AFCON 2021: Three major recruits for Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has confirmed the authorization of FIFA for the selection of Steven Caulker, Issa Kallon and Jonathan Morsay in the Sierra Leone squad qualified for the 33rd edition of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations which starts on January 9 in Cameroon.

The decision follows requests made by SLFA about the three players of Sierra Leonean origin who have previously played in youth squads in their country of birth.

After a long desert crossing dating back to 1996, Sierra Leone advanced to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

29-year-old Steven Caulker, who played with England’s youth squad, was in Great Britain’s team at the London 2012 Olympics.

And after playing for big English (Tottenham, Liverpool) and Scottish (Dundee FC) clubs, he has been in exile in Turkey between 2019 and 2021 at Alanyaspor and since 2021 at Fenerbahçe.

Netherlands-born winger Issa Kallon has played in the country’s youth squads all the way to the U20s.

Kallon plays for SC Cambur in the second division of Dutch league.

Jonathan Morsay born in Sweden, started his career in this country before moving to Italy, Romania and since the start of this season at Panetolikos in Greece.

The 24-year-old Sierra Leonean-born winger has played in his country’s youth squad.

For their return to AFCON, Sierra Leone will play in Group E with defending champions Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire.

The West African side will play their first game on January 11 against the reigning African champions Desert Foxes in Douala.