The stage is now set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 Orange Sierra Leone FA Cup after two of the country’s most historic football clubs, Mighty Blackpool and East End Lions, booked their places in the final following an action-packed semifinal weekend in Freetown.
Both teams secured hard-fought victories in their respective semifinal encounters, setting up what many football fans are already describing as one of the biggest domestic fixtures of the season.
Mighty Blackpool, popularly known as the “Tis-Tas Boys,” became the first team to qualify for the final after overcoming surprise semifinalists Abacha City FC in a tense encounter played on Saturday, May 16, at the SLFA Academy Playing Field.
The match ended goalless after regulation time, with both sides struggling to find a breakthrough despite several attacking attempts.
Abacha City FC, widely regarded as one of the tournament’s biggest underdog stories, put up a resilient display against the more experienced Blackpool side and came close to causing another upset during normal time.
However, the game eventually proceeded to penalties, where Mighty Blackpool held their nerve to win the shootout 4-3 and secure qualification for the final.
The victory kept alive Blackpool’s ambition of adding another major domestic trophy to their history and further underlined the unpredictable nature of this year’s FA Cup competition.
On Sunday, May 17, East End Lions joined their long-time rivals in the final after defeating FC Kallon 1-0 at the Approved School Playing Field.
The decisive moment of the match came in the 43rd minute when forward Innocent Emmanuel Uduk found the back of the net to hand the “Killers” a crucial first-half lead.Despite FC Kallon’s efforts to respond in the second half, East End Lions maintained their defensive discipline and held on to secure victory and a place in the final.
FC Kallon’s elimination marked one of the major talking points of the competition, particularly after their impressive quarterfinal victory over defending champions Bo Rangers FC — a result that had positioned them among the favourites to lift the trophy.
Instead, the tournament will now conclude with a highly anticipated showdown between two of Sierra Leone’s most successful and passionately supported clubs.
The upcoming final is expected to reignite one of the fiercest rivalries in Sierra Leone football history, with Mighty Blackpool and East End Lions preparing to battle for national glory and the right to be crowned 2026 Orange Sierra Leone FA Cup champions.
Football supporters across the country are already anticipating an electrifying atmosphere for the encounter, which is expected to draw massive attention from fans and neutrals alike.
Beyond the prestige of winning the FA Cup trophy, the stakes are also significant on the continental stage.
The winner of the competition will automatically qualify for the CAF Championship, Africa’s premier interclub competition, where they will join the eventual winner of the Leone Rock Premier League as Sierra Leone’s representatives.
In addition, the FA Cup champion will later face the winner of the Leone Rock Premier League in the Sierra Leone Super Cup final, adding further importance to the outcome of the match.
Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has confirmed that an official date for the final has not yet been announced, assuring fans that details regarding the venue and kickoff arrangements will be communicated in due course.