Sierra Leone has a new man in charge. The Sierra Leone Football Association has appointed French-Portuguese tactician Didier Gomes Da Rosa as head coach of the Leone Stars, ahead of a crucial new chapter for the national team.
Who is Didier Gomes Da Rosa?
Born 10 October 1969 in Charenton-le-Pont, France, Gomes Da Rosa is a UEFA Pro Licence holder and former midfielder. He holds dual French-Portuguese citizenship. His coaching style is built on a 4-2-3-1 formation, defensive solidity, and quick transitions.
A proven African football specialist
Gomes Da Rosa is not new to African football. Since 2013 he’s built a reputation as a “nomadic yet impactful” coach who turns teams around fast.
Club success:
1. Rayon Sports, Rwanda: Took them from relegation zone to win the 2013 Rwanda Premier League
2. Coton Sport, Cameroon: Back-to-back Elite One titles in 2014 + 2015, plus Cameroon Cup 2014. Reached CAF Confederation Cup semi-final
3. Horoya AC, Guinea: Clean sweep in 2019 – Ligue 1, National Cup + Super Cup
4. Simba SC, Tanzania: Won the Premier League + Cup in 2021 with a 75% win rate
5. Al-Wehdat, Jordan: Won 2 Jordanian Cups in 2022
National team impact:
His biggest achievement came with Botswana 2023-2024. He ended the Zebras’ 15-year AFCON drought by qualifying them for AFCON 2025, beating Cape Verde twice, Ghana and Egypt along the way. He also coached Mauritania at AFCON 2021.
The numbers: Over 369 games managed, 191 wins, 10+ trophies across Rwanda, Cameroon, Guinea, Tanzania and Jordan. He’s also reached the latter stages of the CAF Confederation Cup and Arab Club Champions Cup.
Why Leone Stars?
SLFA is betting on his African experience, ability to stabilize struggling teams, and track record of qualifying underdogs. Gomes Da Rosa thrives in tough conditions – limited resources, logistics, and high fan expectations. That’s exactly what Sierra Leone needs.
