I Didn’t go to AFCON to Play 35-Minute – Leone Stars Forward, Issa Kallon Blasts Keister For Benching Him

Leone Stars Winger, Issa Kallon has expressed bitter sweet experience with the Sierra National team’s Participation in AFCON 2021.

Kallon (born 3 January 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for SC Cambuur in the Dutch Eredivisie. Born in The Netherlands, he represents the Sierra Leone national team

Born in the Netherlands, Kallon is of Sierra Leonean descent. He is a former youth international for the Netherlands. With very few chances to represent the Netherlands, he can still opt for Sierra Leone for whom he was selected for the first time in October 2021. Kallon was included in the Sierra Leone squad for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations

Kallon made his Sierra Leone debut in one of the biggest stages in Cameroon as Sierra Leone  fought for a 2-2 draw against  Ivory Coast  and was instrumental from the word go on his first international match for Leone Stars.

The  midfield maestro had frustrating time watching from the bench in the goalless draw against  Algeria at the Japoma stadium in Douala on January 11.

Match day three kallon was subbed and introduced in  the Second half of play against Equatorial Guinea. He created an upset for the Equatorial Guinea defence that led to a penalty for Leone Stars.

“l am pleased to be part of a great squad, but playing time was not a lot”, Issa Kallon told FSL News in Douala.

“I didn’t expect going to AFCON and only played 35-minute. I am doing well in the Dutch Top-tier in Holland, and for me to sit on the bench everyday was very difficult”

“I know I can help the team get a better result like in the last game when I came on won a penalty. I just had the feeling the coach was not really aware of my qualities to give such small game time. But, I am happy that in those small minutes, I was able to show myself to my team, the coach and my country Sierra Leone of what I am capable of.”, he concluded.