By Mohanmed Jaward Nyallay
Coach of East End Lions, John Keister have said he will continue to set high standard for himself as a coach. He spoke to Politico shortly after he was awarded on Saturday evening as the best coach of the season in the just concluded Sierra Leone Premier League campaign.
“I have always set myself standard. When the season starts, I will regroup, I will have time to reflect on my success and see where we go. But it never changes my ambition about what I want to do and how I want to go about it,” he said.
Keister led East End Lions to the title last season unbeaten after 24 games, winning 13 and drawing 11. He became the first coach to win the title unbeaten in the country.
He was on the shortlist of the prestigious award with Amidu Karim and Alahji Foray of FC Kallon and Kamboi Eagles respectively. Keister who was the former caretaker coach of Leone Stars was recently overlooked for the job. But that has not fazed him.
Kesiter said though the award means a great deal to his personal growth, the club and players deserve the praise of his latest achievement.
He said: “It’s just part of my own development. It means more to the football club to be honest. Great club deserves days like today. Especially for the players as well. These are the days that you cherish, which aspire you to go on and do well.”
As part of their accolades as a team, two other players from East End Lions won individual awards. Goal Keeper Mohamed Kamara was awarded as the Best Goalkeeper in the league and Musa Kamara (Musa Tombo) awarded as the Best Striker and also won the golden boot after scoring 15 goals.
East End Lions had five players in the Premier League eleven. Keister said despite all this, the club is currently planning for more success in the coming season.
“There are always plans. The club is planning. We are happy with that. It is something that we will do anyway. We need to progress as a football club that is part of our development.”
© 2019 Politico Online
