Bo, Sierra Leone — Football fever grips Sierra Leone as two of the country’s most storied clubs, East End Lions FC and Mighty Blackpool FC prepare to clash in the Grand Final of the 2026 Orange FA Cup today at the Southern Arena in Bo City.
The highly anticipated match, a derby between fierce Freetown rivals, is scheduled for a 4:30 PM kickoff (local time), though the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has made adjustments to the timing in recent days.
Club Backgrounds and Rivalry
East End Lions FC, founded in 1928 and representing the East End of Freetown, is one of Sierra Leone’s oldest and most successful clubs. Nicknamed the “Lions,” they compete in the Sierra Leone National Premier League and have a proud history of domestic dominance, including multiple league titles and FA Cup triumphs (such as in 1973, 1980, and others). They play home games at the National Stadium in Freetown and are known for their passionate fan base.
Mighty Blackpool FC, established in 1923 and often called the “Tis-Tas Boys,” represents the West End of Freetown. They are one of the most decorated clubs in Sierra Leonean football history, with a record 15 league titles (last in 2001) and multiple FA Cup wins. The club shares an intense local rivalry with East End Lions.
This final carries extra weight as a rematch of sorts; a previous encounter between the sides in the competition was abandoned due to fan violence, leading to appeals and this renewed showdown.
Venue and Significance
The final takes place at the modern Southern Arena in Bo City, a privately developed 6,000-capacity stadium owned by businessman and football administrator Babadi Kamara. It marks a significant occasion for football in the southern region of the country.
The winner will claim the prestigious Orange FA Cup trophy and earn a coveted spot in the 2026-27 CAF Confederations Cup, providing a major boost for continental competition.
Sponsorship and Build-Up
Telecom giant Orange Sierra Leone is the title sponsor, having signed a landmark NLe 2.8 million deal with the SLFA to brand the 2026 tournament as the Orange FA Cup — the first such naming rights agreement in the competition’s history. This has elevated the profile and prize stakes of the knockout tournament.
Both teams have completed final preparations, with East End Lions wrapping up their last training session ahead of the decider. Tickets are available at varying prices (Open Stand: NLe 20, Covered Stand: NLe 40, VIP: NLe 100), and fans are expected to pack the Southern Arena for what promises to be a passionate and historic encounter.
Broader Context
The Sierra Leone FA Cup, established in 1967, remains the nation’s premier knockout competition. Mighty Blackpool and East End Lions rank among its most frequent contenders and winners historically.
This final not only crowns a domestic champion but also highlights the vibrancy of Sierra Leonean football amid growing sponsorship and infrastructure developments. Fans across the country, and especially in Freetown and Bo, will be glued to the action, with live coverage available through local radio and media outlets.
Who will lift the trophy? The stage is set for an unforgettable chapter in Sierra Leone football history.
