Bangura, revered for his contributions on and off the field, played a pivotal role in Sierra Leone's qualification for the 1994 and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations.

Former Sierra Leone football star Lamin Bangura has died at the age of 59 after being involved in a road accident in the West African nation on Tuesday night.

The accident occurred in the serene village of Konta Line as a bus carrying Ports Authority FC, the club Bangura coached, collided with a stationary truck.

The team was travelling from the capital Freetown to Kenema for a Sierra Leone Premier League fixture when the crash happened.

Bangura, a pivotal figure in Sierra Leonean football, was rushed to a hospital in Freetown but succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Wednesday, leaving the football community in mourning.

Idrissa Tarawally, secretary general of Ports Authority, expressed profound grief, describing Bangura’s untimely demise as a profound loss for Sierra Leone football.

“Today is a dark day for Sierra Leone football,” Tarawally said. “This news is utterly shocking and I’m devastated. A legend and good coach has gone so soon.”

The accident in Tonkolili district also left six players injured, some in a serious condition, as they were transported to Freetown for medical treatment.

Wednesday’s Premier League game against Kahunla Rangers was postponed, underscoring the somber mood engulfing the football fraternity.

Bangura, revered for his contributions on and off the field, played a pivotal role in Sierra Leone’s qualification for the 1994 and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations. He was also a member of the Leone Stars technical staff at the 2021 Nations Cup in Cameroon.

The centre-back transitioned seamlessly into coaching, guiding AS Kaloum to league glory in Guinea and clinching consecutive Sierra Leone Premier League titles with Diamond Stars in 2012 and 2013.

Sierra Leone coach Amidu Karim, who played alongside Bangura for the national side during the 1990s, expressed profound sorrow at the loss of “a friend, brother, and mentor.”

“He was my senior in the national team and he was a beacon of inspiration for us younger players,” Karim reminisced. “His legacy as a true legend will endure. This news has left me utterly distraught.”

Thomas Daddy Brima, president of the Sierra Leone FA, echoed sentiments of grief and admiration for Bangura’s immense contribution to Sierra Leonean football.

“He was a legend who gave his all for Sierra Leone both as a player and coach," he said. "We'll miss him.”

Brima said he would ask the body running the Sierra Leone Premier League to put the league on hold until a serious discussion on road safety is held.

“We’ve now had four accidents involving football teams in the country [with] most happening in the night,” he said. “This is a cause for concern. We should put the league on hold to have serious discussions around transportation and safety of the teams.”

Bangura’s illustrious career as both player and coach will be celebrated in a final farewell on Friday as he is laid to rest.