Rodney Michael (@superrod001) profile picture
SIERRA LEONE, WEST AFRICA
Joined August 2010
Photo by Rodney Michael (@superrod001)Photo by Rodney Michael (@superrod001)Photo by Rodney Michael (@superrod001)Photo by Rodney Michael (@superrod001)Photo by Rodney Michael (@superrod001)Photo by Rodney Michael (@superrod001)Photo by Rodney Michael (@superrod001)Photo by Rodney Michael (@superrod001)Photo by Rodney Michael (@superrod001)Photo by Rodney Michael (@superrod001)
Th4 death of Jesus De Miguel caused by a terruble foul by goalkeeper Owono is sad. My sincerest sympathy with the family of DE MIGUEL. However @FIFAcom have asked for an investigation to prevent such incidents in the future. That is all that should be done. The Spanish Polish investigating Owono for involuntary manslaughter is a dangerous precedent in a contact sport. Every sport has risks and whilst this was an avoidable death, there is no way Owono would intend to harm the deceased. A few years ago, a cricket played killer another in Australia with a bouncer. The entire Australia and cricket world supported that player and he continued to play. What we need to do now is emulate the Australians. Give support to Owono who has not been able to live with himself since the terrible incident, and support the family to cope with their loss and help them accept to forgive. Owono has suggested he will never play again. He has even suggested he wants to meet the family to beg for forgiveness. He has shown absolute remorse and regrets. Something he has to live with forever. May God grant Jesus eternal rest, help his family cope and forgive Owono. The world united when the bolton player collapsed and "died" for 15 seconds, Fabrice Mbuema, we chanted "one game one family". We have lost a family member, let us not disown another for a mistake.
2
2
1
7
838
Sierra Leonean Jessica Michael and colleagues from Alabama, USA, meet Ambassador Amara Sowah in Washington as they prepare for their model UN meeting.
11
478
The panel decided in point 1 that the serial numbers matching the clubs voting did not guarantee the secret ballot process. As @mightyblackpool delegate at the elective congress, i raised this objectiom as a procedural flaw. It was amended at my firm objection. The @FIFAcom reps agreed with me and rexommended ir was amended. Effort was made but not sufficient. The numbering continued and delegates rememebred their alloted numbers which would confirm who they voted for. Inwas number 4 and qfter the process they went to verify who i voted for. I was not parr of the CAS CASE and neither did I appear as a witness or witness the hearing. But it gives me great joy that ny objection and concern was supported by the CAS PANEL. In future elections the @SLFA_sl electoral committee must use blank ballot papers and allocated without any form of identification of voters to ensure it is absolutely and exclusively a secret ballor.
CAS Upholds 2025 SLFA Election Results, Dismisses Challenge by Aminata Bangura and Others The Court of Arbitration for Sport @CAS has dismissed an appeal challenging the outcome of the Sierra Leone Football Association @SLFA_sl presidential election held on 2 August 2025, confirming the victory of Babadi Kamara and the decision of the SLFA Electoral Appeals Committee. In an arbitral award dated 2 November 2026 in the case CAS 2025/A/11738 Aminata Bangura, Slifa FC & Musa Mahmood v. Sierra Leone Football Association, the three-member Panel ruled that the appeal filed by Ms Bangura, Slifa FC and Mr Musa Mahmood on 8 September 2025 is dismissed. The decision of the SLFA Electoral Appeals Committee of 18 August 2025 is confirmed in full. Babadi Kamara won the elective congress with 43 votes to Bangura’s 11, after the third candidate, Umaru Bah, withdrew. The clear margin proved decisive in the CAS ruling. Background to the Dispute The election took place amid a series of controversies. The SLFA Ethics Board had earlier barred both Bangura and then-President Thomas Daddy Brima from contesting, imposing one-year bans from football-related activities. CAS granted Bangura provisional measures on 31 July 2025, allowing her to stand. Brima remained barred, leaving the association without a sitting president at the congress. The First Vice-President was also absent, and the Second Vice-President, Mr Tarawally, chaired the proceedings after a majority of delegates endorsed the arrangement. The Appellants raised multiple grounds, including the improper convening of the congress, late release and alleged manipulation of the delegate list, the forcible removal and arrest of Slifa FC’s delegate Benjamin Gordon, the use of serial-numbered ballots (raising secrecy concerns), and questions over the appointment and integrity checks of the Electoral Committee, Ethics Board and Electoral Appeals Committee. Panel’s Findings The CAS Panel, chaired by Mr Lars Hilliger with arbitrators Mr David Casserly SC and Mr Kwadjo Adjepong OBE, examined the evidence, including witness testimony and video footage. It acknowledged several procedural shortcomings: 1. The first three ballots were issued with serial numbers matching the voter list, meaning those votes could not properly be considered secret under Article 25 of the SLFA Constitution. Subsequent ballots were mixed after an objection was raised. 2. The treatment of Mr Gordon by police and security personnel was described as excessive, heavy-handed and violent. The Panel noted that the SLFA owed a duty of care to delegates and condemned the manner of his removal and arrest, which prevented him from voting. It stopped short of finding systematic intimidation. However, the Panel concluded that these and other issues, individually or taken together, did not materially affect the integrity or the outcome of the presidential election, given the decisive 43-11 margin and the failure of the appellants to discharge their burden of proof on several points. It agreed with the lower body that safeguards should be strengthened for future elections (including earlier publication of delegate lists, clearer rules on chairing in the absence of the president, and better protocols with police). The Panel also confirmed that the Executive Committee properly convened the congress and that the Standing Orders of Congress allowed the longest-serving available vice-president to chair in the circumstances. Costs The appellants were ordered to bear the costs of the arbitration jointly and severally. They must also pay CHF 6,000 towards the SLFA’s legal fees and expenses. The ruling closes the main legal challenge to the August 2025 elective congress at the international level. A separate CAS case concerning Bangura’s earlier Ethics Board disqualification (CAS 2025/A/11613) was previously dismissed in early October 2026. The decision provides legal finality to Kamara’s presidency more than a year after the congress, while highlighting areas where the SLFA’s electoral processes can be improved.
1
3
405
Report from @AYVnews on face book. The @SLFA_sl has won the CAS case relating to the 2025 elections which saw Babadi Kamara emerge victorious. However, significant in the ruling are the following 1. Irregularities in the electoral process (an issue I raised during the elections) 2. Recommendation to improve the process 3. The manhandling of Benjamin Gordon as inhumane. (An issue i was very vocal about.) 4. The conclusion that in spite of 1 to 3...they were not material enough to affect the results. (A concern I raised because of margin of victory). I hope this ruling teaches us a lesson...our electoral process seems to always have irregularities. We must prevent this in the future. Secondly, had the margin been less than 20% could the ruling have differed? Possibly. Therefore we must ensure in the future the elections are free and fair and devoid of irregularities. We cannot and should not need to go to CAS every time there is an election. Now the result stands, we ask Babadi to reach out and unite the family once and for all. And those aggrieved accept any olive branch. Some of us are now semi retired. We only observe and wish well.
3
548
Thank You @keikamara this is a wonderful reminder for all of us. facebook.com/share/v/16P2qKJ…
1
154
End of month and bank charges are debited. You have an account in UK, no Commission on turnover or any other charges. In sierra leone i just received 41 messages from 6 accounts, business and private, all debits for bank charges, c.o.t., gst, interest, internet banking, and God alone knows what. How do they expect poor people to deposit their little pennies when the bank will find any chance to deduct from the credits? This is why the informal non-banking sector is growing whilst the banking sector is struggling.
10
3
1
36
1,778
Stranded for 2 hours now at Lumley in front of the bus depot. Appealing to traffic division to find ways of preventing this kind of traffic. Have not used this road for a long time and I doubt I will use it in the forseeable future. Fear is the traffic is stationary...and we could be here for another 3 hours. We cannot turn around as there is no space. What a friday evening.
1
1
11
974
Thank you @Cafonline1 for doing the sensible thing. I have only met Mr Adamu once during a @ACAFootball_ board meeting and do not know him personally. But he has served @Cafonline1 for over a decade and has earned the respect of all of African MAs as head of competitions etc. He deserves this oppprtunity. Our prayers with @Cafonline1 AND MR ADAMU.
Congratulations to Mr. Samson Adamu on his appointment as General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF)
3
286
I respect @KMbappe after this interview. Absolute honesty. I pray he wins it next year.
🚨Kylian Mbappé on Harry Kane winning the Ballon d’Or ahead of him and Lamine Yamal: 🗣️ Kylian Mbappé: “To be honest, I sat there throughout the ceremony and listened to everything. I barely moved from my seat because, at some point, I genuinely wanted to see whether they were going to invite us onto the stage or simply hand every award to the Spanish players! “Every time they announced a winner, it felt like another Spanish player was going to collect a trophy. And I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Okay, let’s see how this ends.’ “At one point, Michael Olise turned to me and said, ‘Kylian, when did the Ballon d’Or become a country achievement?’ “I laughed and told him, ‘Just sit down and watch. We haven’t seen the final award yet.’ “Then Lamine won the Young Player of the Year award. Congratulations to him, because he is an incredible talent. But we were still waiting for the biggest prize of the night. “Finally, they announced the men’s Ballon d’Or winner, and it was Harry Kane. “Honestly, if I had to choose between Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal winning it ahead of me, I would rather see Harry win it. “Not because I have anything against Lamine. He is a fantastic player, and I respect what he has achieved. But Harry represents something I deeply respect about football. He has worked for years, carried enormous expectations and continued to deliver at the highest level. “Seeing him lift that trophy made me happy. I was proud of him, genuinely. But let me be clear: I didn’t travel to that ceremony to support Harry Kane. I went there because I wanted to win the Ballon d’Or myself. “And I think people sometimes forget that. You can respect another player, congratulate him and appreciate his achievement while still being disappointed that you didn’t win. “I sat there watching him celebrate, and part of me was happy for him. Another part of me was asking what I needed to do differently to make sure I would be the one standing on that stage next time. “People might look at my reaction and say, ‘Mbappé should be grateful to be nominated.’ Of course I’m grateful. But I didn’t reach this level by being satisfied with nominations. “I want to win. I want to be the best. And when I lose, I don’t suddenly pretend that winning was never important to me. “I would rather lose the Ballon d’Or to a player I respect than win the sympathy of people who tell me I deserved it after the ceremony.” “Harry had his night, and I respect that. But my story isn’t finished. If working harder, scoring more goals, improving my game and taking greater responsibility are what it takes, then that is exactly what I will do. “I won’t ask anyone to feel sorry for me. I won’t complain about the result. I will go back to work. “Because the next time I walk into that ceremony, I don’t want to sit there wondering whose name they are going to announce. “I want to hear my own name and I want nobody to have an argument about whether I deserve it.”
Readers added context they thought people might want to know
The detailed quote attributed to Kylian Mbappé here is fabricated; he made no such statements. Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or ahead of Mbappé (2nd) and Lamine Yamal (3rd), with reports noting only Mbappé's visible disappointment at the event. bbc.com/sport/football… infobae.com/deportes/2026/… uefa.com/uefachampionsl…
195
The @ballondor will be awarded soon...and if it is not @HKane then it is unfair. His Stats is way better than the rest. No one else deserves it more.
1
3
225
Rodney Michael retweeted
Only a Matter of Time? Why Sierra Leone Must Intensify Ebola Preparedness Now We do not wish for it. No one who lived through 2014–2016 wants to see #Ebola return to our shores. Yet the confirmation of an imported case in Nigeria’s capital this week, coming after cases in Kenya and the ongoing large Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the #Congo and #Uganda, makes one reality plain; in a region connected by air routes, (at least three KQ flights a week) trade, and porous borders, the risk of importation is no longer theoretical. It is a question of when, not if, unless our defences hold. #SierraLeone’s National Public Health Agency @slnpha and the Ministry of Health @mohs_sl deserve clear commendation for the measures already in place. Following #Kenya’s imported cases, they strengthened screening and surveillance at #Freetown International Airport and official land border crossings. Travellers are being asked for accurate health and travel information, advised to monitor themselves for 21 days, and directed to call 117 if symptoms appear. Earlier this year the authorities conducted simulation exercises, assessed isolation capacity, including at the Port Loko Field Hospital, and continued building on the post-2014 investments in surveillance, laboratory networks, rapid response teams, and community-based early warning systems. These steps show that the institutional memory of the last outbreak has not been lost. That said, the measures now in place must be intensified and improved, urgently, if we are to avoid another outbreak on the scale that devastated the Mano River Union countries. Bundibugyo virus is not the Zaire strain we faced a decade ago; there is currently no licensed vaccine and no proven specific treatment. Case fatality in the DRC outbreak has hovered near 50 per cent. #Nigeria’s experience this week, a traveller admitted to a private hospital and treated for days before confirmation, with dozens of contacts already identified, illustrates how quickly an imported case can generate chains of transmission if detection and isolation are delayed. What intensification should look like is clear. Points of entry need sustained, adequately resourced screening capacity, not episodic heightening. Laboratory readiness for Bundibugyo testing must be confirmed and backed by rapid sample transport. Isolation beds and infection-prevention supplies should be pre-positioned and regularly drilled, especially in private facilities that may see the first patients. Community engagement and risk communication, building on lessons from both Ebola and more recent responses such as #Mpox, must reach people before any case arrives, so that early reporting is trusted rather than feared. Cross-border coordination with #Liberia and #Guinea, already discussed in scientific forums, should move from principle to practical joint surveillance and information-sharing protocols. Stockpiles, financing mechanisms, and healthcare-worker protection cannot remain on paper. The 2014–2016 epidemic showed how quickly a single introduction can overwhelm fragile systems when surveillance is patchy, trust is low, and response is reactive. Sierra Leone has made real progress since then. The test now is whether that progress can be converted into the speed and discipline required to stop an imported case before it becomes an outbreak. The NPHA and Ministry of Health have started the work; partners, local authorities, health workers, and citizens must help them finish it. Waiting for the first case on our soil to prove the gaps would be a failure we cannot afford.
1
1
10
1,981
A joutnalist sent me below picture of the 20.8 MW WATERLOO INNOVENT SOLAR FARM (INVESTMENT COST - 25 M Euros) , after reading my comments on energy. This is the reason I appreciate the @julius_maadabio Govt policy on energy ... searching for lasting solutions, enticing and encouraging IPPs to invest in Sierra Leone Energy. I have researched the project and understand the phase 1 tariff will be around 11 cents to 13 cents per KWH. This will enable EDSA collect enough to pay off the supply without dependency on the consolidated fund. I hope the phase 2 of the INNOVENT PROJECT is approved soon. I also researched and the Chinese 30 MW at NEWTON cost about 45 m dollars and has been completed. It will supply power to EDSA at about the same 11 to 13 cents per KWH. Whilst other energy options are more reliable and more efficient, but cost far more, I am a big fan of solar and hydro for Africa generally and Sierra Leone particularly because it is affordable. As a Nation, we are not even middle class, we cannot afford luxury, and must seek services that we can manage and sustain. Ambition has limitations...we all want the best but the best is relative. We must seek the best we can afford and not the best beyond our economic status that will plunge us deep in debt. Tomorrow I will share my views on how the Provincial Energy project should be advanced. It will not please politicians because it will be purely from a business man's perspective not to seek public support but to ensure it is sustainable.
2
1
1
13
779
Humour time: There is this misconception around town that I am an influencer and my commentaries influence the Govt of @julius_maadabio and the public. A friend attached to an NGO calls me "Sierra Leone's influencer". Maybe this is why some people decided to attack and threaten me for my sincerest and patriotic opinion 2 days ago. But truth be told, my comments are of no significance in Govts policies and governance. At times I doubt Govt leaders even see it yet alone read it. My followers are small and I am not an influencer. Social forums for me is like an Ataya base...a way of venting out frustration and expressing an opinion. It is never borne out of malice neither intended to influence anyone. I do not have that kind of connections or status within the Govt, although the public assumes otherwise. But I enjoy twitter...since I have reduced my whatsapp participation. This for me is a comfortable space to express myself...since I do not have a lot of other space. If eventually it influences anyone, all good, but that is definitely not my intent.
2
21
783
One of my first business experience was controlling my uncle's Michael Stores in Bo, the official honda agents in the provinces. The Sierra Leone Shipping Company then handled all shipping arrangements for us. It made life so easy. Seeing on social media @julius_maadabio open the Shipping Company today brought good memories and renewed hope that shipping will once more be made easier. We must live in optimism always because things are not easy globally. We hope this shipping company will make life easier for importers and exporters. Sierra Leone deserves the best options.
1
1
7
416
The Agriculture secror has really been a huge success in the last 24 to 36 months, particularly due to @julius_maadabio personal investment and participation in promoting farming and actively involved as an investor and advocate. Increased foreign and local investment on Small, Medium and large faming has increased production considerably, with importation of rice down 8% and importation of onions down 95%. Same goes for vegetables and pepper with absolutely no need for importation. With the growth in agriculture such as increased investment locally, there will be additional benefits in numerous ways such as "reduced importation and less demand for forex, job creation, more revenue collected from taxation and exportation, etc" We should really be proud of the achievement in Agriculture.
1
1
291
The @EmfFootballclub has been promoted to the division 1 of thr Southern Region after suffering relegationast year. The coach is an unlicensed coach with incredible talent. He has just completed the @SLFA_sl D Licence coaching course paid for by the club. We will continue to invest in him and build his capacity all the way to Caf A Licence. We have reduced the squad to a small 18 man squad. We are currently settling all arrears of current and released players and we will invest and focus in the race to Premier League next year.
1
1
4
262
On Friday i commended @julius_maadabio visit to the NANT PROJECT PLANT, and expressed delight and optimism looking forward to the completion of the 60 MW PHASE 1 in 6 months. However, as a caution, i warned about the importance of tariffs...the importance of EDSA charging and collecting more from consumers than they pay supplier, to avoid piling debts on the consolidated fund. A clever journalist used ky tweet to circulate an article relying on my tweet. That is his prerogative not my responsibility. Apparently the article was circulated far and wide, and formed the basis of many discussions, none of whicb I was a participant. The said article irritated senior management of the NANT PLANT who misconstrued the journalists article as my authorship. One such senior management attacked me and insulted my family and I, threatening me. His rudeness and threats is insignificant to me. Now to clarify, I am totally in support of the NANT PROJECT as a reliable, efficient, clean energy solution, and with a long life span. I do think 420 m dollars for 110 MW is high but quality service costs money, and it could still be an excellent service. My only concern is ensuring it does not become the burden of @mof_sl to have to subsidise payment because our economy cannot afford such subsidies. If NANT POWER is to succeed, EDSA must charge consumers more than it pays and ensure a robust revenue collection scheme is introduced to offset the bills with zero dependency on the consolidated fund and @mof_sl If this is achieved we will enjoy a wonderful service and reliable constant clean energy supply from the NANT PROJECT. If this is not achieved then we are doomed to add more debts our economy cannot afford. We must get this right. This is a Not an article. It is a tweet. If journalists find my writing worthy of an arricle, that is their profession not my responsibility.
It was great seeing @julius_maadabio lead a strong team to inspect the NANT POWER PROJECT. The development has been commendable so far, but of course for a 420 m dollars project nothing less would be tolerated. My only reservation about the Nant Project will be the tariff. I understand it may be as high as Karpower or higher. This could cause a major challenge to constant reliable supply of electricity. If the tariff is affordable without dependency on the Consolidated Fund to subsidise heavily, then it will be a brilliant development. If not, we could be forced to accumulate identical debts as we have done with Karpower. That could raise questions about the investment itself. For now we remain very positive and optimistic, and look forward to the first 60 MW in 6 months time.
1
1
1
8
885
It was great seeing @julius_maadabio lead a strong team to inspect the NANT POWER PROJECT. The development has been commendable so far, but of course for a 420 m dollars project nothing less would be tolerated. My only reservation about the Nant Project will be the tariff. I understand it may be as high as Karpower or higher. This could cause a major challenge to constant reliable supply of electricity. If the tariff is affordable without dependency on the Consolidated Fund to subsidise heavily, then it will be a brilliant development. If not, we could be forced to accumulate identical debts as we have done with Karpower. That could raise questions about the investment itself. For now we remain very positive and optimistic, and look forward to the first 60 MW in 6 months time.
1
2
2
17
1,285
It has been a day of shocks and the news that former @mightyblackpool Team Manager Shine died this morning after falling sick yesterday is thr biggest shock of all. Shine workef under my leadership for 4 yesrs before our relationship was tested. He was however very passionate about the club and sacrificed a lot for @mightyblackpool. May his soul RIP.
11
472
Growing up in Bo City in the late 80s...some 40 years ago I had just been inducted as a member of the Bo District Football association - PRO 3... I was attending CKC FORM 4 THEN Young, handsome, stylish and sociable...have always been a peoples man.
11
6
1
115
2,422