Leone Stars Squad Profiles
Sierra Leone Football.com profile of players called up by Leone Stars coach Johnny McKinstry to play against Equatorial Guinea at the National Stadium, Freetown on Saturday 7th September 2013.
Leone Stars line-up against Tunisia in Freetown June 2013
Sheriff Suma, Kei Kamara, Umaru 'Zingalay' Bangura, Mohamed 'Poborsky' Bangura, Ibrahim Tarawally, John Kamara
Alhassan 'Crespo' Kamara, Mustapha Dumbuya, George 'Kweku' Davies, Mohamed 'Medo' Kamara, Ibrahim 'Obrey' Kargbo
Solomon Zombo Morris (FC Rouen, France)
Position: Goal Keeper
DOB: 16.06.90
Place of Birth: Freetown
Age: 23
Height: 1.80 m (5'10.5")
Caps: 2
Solomon Zombo Morris plays as a goalkeeper for French club FC Rouen in the Championnat National. He was called up for the first time in Sierra Leone's 2013 African Cup of Nations qualification match against Tunisia.
John Trye
(Northern Virginia Royals, USA)
Position: Goal Keeper
DOB: 16.03.85
Place of Birth: Freetown
Age: 28
Height: 1.90 m (6'2")
Caps: 1
John Trye plays as a goal keeper for Northern Virginia Royals. His only cap so far was in a friendly against Nigeria. When asked whether he intended playing for the national team: John replied, "I'm always ready to play for my country if given the chance," he added "Every player wants to put on his national colours."
Umaru
'Zingalay' Bangura (Dinamo Minsk, Belarus)
Position: Defender
DOB: 07.10.87
Place of Birth: Freetown
Age: 25
Height: 1.83 m (6'0")
Caps: 19
Previous clubs: Mighty Blackpool, Watford, Honefoss, FK Haugesund.
Umaru Bangura, Age 26, a central defender who has just moved to a Belarusian Premier League club Dinamo Minsk from Norwegian top flight league side FK Haugesund. He had a good spell with Haugesund. Bangura has been a regular starting player for Leone Stars since he made his international debut against Mali in 2006 in a 2008 African Cup Of Nations Qualifying match and has been impressive throughout. Bangura was voted the sierraleonefootball.com Player of the Year for 2013.
Sheriff Suma
(Unattached)
Position: Left wing
DOB: 12.10.86
Place of Birth: Freetown
Age: 26
Height: 1.83 m (6' 0")
Caps: 28
Previous clubs: Kallon FC,Alvidabergs FF,GAIS,Haugesund,Ernis Arradipou,Kocaelispor,Jonkopings Sodra,Ravan Baku.
Sheriff Suma nickname Awilo, is a Sierra Leonean international footballer who most recently played as a winger for Ravan Baku and for the Sierra Leone national football team. He was a member of Sierra Leone U-17 team at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Finland. Suma made his senior international debut for Sierra Leone on September 3, 2006 in a 2008 African Nations Cup qualifying match against Mali in Freetown.
Gibril
'Barel' Sankoh (Henan Jiane, China)
Position: Centre half
DOB: 15.05.83
Place of Birth: Freetown
Age: 30
Height: 1.86 m (6'1")
Caps: 3
Previous clubs: Stormvogels Telstar,Groningen,FC Augsburg.
Gibril Sankoh is a centre half who currently plays for Chinese club Henan Jianye.Sankoh was born in Sierra Leone but grew up in the Netherlands. On 8 September 2012, at the age of 29, he made his debut for the Leone Stars in a qualification match against Tunisia for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Hassan
'Milla' Sesay (MYPA, Finland)
Position: Midfield
DOB: 22.10.87
Place of Birth: Freetown
Age: 25
Height: 1.74 m (5' 8.5")
Caps: 0
Hassan Milla Sesay is a Sierra Leonean international footballer, currently playing as an attacking midfielder for MYPA in Veikkausliiga.He also plays for the Sierra Leone national football team. Sesay was a member of Sierra Leone U-17 team at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Finland.
Mustapha
Dumbuya (Notts County, England)
Position: Defence
DOB: 07.08.87
Place of Birth: Sierra Leone
Age: 26
Height: 1.70 m (5'7")
Caps: 3
Mustapha Sima Michael Dumbuya is a professional Sierra Leonean footballer who plays as a defender for League One side Notts County.Dumbuya started his career in the English non-league circuit.Dumbuya joined Doncaster Rovers in August 2009 from Isthmian League club Potters Bar Town.On 2 July 2013 Dumbaya agreed a two-year contract contract with Notts County.Dumbuya was called up to the Sierra Leone squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against São Tomé and PrÃncipe, however a mix up with tickets meant it was too late for him to join up with the squad. Dumbuya said; "Obviously I’m a bit gutted to miss out but the next qualifier is in June and I hope to be called up again then." He was called up again in August 2012 for the qualifier against Tunisia.On 14 October, he finally made his debut for Leone Stars, in the second tie against Tunisia.
Sam Bangura (Unattached)
Position: Defender
DOB: 23.01.95
Place of Birth: Freetown
Age: 18
Caps: 1
Sam Bangura plays as a
full-back and can play on either side but is more at home on the right, where
he attacks from deep. He joined Chelsea FC as an under 13 having moved from
Sierra Leone. He played youth team games as a schoolboy in 2010/11. He
was called up to play for the Leone Stars in May 2013.
Mustapha
'Hadji' Bangura (AEK Larnaca, Cyprus)
Position: Attacking Midfielder/Striker
DOB: 24.10.89
Place of Birth: Freetown
Height: 1.78 m (5'10")
Age: 23
Caps: 14
Mustapha Bangura nickname Hadji, is a Sierra Leonean International footballer. He is a Striker or attacking midfielder for AEK Larnaca in the Cypriot First Division, the highest football league in Cyprus and for the Sierra Leone national football team. He made his senior international debut for Sierra Leone on 6 September 2006 in a 2008 African Nations Cup qualifier against Mali in Freetown.
John Kamara (Apollon Smirnis, Greece)
Position: Midfield
DOB: 12.05.88
Place of Birth: Freetown
Age: 25
Caps: 2
John Bankolé Kamara is a Sierra Leonean footballer who plays
for Greek club Apollon Smyrni,
as a midfielder.
Rodney Strasser (Reggina, Italy)
Position: Defensive Midfielder
DOB: 30.03.90
Place of Birth: Freetown
Height: 1.78 m (5'10")
Age: 23
Caps: 8
Rodney Strasser is a Sierra
Leonean professional footballer who plays
as midfielder for Italian Serie B club Reggina.
Mohamed 'Medo' Kamara (Bolton Wanderers, England)
Position: Defensive Midfielder
DOB: 16.11.87
Place of Birth: Bo
Height: 1.74 m (5'8.5")
Age: 26
Caps: 11
Mohamed Kamara widely known as Medo, is a Sierra Leonean footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderersand the Sierra Leonean national team. He also holds Finnish citizenship. His football career took a great step forward after signing with top-division club Kallon in 2002. Internationally, Medo played for the Sierra Leonean under-17 team that finished runner-up of the 2003 African U-17 Championship in Swaziland. He was also a member of the same team at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Finland. After the FIFA youth tournament, Medo escaped, with a group of his teammates, from their accommodation and applied for asylum. After he got asylum, Medo was ineligible to play professional football until his 18th birthday. In his first year with HJK, Medo played in every league match and was voted for the club MVP of the season.On 31 August 2010, a day after his last match for HJK, Medo signed a three-year contract with Serbian side Partizan.On 31 January 2013, Medo signed for English Championship club Bolton Wanderers on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.His debut came on 23 February as he came on as a substitute in Bolton's 4–1 win versus Hull City. His first goal for the club came on 30 March against Charlton Athletic as he scored Bolton's second in a 2–3 defeat. Medo announced his availability for the Sierra Leonean national team and was subsequently called up to face Niger on 27 March 2011.Finally, Medo debuted for his homeland in that match playing the full 90 minutes.
Ibrahim 'Obrey' Kargbo (RDWM Molenbeek, Belgium)
Position: Centre Back/ Defensive Midfielder
DOB: 10.04.82
Place of Birth: Freetown
Height: 1.75 m (5'8.5")
Age: 31
Caps: 34
Ibrahim Kargbo is a Sierra Leonean international football player, who plays for RDWM Molenbeek, Belgium. Former teams are Old Edwardians F.C., Feyenoord Rotterdam, RWD Molenbeek, Sporting Charleroi, Malatyaspor, FC Brussels andWillem II. During his time at Willem II he was a key player. He played more than 100 matches for the Dutch side and then moved to FC Baku when his contract had expired. Kargbo is first choice defender for the Sierra Leone national football team and is also the Leone Stars captain.
Abdulai Bell Baggie (Tranmere Rovers, England)
Position: Winger
DOB: 22.04.92
Place of Birth: Sierra Leone
Height: 1.68 m (5'6")
Age: 21
Caps: 2
Abdulai Hindolo Bell-Baggie is a Sierra Leonean professional football winger who plays for League One club Tranmere Rovers. Born in Sierra Leone, Bell-Baggie represented both the England under-16 and England under-17 national teams before winning a cap for Sierra Leone in 2013. A former Reading player, he has played on loan for Rotherham United, Port Vale, and Crawley Town and was briefly contracted to Yeovil Town and Hayes & Yeading United. He joined Salisbury City in January 2012, before switching to Tranmere Rovers seven months later.Bell-Baggie turned out for England at both under-16 and under-17 levels. He lifted the Victory Shield in 2007 with the under-16s, Bell-Baggie starting in the 2–0 win over Wales and the 2–1 win against Scotland. In August 2008 he made two appearances for the under-17s, in a 2–1 defeat by Portugal and a 2–0 win over Italy.Bell-Baggie made ​​his senior debut with Sierra Leone in a 1–0 defeat to Cape Verde at the Estádio da Várzea in a World Cup qualifier on 15 June 2013. Rotherham United manager Ronnie Moore considered him to be an "impact player". He went on to say "he's got electric pace. He's brave and strong and has got a lot of goals for the Reserves and kids. He's two footed and can play on the left wing and gets into little pockets. He turns and twists and, even at his young age, he knows the game.
George 'Kweku' Davies (FC Johansen, Sierra Leone)
Position: Midfield
DOB: 16.11.96
Place of Birth: Freetown
Age: 17
George Kweku Davies got recognition of his talents by being part of the FC Johansen team that won the Swiss U16 Cup in 2011 by defeating Liverpool FCs' U16 team in the final. George was joint highest scorer in the competition with 7 goals from 5 games. That brought him to the attention of Manchester City scouts who got him training at their affiliated academy in Ghana, Right to Dream, and a stint at Manchester City in England. “Davies is very good striker who is very technical, fast on the ball and can score goals. I brought him to FC Johansen because I knew he was a potential star,†Coach Keister told sierraleonefootball.com. He made his debut for Leone Stars A team against Tunisia in June 2013 and was impressive. He was rated as the best player in the Leone Stars home team that represented Sierra Leone at the WAFU Cup in Ghana in November 2013 scoring a goal in a 2-2 draw with Benin.
Ibrahim 'Teteh' Bangura (Beitar Jerusalem, Israel)
Position: Striker
DOB: 27.12.89
Place of Birth: Freetown
Height: 1.83 m (6'0")
Age: 24
Caps: 9
Ibrahim "Teteh" Bangura is a Sierra Leonean international footballer. He currently plays for Beitar Jerusalem on loan from Bursaspor. Bangura began his career in his native Sierra Leone, playing with F.C. Kallon. He was the leading goal scorer in the Sierra Leone National Premier League and Sierra Leone FA Cup for the 2006–07 season, and participated in European trials A.C. Milan and Swedish club BK Häcken, but was not offered a contract by either team. On August 31 2013 Bangura entered for the 1st time into a game vs. Maccabi Petah Tiqwa, as a substitute, and helped the club to win it's first win in 2013-2014 season. Bangura was called up to the Sierra Leone national team for a World Cup qualifier with Equatorial Guinea on 6 September 2008.
Kei Kamara
(Middlesbrough FC, England)
Position: Forward
DOB: 01.09.84
Place of Birth: Kenema
Height: 1.91 m (6'3")
Age: 29
Caps: 16
Kamara was born and raised in Kenema, Sierra Leone's third largest city. At age 19, Kamara and his family migrated to the United States through a refugee program, and settled with relatives in Hawthorne, California, near Los Angeles. Kamara played for Kallon F.C. in his native Sierra Leone from 2001-2003, before he migrated to the USA. Kamara played college soccer at California State University Dominguez Hills, where, in his sophomore season, he was named third-team All-American. Kamara also spent two seasons with Orange County Blue Star in the USL Premier Development League. On 15 September 2009, Kamara was traded to Sporting Kansas City for Abe Thompson and allocation money. Kamara had several productive seasons with Kansas City which saw him become one of the most imposing wingers in the league. Kamara was a transfer target of Norwich City of the English Premier League during the winter 2013 transfer window following an unsuccessful trial at Stoke Cityearlier in the off-season. It was announced on 30 January 2013 that Kamara was signed on loan by Norwich for the remainder of the 2012–13 Premier League season. On 4 May 2013 Norwich City confirmed the loan deal had ended and he would be returning to Sporting Kansas City immediately. On 2 September 2013 it was confirmed that Kamara had signed for Middlesbrough F.C. of the Football League Championship for a fee of £800,000. Kamara was voted website sierraleonefootball.com's Player of the Year for 2012. Kamara was also crowned the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) footballer of the year 2013.
Mohamed 'Poborsky' Bangura (Istanbul BB, Turkey)
Position: Forward
DOB: 27.07.89
Place of Birth: Kambia
Height: 1.80 m (5'10.5")
Age: 24
Caps: 14
Mohamed Bangura (born 27 July 1989) is a professional footballer from Sierra
Leone who currently plays as a striker for Allsvenskan club Elfsborg,
on loan from Scottish
Premiership club Celtic and the Sierra
Leone national football team. Bangura started his youth career at FC
Kallon where he became an important player for the team. In the
beginning of 2010 he earned his first international cap in a 1–0 loss to Senegal in Dakar. He represented FC
Kallon at the World Youth Tournament Viareggio Cup 2010 and scored a
goal against Napoli SC where FC
Kallon lost by 2–3, he also took part in a match against Chivas
Guadalarja of Mexico. In the final game he scored a brace against AC Parma but FC
Kallon lost 2–3.On 19 March 2010, Swedish
third tier side IFK
Värnamo (coached by the former Sweden midfielder Jonas
Thern) announced they had signed Bangura on loan for the
forthcoming season. At the Småland club Bangura made an immediate impact;
when half of the season was played, Bangura had scored 12 goals in 13 league
games, turning Värnamo into one of the division's top sides. Experts professed the club had signed a gem and that it would
only be a matter of time before Bangura would be swooped by top clubs.
Michael Lahoud (Philadephia Union, USA)
Position: Midfield
DOB: 15.09.86
Place of Birth: Freetown
Height: 1.73 m (5'8")
Age: 26
Caps: 1
Michael Lahoud is a
Sierra Leonean-born American soccer player
who currently plays for the Philadelphia
Union in Major
League Soccer.
Alhassan 'Crespo' Kamara (Orebro SK, Sweden)
Position: Forward
DOB: 13.01.93
Place of Birth: Freetown
Height: 1.80 m (5'10.5")
Age: 20
Caps: 3
Alhassan
A. Kamara sometimes referred to by just
his nickname Crespo, is a Sierra
Leonean footballer
Sources: Wikipedia, Sierra Leone Football.com
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