by FSL News | 19 Feb, 2017 | Players Abroad News
18-year-old American-born but of Sierra Leonean parents, Bashirr Morray aka Bash, has been tapped by the University of North Carolina-Asheville (UNCA) to help win the conference and national championship trophies for the university.
Bash in photo: Said he was motivated to join UNCA because of its academic programs, small class sizes, and inspiring soccer program under coach Mennell.
Bash said he was motivated to join UNCA because of its academic programs, small class sizes, and inspiring soccer program under coach Mennell.
In a recent interview with this medium, his dad disclosed that “Bash had options to play for other universities in the US but he was impressed by UNCA’s Soccer Program.”
An ardent supporter of Chelsea in the English Premier League, the teenage soccer revelation who likes to play as a striker (#9) and sometimes as a winger (#7) spends his leisure following the exploits of Hazard and Willian when he is not reading his books.
In addition to the two Chelsea stars, Bash is also a huge admirer of Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United and Didier Drogba, another Chelsea icon. In the MLS, Bash admires Italian-born Toronto FC Forward, Sebastian Giovinco. He says they are a driving force behind his brand of football and hopes to follow in their footsteps.
Should he get a call up to play in the MLS, the 2016 North Carolina Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA) State Cup finalist at the U-16 level, said he would be happy to play for LA Galaxy. However, he also has his eyes set outside of the US such as the English premiership, the Spanish La Liga, the Bundesliga in Germany, the Ligue 1 in France and the Italian Serie A.
Previous coaches during his days in High school speak highly of his brilliance on and off the field. For his dad, he is hopeful that Bash will bring his skills as a great individual and team contributor as well as his commitment to strengthening UNCA’s winning mentality. “He is polite, kind, hardworking and a very competitive young man,” he added.
In his final year in high school, Bash scored 30 goals and provided 15 assists in 19 games. He also played club soccer for 4 years for the Triangle Futbol Club Alliance of North Carolina, where he established himself as a prolific striker.
At the age of 14, Bash visited Freetown where he had first-hand experience of playing on dusty football patches with makeshift goal posts and no protective gears for teammates. This has left an indelible imprint on his mind and he dreams of one day having a soccer academy for young footballers in Sierra Leone should he be successful in soccer.
For big games, the teenage sensation prepares himself by listening to music and trying to relax.
He is definitely a star to watch out for.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 19 Feb, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone and Partick Thistle defender Mustapha Dumbuya (pictured) was delighted with his performance and team victory over struggling Hamilton Academical on Saturday.
The Jags moved into the top six of the Scottish Premiership, with a 2-0 win over Hamilton Accies at Firhill.
Kris Doolan came off the bench to grab a double for the home side, a result which moves them into the top six.
Dumbuya who was making only his second top-flight appearances since rupturing his Achilles tendon last summer is happy with his team performance and his contribution playing again.
“The game was good, and solid team performance, wasn’t the prettiest game to watch,” he told footballsierraleone.net. “But we had to adapt to the way Hamilton play, but well deserved three points and we now looking forward to the next game, hearts at home
@football_sierra
Scottish Premiership: As it stood the top 7 standings
by FSL News | 15 Feb, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Kazakhstan Premier League outfit was founded in 1968; 49 years ago
Sierra Leone international John Kamara believes he can be the midfield anchorman to drive newly promoted Kazakhstan Premier League outfit to glory this season and beyond.
Kamara is the first ever Sierra Leonean to grace the top-flight league in Kazakhstan after he signed a one-year deal to keep him at the club until the end of 2017.
The 28-year-old is coming off the back of an impressive showing in the Latvian top flight with FC Riga where he made over 27 league appearances in both defense and midfield.
The former PAS Lamia 1964 midfielder’s improvement has been down to hard work and regular football action – amazingly he made over 2000 minutes in twenty-eight appearances last season in Latvia.
Kamara, who was rated as one the most effective player in Latvia last season is convinced he can lead his new side to a new era of stability and success.
The Sierra Leone international told footballsierraleone.net, “I can say am happy to be the new enforcer in FC Kaysar. Hopefully, I can recapture my last season’s form.
“I’ve signed a one-year deal and can’t wait to get started; the fans will love watching me playing for this great team. I’m ready and delighted to be here.
Kamara made his international debut for Sierra Leone in 2013 and has appeared in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
He was introduced in the dying minutes for Leone Stars in the victory over Sudan in Freetown on June 4, 2016, in the Africa Cup of Nation’s qualifier.
Kamara has won 13 caps for Leone Stars.
The club have only missed three top flight seasons following relegations. FC Kaisar most successful season was 1998 when they won the Kazakhstan Cup and ended in fourth position.
Follow the writer @bittar32 – Contact bi****@*********************ne.net – football_sierra
by FSL News | 15 Feb, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Defender Osman Kakay has expressed his delight with his and the team performance in Chesterfield’s’ 1-1 draw away to Gillingham on Tuesday.
The teenage right-back hailing from Sierra Leone and Nigerian parents joined the club on loan from QPR and will remain at the Proact until April 30.
Tom Anderson late strike earned the Spireites a vital point at Priestfield.
Kakay, 19, was unlucky not to open his Chesterfield account after linking up brilliantly with Simons to work a shooting opportunity; he smashed the ball goalwards but was thwarted by Nelson from point-blank range.
Speaking after the match in his post-match interview, Kakay was pleased.
“My debut was really good, he said. “Physically, physically the game was really tough. I thought we played really well as a team we were very strong and solid.
“We done what we had to do we deserved it, obviously disappointed to concede from the long throw was a bit cheaper, but the way we played we set a mark. We deserved the point.”
The struggling English League One side are back in action again on Saturday they host Bury.
They’re presently second from bottom in a serious relegation dogfight.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 14 Feb, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Former Leicester City defender and Sierra Leone international Alie Sesay has signed for Swedish Superettan outfit.
Swedish club IF Frej Täby have completed the signing of Former Leicester City defender and Sierra Leone international Alie Sesay.
The 23-year-old who joined the Bees from Leicester City last January 15, 2016, on an 18-month contract departed English League Two outfit on a mutual consent a few weeks ago.
“We have studied Alie in many games and we believe that he has a style of play that fits very well into Frey’s football,” said club manager Bartosz Grzelak.
“He is aggressive and fast in his defending and offensively, he is skilled with the ball.
“His style of play suits probably better than in the Superettan League 2, you can say so.”
The Sierra Leone international signed his first professional contract 15 March 2013 with Leicester City and was sent to Colchester United in 2014 on loan deal.
He later signed a one-month loan deal with Cambridge United in October 2015 before joining Barnet.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 7 Feb, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Alhassan Crespo Kamara scored twice but his goals could not stop Molde cruised past BK Hacken 3-2 in their first pre-season friendly on Saturday.
The Sierra Leonean star scored in the 75th and 84th minutes on Wednesday for Hacken after the Norwegian giant took a 3-0 lead in the Dubai International Cup tournament at the Sevens Stadium.
Kamara speaking with FSL, Kamara noted he is currently very happy with life and his performance at Hacken, football is a strange game anything can happen and things can change very quickly but I am happy and committed here.
“I want to play more games, score more games and raise my game. I’m in a happy place, a good moment personally as they have assured me more games.”
“Am happy for my brace despite the defeat, Was happy because we played some good football against Molde,” Kamara told footballsierraleone.net
Hacken’s next match in Dubai is against Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland on the 10 February 2017, at the JA Centre of Excellence Pitch.
The Allsvenskan side will start their 2017-18 season away to AIK Sunday, April 2, 2017, 15:00 at the friends Arena.
Follow the writer @PScot_writer / @football_sierra
Sierra Leone | Highlights -