Nahim Khadi, the new president of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), has a good background as a player but has little experience in football management.  This has raised questions as to whether the 56 year-old former international is the right man to end the country's football crisis.

There has not been any competitive football in Sierra Leone for the last 10 months because of the internal power struggles in the SLFA and many are questioning whether Khadi's recent appointment will help solve those problems.

Veteran football administrator Alhaji Unisa Alim Sesay has said that Sierra Leone's problems are managerial ones and that Nahim Khadi's lack of experience in that area mean he will struggle to find solutions for the problems.  Khadi insists that he has what it takes to take the game forward in the Sierra Leone.

"I have the managerial skills to administer football as I have been in the game for so long," said Nahim Khadi told BBC Sport.  "I am up to the task to bring unity and progress to the game in Sierra Leone."  The Sierra Leone captain Mohamed Kallon also believes that Khadi can handle the job.

"I have no problems with Khadi and I think he is the right man for the job," Kallon told BBC Sport.  "We, the footballers, like Khadi because has contributed meaningfully to the game in the country and I think with him at the helm of affairs, the problems of Sierra Leone football are over."  Another veteran football administrator Malama Thomas added his voice to those backing Khadi.  "Nahim Khadi was the best out of the three contenders for the hot seat and I think he can solve the problems," he said.

Khadi received 32 votes in the 29 May election to defeat his closest rival in the race Dr Foday Bangura.  Khadi played for Sierra Leone in the sixties and seventies and also turned out for five local clubs including the country's two most popular clubs, East End Lions and Mighty Blackpool.  He has also served as team manager for Leone Stars as well as the Junior team, Sierra Stars.

Mohammed Fajah Barrie
BBC Sport