*Government Reaffirms Support for AfCON 2019, Mohamed Kallon to Coach Leone Stars*
*By Ranger*
Following Sierra Leone’s good showing resulting to the country being drawn alongside Ghana Black Stars, Kenya and Ethiopia for the AfCON qualifiers, the Deputy Minister of Sports, Ishmael Al-Sankoh Conteh has promised that the government of Sierra Leone is poised to give its fullest support to Leone Stars to participate in the qualifiers which start in June this year and ends in November 2018.
The Deputy Sports Minister recalled that Sierra Leone last participated in the continental big stage (AfCON) 21 years ago in South Africa in 1996, adding that it was here that Mohamed Kallon who is currently coaching a team in the USA, became the youngest player in the tournament and scored the winning goal for Sierra Leone in a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso.
“The government is willing to give all the necessary support to ensure we have early plan and mobilize the most qualified and best of our players without any bias. As a government, we are very confident that Sierra Leone will qualify for AfCON 2019 in Cameroon, we may take the first position in our group or qualify as best losers,” said Deputy Sports Minister, Al-Sankoh Conteh.
“I reiterate that we are optimistic that we have what it takes; Leone Stars winning all our home matches and taking points from away matches in Kenya, Ethiopia or Ghana,” the Deputy Minister said with passion.
Mohamed Kallon is considered a national and international football icon and idol by thousands of Sierra Leone youths having started playing football at a very tender age and emerging as a very professional, experienced and international star, thus making Sierra Leonean youths being delighted to follow in his footsteps.
His professional football player experience spanned 1994 – 2016. Below are highlights:
*Mohamed Kallon played for various quality European sides at the highest level in Italian soccer (Bologna, Genoa, Cagliari, Reggina and Vicenzo) most notable Serie A Giants, Internationalize Milan.
*Played French giants AS Monaco FC in League 1.
*He played for various clubs all over Europe and the world including Al-Ittihad, AEK Athens, Al-Shaab, FC Kallon, Shaanxi Chanba and Chirag United.
His professional experiences as a player in team accomplishment include:
*Winning the Asian Champions League with Al-Ittihad of Saudia Arabia in 2005;
*2002: UEFA Champions League semi-finalist versus AC Milan.
*2001 UEFA Cup semi-finalist versus Feyenoord Rotterdam.
His professional experience as a player: Individual honors are:
*2002 African Player of the Year; Runner-up; finishing third.
*2005 Top Scorer Asian Champions League tournament.
*Voted Best Player 2005 Asian Champions League Tournament.
Mohamed Kallon: Soccer Education:
License:
*Mohamed Kallon currently holds a UEFA “B” License.
*He was voted Serie A Tactical Player of the Year.
Coaching experience: He coached Houston Dynamo Academy from 2015 to present.
*Houston Dynamo Academy U14s.
*Current Dynamo trainer coaching U14 players developing in the pre-Dynamo Academy.
*Currently trains Houston Dynamo U14s.
*FC Kallon-Islanders Houston Football Association (HFA) 2014 to present.
*He is current head coach of Men’s League team, FC Kallon-Islanders that currently competes in the highest amateur level soccer league in Dynamo U15 and is U23 coach.
*Part of his duties includes conducting all training sessions, and adjusting tactics week by week for each game.
*He develops technical sessions to improve skills and awareness of players to transition their abilities into tactics to best contribute to the team.
*Mohamed Kallon coached FC Kallon’s premier division in Sierra Leone, Africa 2013-2014.
Asked about how confident he is to coach Leone Stars if appointed, Mohamed Kallon said he is confident he would do well because “as Soccer Coach Trainer & Developer and a former professional player and current coach he is currently seeking opportunity to obtain a USSD Coaching License to further educate myself in hopes to successfully educate, develop and improve players I work with,” adding that this would greatly assist him in developing the individual and team aspirations of the players who would eventually be selected for AfCON.”
Many youths across Sierra Leone are calling on the relevant authorities to appoint Mohamed Kallon as Coach of Leone Stars because they believe that he has what it takes to bring accolades to the country as most of the players have respect and trust in him.
“The government would be very wise in listening to the youths this time round,” said a prominent football promoter.
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