Soccer News of Wednesday, 2 May 2001

Source: Freetown Concord Times

Kallon unlikely against Ghana

Sierra Leone's most prized footballer, Mohammed Kallon Tuesday evening telephoned the SLFA stating his club was reluctant to let him off to play the match against Ghana.

His coming, Kallon said, would therefore depend on whether the SLFA is able to convince the club. The SLFA has been busy trying to let Vicenza (Kallon's club) know that it is a national duty and there isn't going to be any back-down. But the sensational striker is also mindful of his duty to the club and is reluctant to be tagged the latest in the club-vs-country row that has roped in several African stars in Europe.

Kallon apparently did not come Wednesday and the only date left now is Friday. Meanwhile, the Senegalese refs for the match have all arrived and the Ghanaian team are expected Thursday evening aboard Ghana Airways.

Ghanaian newspapers have been rallying support for the team. Suddenly, it is believed in Ghana, that the Black Stars still have a mathematical chance of qualifying especially with the Super Eagles slump.

Therefore the Black Stars will be going all out for a victory. Already buoyed by their 5-0 win over hitherto lowly rated Leone Stars, the visitors would hope to reenact the same magic.

However, the Leone Stars rating has shot up dramatically and any team that take Leone Stars for a ride do so at their own peril.

Some foreign-based players are already in camp including Lansana A.Toronka (Bosnia), Mustapha Sama and Francis Koroma (Sweden), Bobson Sesay (Canada), John Trye (USA) and John Keister ( England). A foreign- based player Mamadu A. Bah (China) is expected in Camp Thursday. The humiliation of the Super Eagles now means anything can still happen.