Category: Players Abroad News

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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.