John Keister is the new head coach of Sierra Leone’s national team, the Leone Stars. Keister’s appointment was officially confirmed by the Technical Director of Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), John Jebbor Sherrington, on Thursday 18 May 2017, at the Atlantic Hall of the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown.
News that he would replace the outgoing Leone Stars coach, Ghanaian, Sellas Tetteh, was officially confirmed at an unveiling ceremony attended by the FA President, Isha Johansen and the Minister of Sport, Ahmed Khanou.
The former Leone Stars player and current CAF Technical Instructor who served as assistant coach under Jonathan Mckinstry and Sellas Tetteh, was unveiled alongside his back room staff which includes his assistant who is also the national home base coach Abubakarr Tostao Kamara, Amidu Karim, John Sama, Goalkeeper trainer, Prince Tamba Moses, Junior Konneh, Masseur and fitness trainer, Philip Kor, Jeffrey Kabia CHAN goal Keeper and Yusif Unisa Kamara, team doctor.
The Leone Stars boss whose contract was undisclosed will serve the national team for the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and his first assignment will be the match in Freetown against Kenya on 10 June 10 2017.
Keister said, “We’ve been entrusted as a technical team with a massive job, which we are ready to do in the interest of football and the country. I want you guys to understand that we’ve started a new journey, and all of us are part of the journey”.
“Hopefully all of us will smile at the end of the journey which has started today,” the Leone Stars head coach said.
Assistant national team coach and home base head coach Abubakarr Tostao Kamara, stated, “I am proud standing here today. I had served this nation once as a player and today, I have been given another responsibility as a coach”.
“I want to assure you that we will work in the best interest of the country and prove to Sierra Leoneans that we are capable of handling the job,” the former Leone Stars Captain said.
SLFA President Isha Johansen officially welcomed Keister and the rest of the technical team on board, extending well wishes to them and pledging the FA’s full support towards the team.
The Minister of Sport, Ahmed Khanou, said, “The technical department of the FA have sat down look deep within, reacted to pressure and reasoning to accord you that royal privilege of choosing a home grown talent to lead the national team”.
“You must look at it as a challenge; a very serious challenge, because this will be the foundation stone of building confidence, handling the trust of the FA to give you more responsibilities, “he adds.
Minister Khanou emphasised “When I was appointed Minister, I said I am a representative of young people. If I misbehave or fail, I am failing the young people of this country. That is the similar challenge you all have”.
Friday May 19, 2017.