Cambuur winger Issa Kallon has confirmed his withdrawal from the Sierra Leone African Cup of Nations squad for matches against Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau next month.

Issa, 26, was initially on the list of players that were supposed to be announced by the Lene Stars technical team ahead of camping in the neighbouring Guinean capital before travelling to Nigeria.

Sierra Leone to open their Afcon 2023 campaign with an away contest against three-times African Champions Nigeria in Abuja on June 9.

Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja will host Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON opening qualifier against Sierra Leone behind closed doors.

Speaking to this medium late Wednesday evening, he confirmed he decided to withdraw due to an expected summer move.

“I am going to make a move this summer, a few clubs are interested in me, and It is important to stay fit and avoid any possibility of getting injured,” Kallon to FSL News.

“My agent decided for me not to leave until I secure a deal. So I called and told the coach that I would not be available as this is going to be an important move to me.”

General Lansana Conté stadium in Guinea to host the Leone Stars home tie against Guinea Bissau Afcon matchday two on June 13 2022.

Kallon, who scored in Cambuur’s 3-2 away win against Groningen last Sunday, was in the Leone Stars March training camp in Turkey.

Sierra Leone’s midfielder Issa Kallon won the penalty after being fouled by Equatorial Guinea’s midfielder Pablo Comitre Ganet during the Group E Africa Cup of Nations match between Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea at Limbe Omnisport Stadium on January 20, 2022. However, the Leone Stars failed to convert the spot-kick.

The last meeting between the two West African nations In Nigeria was a 4-4 draw, played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on November 20 2022.

Connect with us on Twitter, @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – Contact; bittar@footballsierraleonet.

Sierra Leone defender David Osman is set to make his AFC Cup debut with India side Gokulam Kerala against ATK Mohun Bagan at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium (Kolkata) on Wednesday.

Simbo, who joined the club in February, has been named on Kerala’s side in this year’s Asian club competition.

Gokulam Kerala FC and ATK Mohun Bagan will both fancy their chances when they square off in Group D of the AFC Cup 2022 on Wednesday.

In a meeting between two Indian sides, Gokulam Kerala will head into the tie basking in glory after becoming the first team to retain the I-League trophy.

ATK Mohun Bagan, meanwhile, have already seen early AFC Cup action – having navigated past Sri Lanka’s Blue Star SC and Abahani Limited Dhaka of Bangladesh to book their group stage slot. 

Head coach Juan Ferrando is confident his ATK Mohun Bagan side are ready for the AFC Cup.

“For us, it is important to have qualified, but it is also important to play well tomorrow. My players need to enjoy the game. Gokulam are in high performance, but we’ve had three weeks to put in the work, and I am satisfied with the preparation,” said Ferrando.

“To play at home is amazing. The supporters are a big advantage, but on the pitch, we will be playing a strong team. We are working hard to be ready.”

ATK Mohun Bagan finished third in the 2021-22 Indian Super League and was eliminated by eventual champions Hyderabad FC in the semi-finals of the playoffs. 

“It’s not a disadvantage that the other three teams are champions of their respective leagues, we finished third, but we are a big team, with a very good squad. It’s going to be XI against XI, playing in the same weather conditions. We aren’t under any pressure playing against champions,” added Ferrando.

Groug D – Gokulam Kerala FC (IND) v ATK Mohun Bagan (IND)

Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium (Kolkata)

Kick-off: 16:30 (UTC+5:30)

Source AFC.com 

Defender David Simbo set to make @AFCCup debut with @GokulamKeralaFC

Sierra Leone defender David Simbo set to make his AFC Cup debut with India side @GokulamKeralaFC against @atkmohunbaganfc at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium (Kolkata) on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/vxCn4Skzq0

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) May 17, 2022