Category: Players Abroad News

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Striker Idris Kanu helps Barnet thrash Kidderminster at the Hive
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Idris Kanu helps Barnet thrash Kidderminster

On Saturday, Barnet secured a comfortable 4-1 win over Kidderminster, during which Sierra Leone International Idris Kanu accounted for one of the goals at the Hive.

It was his seventh of the season as the victory also confirmed the team’s 2nd place finish in the National League, which means they will have the advantage of playing at home in the upcoming play-off semi-final next weekend.

Barnet ended their regular season fixtures with a convincing win against the already-relegated Kidderminster as they prepared for the playoffs. 

In the 33rd minute, Danny Collinge scored the match’s first goal with a header, which was assisted by a corner. This was Collinge’s ninth goal of the season. 

Barnet continued to create chances and in the 44th minute, Nicke Kabamba scored the second goal of the match, his 29th of the season. 

Luke Freeman added to the scoreline in the 47th minute, making it 3-0 for Barnet. 

Kidderminster managed to pull one back in the 60th minute through Charlie Weston. Idris Kanu sealed the three points at The Hive with a beautiful goal, marking the end of the regular season.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1781778929868562698

Emmanuel Samadia's Harford Athletic suffer US Open Cup defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emmanuel Samadia’s Harford Athletic suffer US Open Cup defeat

Hartford Athletic lost 3-2 to New York City II in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup after coming back from a 1-0 deficit and losing a one-goal lead in stoppage time. 

Sierra Leone International Emmanuel Samadia made his first start for the club playing 120 minutes in their defeat in the US Open Cup on Tuesday.

Hartford controlled possession and attacking play throughout the first half, but New York broke through to score in the 63rd minute. 

Hartford equalized in the 79th minute, but the score remained tied at the end of regulation, sending the match into extra time. 

The Green and Blue took the first punch in the additional period, but NYCFCII found the back of the net twice to win the game.

Hartford Athletic signed Sierra Leonean international Emmanuel Samadia for the 2024 season, pending league approval in November 2023. 

Previously, Samadia played for Hapoel Umm al-Fahm and Hapoel Rishon leZion in Liga Leumit, scoring two goals and making ten assists in 89 appearances from 2020-2023. He also helped his team win the Liga Leumit Toto Cup in January 2023.

On Saturday, they’ll return to their USL Championship schedule against San Antonio FC.

Midfielder Yayah Kallon returns to full SSC Bari training
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Yayah Kallon returns to full SSC Bari training

Sierra Leonean footballer Yayah Kallon has returned to full training with the Italian Serie B team SSC Bari after recovering from his latest injury.

Kallon, 22, played his last competitive match for Bari on March 16th in a 1-0 defeat to Sampdoria. 

Unfortunately, he could only feature for two minutes before being replaced due to an injury. 

However, he has since recovered from his knee problem and has returned to training with his teammates this week.

The club confirmed that Kallon had joined first-team training for the second day of the week as they prepare to face Pisa led by Mr Aquilani at San Nicola. 

During their training session, the players were divided into two groups, with one group focusing on gym exercises such as joint mobility, core stability and muscle strengthening. In contrast, the other group worked on tactical exercises specific to their departments. 

The final 30 minutes of the session were dedicated to a mixed ranks challenge on half of the field.

On 10 January 2024, Kallon moved on loan to Bari from  Hellas Verona.

Sullay Kaikai's Cambridge suffer a defeat to Conteh's Bristol Rovers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sullay Kaikai’s Cambridge suffer defeat to Conteh’s Rovers 

Chris Martin scored the only goal of the match for Bristol Rovers against Cambridge United at the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday evening, securing a 1-0 victory in the 87th minute.

The goal was set up by Luke Thomas, who provided the cross that Martin converted. This was Rovers’ first home win in five games.

Sierra Leone internationals Sullay Kaikai in Photo and Kamil Conteh both featured in the game. Kaikai started for Cambridge while Conteh came on as a substitute for Rovers in the 50th minute. 

Chris Martin had a chance to score earlier in the match when he was awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute. However, his poorly placed shot was stopped by Cambridge goalkeeper Will Mannion.

Cambridge had several opportunities to score, particularly from set pieces. Paul Digby and Macauley Bonne both headed corners over the crossbar in the first half, while Mamadou Jobe’s header hit the woodwork in the 60th minute. 

In the last minute of stoppage time, Luca Hoole cleared a shot from Liam Bennett off the line to preserve Rovers’ win.

That goal made up for Martin’s earlier gilt-edged miss – the 35-year-old former Norwich and Derby forward was unable to convert a 33nd-minute penalty.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1780465646586773564

Portsmouth secured promotion to the Championship after coming from behind to beat Barnsley 3-2.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara’s Portsmouth seal title and Championship promotion

Portsmouth secured promotion to the Championship after coming from behind to beat Barnsley 3-2. 

Conor Shaughnessy scored the winning goal in the 89th minute, securing their return to the Championship for the first time since 2012.

Sierra Leonean striker Abu Kamara, who was on loan from Norwich City, played a vital role in the team’s success, recording ten goals and 11 assists throughout the season.

Barnsley’s Devante Cole opened the scoring in the sixth minute, but Portsmouth responded quickly, with Kusini Yengi equalizing three minutes later. 

John McAtee put Barnsley back in front in the 59th minute, but two late goals from Colby Bishop and Conor Shaughnessy sealed the win for Portsmouth.

This victory marks Portsmouth’s return to the Championship after nine years. The team only needed a point to secure promotion, but the win also earned them the League One title. 

The Fratton Park crowd went wild as the home fans celebrated on the pitch at the final whistle.

Kamara’s background 

The versatile forward joined Portsmouth (Pompey) on a season-long loan deal from Norwich in July 2023. 

He joined the Canaries when he was 10 years old and progressed through their academy, eventually signing his first professional deal in January 2021. 

A couple of years later, he replaced Teemu Pukki in the 70th minute of a Championship defeat to Sheffield United, making his senior debut. 

Kamara went on to make three appearances for the Canaries at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, featuring in matches against Rotherham and Blackpool as well.

Abu Kamara's Portsmouth seal title and Championship promotion
Abu Kamara's Portsmouth seal title and Championship promotion
Kamil Conteh's Rovers were brilliant against Cheltenham Town
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kamil Conteh’s Rovers were brilliant against Cheltenham Town

Bristol Rovers broke their seven-match scoring drought in style with a comfortable 3-1 win against relegation-threatened Cheltenham. 

Sierra Leone International Kamil Conteh, who joined the club in January on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee, was named on the bench but was introduced for his fourteen appearances for the club.

Scott Sinclair opened the scoring in the 12th-minute first half, followed by Brandon Aguilera and Elkan Baggott in the 56th and 77th minutes, respectively.

Liam Sercombe scored a stoppage-time consolation goal for Cheltenham.

Rovers skipper Antony Evan had a chance to increase the lead with a first-half penalty, but Cheltenham goalkeeper Luke Southwood saved it with a diving effort to his left. 

Cheltenham offered very little in the game as their survival chances took a significant blow.

Cheltenham made two changes at half-time but could not find a way back into the game. 

In the 56th minute, Thomas found substitute Aguilera, who scored a goal, followed by the third goal from Baggott in the 77th minute. 

Cheltenham scored a goal in the 94th minute, but it was too late.

Abu Kamara on target in Portsmouth & Bolton's 1-all draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara on target in Portsmouth & Bolton’s 1-all draw 

Sierra Leone native Abu Kamara recorded his tenth of the season as Portsmouth and Bolton shared English League One spoils 1-1 at the Toughsheet Stadium in a tense match that prevented the Blues from celebrating their promotion.

Portsmouth needed a win to secure the League One title and promotion to the Championship, and they started well after Abu Kamara scored within the first seven minutes of the game.

However, Bolton responded with Aaron Collins scoring a header to equalize in the first half.

In the second half, both teams had opportunities to score a winner, but neither could convert, meaning that Bolton fell four points behind Derby and their automatic promotion hopes are now out of their hands.

Pompey’s next action will be against Barnsley on Tuesday night at Fratton Park.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alex Bangura returns to Middlesbrough squad for Ipswich

On Saturday, Alex Bangura, an international player from Sierra Leone, was listed on the bench for Middlesbrough’s away game against Ipswich Town in week 43 of the English Championship. 

Bangura, 24, who has been out of action since January due to an injury he sustained while playing against Chelsea in January – made his debut for Boro in their 2-1 loss against Blackburn Rovers at Edwood Park in September 2023. 

The team’s manager, Michael Carrick, expressed his satisfaction with the performance of Alex and a few other players, including Hackney, Van den Berg, Fry, McNair, and Coburn.

Boro has only four games left in the season, and their chances of making it to the playoffs are slim. 

However, they are still in contention for a playoff spot, with Norwich City just six points ahead of them in sixth place. 

Therefore, it is beneficial to have a large pool of players to choose from, especially players as significant as Hackney and Van den Berg.

Sierra Leone's Mustapha Bundu nets winner for Plymouth Argyle
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Mustapha Bundu nets winner for Plymouth Argyle

Mustapha Bundu from Sierra Leone scored the only goal of the game, helping Plymouth Argyle to a 1-0 win over Championship leaders Leicester City. 

The win dealt a blow to Leicester’s hopes of automatic promotion and gave Plymouth a huge boost in their fight for survival.

Leicester is currently on top of the Championship table, level on points with Ipswich Town. 

Although Leicester dominated the first 20 minutes, it was Argyle who took the lead thanks to an excellent counter-attack finished off with a calm right-footed strike by Bundu.

Leicester’s Patson Daka had two fantastic chances in the second half to level the score, but the hosts held on doggedly to frustrate the Foxes and deny them any goals.

Argyle keeper Michael Cooper made a great save to deny substitute Jamie Vardy a goal in the 87th minute, as Leicester failed to turn their late pressure into a goal.

Leicester suffered another away defeat, remaining on top of the table with 88 points, level with Leeds and one point ahead of Ipswich. 

Plymouth Argyle won their third game under temporary leadership and moved up to 16th place, securing five points clear of the relegation zone.

Blackpool beat Sullay Kaikai's Cambridge at Bloomfield Road
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Blackpool beat Sullay Kaikai’s Cambridge at Bloomfield Road

Blackpool kept their slim hopes of reaching the League One play-offs alive with a 1-0 victory over Cambridge at Bloomfield Road. 

Sonny Carey’s goal in the first half proved decisive, leaving Neil Critchley’s men six points away from the sixth-place position. 

Blackpool started the game very aggressively, taking the game to their opponents and almost scoring early on as Cambridge defender Mamadou Jobe almost put the ball into his net, and Ryan Bennett blocked a shot from Carey. 

the home side took the lead when Carey scored with a curling shot into the bottom corner, assisted by Karamoko Dembele. Cambridge almost equalized in the second half, but Dan Grimshaw made a great save to deny Gassan Ahadme’s header from a free-kick.

Sierra Leone’s Sullay Kaikai played for 67 minutes before he was substituted.

Elias Kachunga had a great chance to equalize late on after Macauley Bonne slipped him through, but he hit the inside of the post.