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A new player identification program has enabled two Sierra Leonean footballers to move from the domestic league to top-flight football in Europe within six months.
Ibrahim Turay and Sallieu Bah are the first success stories from the initiative launched by Steven Caulker and Morlai B Kamara. Both players were scouted while working with the Sierra Leone national team. One year after featuring in the Sierra Leone Premier League, they are now competing at the highest domestic levels in Europe.
Turay signed for Stjarnan FC in the Iceland Premier League last September. He has made an immediate impact, featuring in eight matches, scoring three goals, and providing several assists.
Bah recently completed a move to Zorya Luhansk in the Ukrainian Premier League. He has already played a full 90 minutes and registered an assist in Zorya’s 4-0 victory.
The moves highlight two realities: Sierra Leone has abundant football talent, and effective scouting is essential to unlocking it. Many promising players remain overlooked because there is no reliable pathway to professional leagues abroad.
Beyond arranging transfers, the program has launched a mentoring system for Sierra Leonean players abroad. It provides weekly calls and meetings to help them adapt to European culture and professional expectations. Many homegrown players lack mentorship in areas such as mentality, lifestyle adjustment, and professional development.
The program delivers mental coaching and cultural orientation to help players improve resilience, decision-making, and daily routines required in professional clubs. The approach combines on-field scouting with off-field education.
The organizers said they will continue to identify, nurture, and mentor more Sierra Leonean talents with the aim of expanding their presence in European football.
