01/07/2025
Mohamed Kallon Issues Ultimatum: $20,000 Monthly Salary or Exit as Leone Stars Coach
Freetown, Sierra Leone — Leone Stars head coach Mohamed Kallon has issued a firm ultimatum to football authorities, demanding a monthly salary of $20,000 or signalling his departure from the role.
Kallon, a national football icon and former captain of the Leone Stars, was appointed head coach less than six months ago amid great anticipation and renewed hope for the team’s future. However, this period of optimism now appears uncertain as salary negotiations reach a critical impasse.
Sources close to the discussions have confirmed that the government initially offered $10,000 per month, which was later increased to $15,000 following consultations between the Ministry of Sports, the National Sports Authority (NSA), and the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA). Despite this adjustment, Kallon has reportedly rejected the offer, insisting that his value, experience, and international prospects merit a higher figure.
“I’m worth more,” Kallon is said to have told officials, citing an alleged $40,000 offer from Liberia as well as potential interest from another unnamed country.
Should the $15,000 offer be accepted, Kallon would become the highest-paid national team coach in Sierra Leone’s history. However, the government appears unwilling to raise the figure further. Officials within the Ministry of Finance have described the $15,000 offer as final, citing fiscal constraints and the need to prioritise broader sports development.
This impasse arrives at a delicate moment for the Leone Stars, who have struggled to regain form and consistency in recent international fixtures. Kallon’s appointment was initially seen as a step towards long-term stability, given his deep connections with the team and his legacy as one of Sierra Leone’s greatest football exports.
With negotiations now stalled, the future of Kallon’s tenure remains uncertain. If neither side compromises, Sierra Leone could face yet another coaching change — a scenario fans and stakeholders had hoped to avoid.
The Ministry of Sports has so far remained silent on any further talks. All eyes are now on Mohamed Kallon, who must decide whether to accept the current terms or stand firm on principle and walk away.
Source: Hawa Dauda
News By Sports Correspondent, Foday Simah Kargbo, Dethrone Media and Entertainment
