Former Sierra Leone international Lamin Bangura, aged 59, passed away following a road accident in the West African nation, on Tuesday night.
The accident happened in the village of Konta Line as a bus carrying Ports Authority FC, the club Bangura coached, hit a stationary truck.
The team was travelling from the capital Freetown to Kenema for a Sierra Leone Premier League fixture.
Idrissa Tarawally, the secretary general of Ports Authority, mentioned that Bangura was transported to a hospital in Freetown but succumbed to his injuries during 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 were also injured in the crash in Tonkolili district, with some in a serious condition, and they are receiving treatment in Freetown.
Wednesday’s Premier League game against Kahunla Rangers was postponed because of the tragic news.
Bangura, a centre-back helped Sierra Leone to qualify for the 1994 and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations finals and featured in both tournaments.
He was also a member of the Leone Stars technical staff at the 2021 Nations Cup in Cameroon.
Sierra Leone coach Amidu Karim, who played alongside Bangura for the national side in the 1990s, said he had lost “a friend, brother and mentor”.
“He was my senior in the national team and he motivated us, the younger ones, at the time to do well.
“A true legend is no more. I’m very sad,” Karim added.
Thomas Daddy Brima, president of the Sierra Leone FA, was among others who paid tribute to Bangura.
“He was a legend who gave his all for Sierra Leone both as a player and coach.
“We’ll miss hi,” he said.
