by FSL News | 18 Jan, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Crystal Palace youngster Sullay Kaikai admitted he was ‘happy’ to make his first start and a full debut for the club on Tuesday in their FA Cup third-round replay against Bolton.
Kaikai who returned to Crystal Palace after he was recalled from his loan deal was named in Sam Allardyce’s 2-1 winning side.
The youngster making his first Palace start curled free-kick inches wide of the far post in the best chance of the opening 45 minutes.
The 21-year-old after the match he tweeted: “Happy to make my full debut today. Good result! Thanks to everyone for the support. Fans carried us through.”
Bolton had taken the lead at the start of the second half through James Henry but Christian Benteke came to the rescue the Belgian scored twice to give Sam Allardyce’s his first win as Palace manager.
Palace will host Manchester City in round four on 28 January at 16:00 GMT.
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by FSL News | 12 Jan, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Former AIK striker, Mohamed Bangura pictured, has joined Swedish Superettan outfit, Dalkurd FF.
He last signed a three-year deal in December 2015 with China League One side Dalian Yifang making 24 appearances scoring three goals.
However, Bangura who departed Dalian Yifang has signed a new one-year deal in Sweden with the second-tier side.
“Feels great to have come to Dalkurd FF, said the Leone star striker. “I have seen Dalkurd played the way I prefer to play football.
“My expectations for the season are that I help Dalkurd gain promotion to the top flight, Bangura was quoted as saying.
Bangura has had spells with IFK Värnamo, Celtic, Elfsborg, Istanbul Basaksehir and AIK before moving to China.
Bangura made his Sierra Leone debut against Egypt which ended in a 1–1 draw, during 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match in September 2010.
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by FSL News | 10 Jan, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Sierra Leone striker, Mohamed ‘Poborsky’ Bangura has parted ways with Chinese League One side Dalian Yifang Football Club. The 27-year-old left the club despite two years remaining on his contract.
The former AIK striker signed a three-year deal in December 2015 with the Chinese second tier side that was understood to be around US$1.1 million but according to various reports from Sweden, both parties reached an agreement on mutual consent to end the said deal.
Though further reasons were not given for the decision, the former AIK and İstanbul Başakşehi striker is now a ‘Bosman player’ (which gives him permission to discuss with a new club).
Bangura endured little plus season with the Chinese outfit, scoring less than five goals in all competitions as his season hampered by injuries.
The 2011 Sierra Leonean player of the year joined Dalian Yifang from AIK where he scored eight goals in the Swedish league during the 2015 league season and also helped AIK Stockholm to finish third.
Bangura’s professional journey started from IFK Värnamo in 2010 before joining AIK. He has since played for Celtic, Elfsborg, Istanbul Basaksehir and returned to AIK before moving to China.
He became the fourth Sierra Leonean to have played in China after Mohamed Kallon, the late Mamadu Alphajor Bah, and Gibril Sankoh.
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by FSL News | 7 Jan, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Abdul-Rahman Bangura has handed Atlanta Silverbacks a timely boost by returning to training ahead of the hectic US National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) 2017 calendar.
The Sierra Leone international was named skipper of the fourth-tier side last season but has been on the sidelined with a knee injury he suffered in training end of September 2016.
However, Bangura confirmed this week he is back in training and looking forward to the new campaign.
“I was disappointed not to be able to help my teammates following the knee injuring I suffered at the end of September.”
“I was restricted to only 9 games last season, despite my absent we ended up 2nd position and we were the regional champions of our conference, but we lost in the Championship final.
“I’m fit and ready for pre-season next month and looking forward to a very new challenge,” Bangura told footballsierraleone.net
Bangura, 31, signed a professional contract with the Atlanta Silverbacks on 28 February 2014 and made his debut in Silverbacks 2-1 victory as a substitute in the 89th minute away against FC Edmonton.
Abdul made his first start with the club on 31 May 2014 against Minnesota United FC. He played the full 90 minutes; however, Atlanta lost the game 2-1 at home.
The American National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) starts in Mid-April till October/November ending.
Bangura was first called up to play for Sierra Leone during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification against Seychelles.
He got his first cap and played the first match in Freetown in Leone Stars 2-0 victory over Seychelles.
The former Härnösand FF defender has made four appearances for Leone Stars against Ivory Coast, Seychelles and twice against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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by FSL News | 2 Jan, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Brentford Football Club have confirmed on their official website that Sullay Kaikai has returned to Crystal Palace after he was recalled from his loan deal. The 21-year-old hailing from Sierra Leonean parents joined Brentford in August in a deal that was set to last for the whole of the 2016/17 season.
However, Palace has exercised an option to recall Sullay during the January Transfer Window. He will head back to Palace immediately and will not be available for Brentford’s Sky Bet Championship game at Birmingham City today, Monday 2 January.
Kaikai on twitter posted: “Thanks to all the @CPFC fans for the welcoming messages. Can’t wait to get started!”
He also thanked Brentford FC, “Thanks to everyone at @BrentfordFC for a great time. Wish the club every success in the future.”
He made 18 Championship league appearances for Brentford during his loan spell at Griffin Park, started six of those, including the draw against Norwich City on Saturday, scoring three goals in his four months with the West London outfit.
Brentford Head Coach, Dean Smith, told club’s website: “We would have loved to have kept hold of Sullay for the season. He is a player with great potential and he has made an impact for us, particularly in recent matches. This is his first taste of Championship football and he has made the step up, he is a player I have enjoyed working with.
“He is a Crystal Palace player and they have exercised their option to recall him. They have players going to the African Cup of Nations and have lots of games coming up so Sullay may be in line to play in the Premier League for them. They also have a new manager in Sam Allardyce and I am sure he wants to look at Sullay. I wish him all the best for the rest of this season and thank him for his efforts during his time here.”
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by FSL News | 2 Jan, 2017 | Players Abroad News
Mustapha Dumbuya pictured in Sierra Leone’s outfit has not played for the Jags since June 2016. He was one of the club’s most impressive and consistent performers last season.
The Sierra Leone right-back has confirmed he is back training and hopefully will be back in Alan Archibald’s first team by the end of this month.
Answering questions from footballsierraleone.net, Dumbuya said: “I’m back training now so hopefully by the end of January I’ll be back with the first squad, I’m positive.”
Dumbuya’s side had two goals disallowed for offside while Killie had an opportunity to snatch all three points late on last Saturday in their goalless draw against Kilmarnock.
The 29-year-old defender is pleased with his teammates during his time out battling with his Achilles problem.
“The lads have done well, regardless of all the injury troubles. We have long term injuries but hopefully, everyone will be back fit soon.”
The Maryhill side are presently seventh in the Scottish premiership standing winning two from their last five matches, two draws and a defeat to Celtic.
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