leone Ports and Harbour Authority (SLPHA) – the parent institution managing Ports Authority Football Club in a released statement acknowledges the contributions of Lamin Bangura to the club, saying his: “dedication, passion and leadership have left an indelible mark on our organization, and his loss will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him. We share in your grief during this difficult time and offer our sincere support’’.
SLPHA’s Director-General, Yankuba Askia Bio was quoted saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with each member of the team and their families who have been deeply impacted and profoundly saddened by this tragic event”.
SLPHA expressed gratitude “to the football fraternity’’, and took cognisant of Bo Rangers Management for being “amongst the first responders to this tragedy”.
There has been an endless outpouring of grief from other clubs across the country since news of the tragedy broke.
Defending Premier League Champions Bo Rangers in a statement in the immediate aftermath of the accident extended “heartfelt sympathy to Ports Authority on the loss of their Head Coach Lamin Bangura’’.
Bo Rangers said that at the behest of Club Chairman Babadi Kamara their ambulance and team bus were swiftly dispatched to the accident scene to transport the affected Ports Authority team to Freetown for urgent medical care. The severely injured were to be taken to Emergency Hospital at Goderich, west of the capital.
The Bo Rangers Chairman was at the hospital with the injured players until 3 am.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the players and the technical team currently in critical condition, as the football community comes together to offer support and hope during this challenging time’’, the Rangers statement concludes.
Kahunla Stars who were to host Ports Authority said: “The football community is like a family and we stand together during this time of sorrow.”
One of the oldest clubs in the country- Mighty Blackpool in reacting to the tragedy commended “efforts and actions taken by the football family and some other stakeholders across the country.’’
The club in extending sympathy to the Ports Authority over the loss of Lamin Bangura also notes: “We are in prayers with the entire Ports Authority FC delegation who are in critical condition, as the football family continues to demonstrate solidarity during this tragic period”.
Another premier league side Real Republicans said: ‘‘ Our thoughts are with the management, players and technical team of Ports Authority FC as well as all individuals impacted by this unfortunate incident’’.
‘‘Coach Lamin Bangura is considered …a hero and a soldier of football, who served and fought to develop the beautiful game till his last breath’’, part of a statement from another premier league side FC Kallon, read.
East End Lions in their statement said: ‘‘Coach Bangura was more than a mentor, he was a beacon of inspiration, a guiding light whose passion for football touched the lives of countless players and enthusiasts. His legacy as both a player and coach will forever echo through the annals of the sport’’.
Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) reacted to the tragic event saying: ‘‘Our hearts go out to the club, families and friends of the individuals who lost their lives, including the Head Coach Lamin Bangura and we extend our sincerest condolences to you all’’.
Lamin Bangura was a well-respected defensive player who featured for the national team Leone Stars and represented the country at the 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations. He also played for various clubs in Sierra Leone including Diamond Stars which he later coached and took to two consecutive league titles at the turn of the last decade. He also plied his trade as a footballer in other African countries and was a player and later coach for Guinean club Kaloum Stars where he also won the league as a coach.
According to reports, the Ports Authority team bus rammed into a stationary truck at Konta-Line, a village along the Masiaka-Mile 91 Highway, Tuesday night. Sources say the Ports Authority team bus departed Freetown at around 7 pm.
The funeral ceremony is to take place at the Oldfield Street Mosque in Freetown on Friday 29th March and the remains of Lamin Bangura will be laid to rest at the Kissy Road Cemetery.
It was a tragic end for a man who as a player showed true sportsmanship. His composure in defence under pressure and his reading of the game won him plaudits. He was a charismatic player that will forever be sorely missed.
Meanwhile, SLFA has suspended all league matches across the country.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (28/03/24)
