Former Sierra Leone international footballer Lamin Bangura has tragically passed away at the age of 59 following a road accident in the West African nation on Tuesday night.
The accident occurred in the village of Konta Line when a bus transporting Ports Authority FC, the team Bangura coached, collided with a stationary truck. The team was en route from the capital, Freetown, to Kenema for a Sierra Leone Premier League fixture.
Idrissa Tarawally, the secretary-general of Ports Authority, confirmed that Bangura was rushed to a hospital in Freetown but succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Wednesday.
“It’s a sad day for Sierra Leone football. This is shocking, and I’m devastated. I’m speechless. A legend and good coach has gone so soon,” Tarawally said
Six players sustained injuries in the crash in Tonkolili district, with some in critical condition, and are currently receiving medical treatment in Freetown. As a result, Wednesday’s Premier League match against Kahunla Rangers was postponed.
Lamin Bangura, a former centre-back, played a key role in helping Sierra Leone qualify for the 1994 and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations finals, where he featured prominently.
Sierra Leone coach Amidu Karim, who played alongside Bangura in the national team during the 1990s, expressed his grief, describing Bangura as a friend, brother, and mentor.
Thomas Daddy Brima, president of the Sierra Leone Football Association, hailed Bangura as a football icon who contributed significantly to Sierra Leonean football both as a player and a coach. Brima also emphasised the need for increased road safety measures, particularly for football teams, following a series of accidents involving them.
Lamin Bangura, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career with clubs in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia, transitioned into coaching, achieving success with various clubs before taking charge of Ports Authority FC in August 2021. He will be laid to rest on Friday.