Sierra Leone striker Kei Kamara has announced his retirement from international football just before the start of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, citing long-standing frustrations with the national team’s management. The Leone Stars forward, who has been part of the national setup since 2008, criticized the lack of progress and the absence of a structured pathway from youth teams to the senior squad.
“I have been in the national team since 2008 and there has been no progress, no plan regarding the direction from the youth selections to the A team. The local players are not at the training camp. They come to train every morning before the match against Lesotho without eating at home,” Kamara said, highlighting the organizational issues that have persisted for years.
The striker also expressed concern for his teammates, emphasizing that players should feel valued when representing their country. “I made this decision for all the national team players who aren’t being treated properly. Players should always be happy when they play for the national team. They should be treated specially, but there’s nothing. It’s like a punishment when you’re on the national team. It affects me deeply because the players make great sacrifices on the pitch,” he added.
Kamara, the fifth-highest scorer in Major League Soccer history with 123 goals, has previously stepped away from the national team in October 2005, though he had returned since then. This latest decision, however, appears to be definitive.
His departure is a significant blow for Sierra Leone, who are already struggling in the qualifiers with just one point from two games. The loss of a player of Kamara’s experience and scoring ability leaves a gap in the squad, raising questions about the team’s ability to compete effectively in the remaining qualification matches. With the qualifiers underway, the Leone Stars now face the challenge of regrouping without one of their key stars.
