Alhaji Kamara

Alhaji Kamara
Kamara with IFK Norrköping in 2014
Personal information
Full name Alhaji Kamara
Date of birth (1994-04-16) 16 April 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Freetown, Sierra Leone
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Mafra (on loan from Midtjylland)
Number 45
Youth career
Belvic United
FC Kallon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 FC Kallon 31 (13)
2012 → Djurgårdens IF (loan) 5 (0)
2013 → IK Frej (loan) 14 (2)
2013 → IFK Värnamo (loan) 10 (6)
2014–2016 IFK Norrköping 40 (16)
2015 → Johor Darul Ta'zim (loan) 4 (1)
2016–2017 D.C. United 9 (1)
2017 → Richmond Kickers (loan) 9 (4)
2017–2018 Al-Taawoun 14 (5)
2018–2019 Sheriff Tiraspol 14 (9)
2019 Vendsyssel 8 (4)
2019–2024 Randers 82 (22)
2024– Midtjylland 3 (0)
2024– → Mafra (loan) 0 (0)
International career‡
2012– Sierra Leone 11 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 01:07, 17 January 2022 (UTC)

Alhaji Kamara (born 16 April 1994) is a Sierra Leonean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Portuguese side C.D. Mafra, on loan from Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland, and the Sierra Leone national team.

Club career

He started his professional career at FC Kallon in the Sierra Leone National First Division. At a young age, he had trials with Tippeligaen club Fredrikstad FK and Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. Eventually he was signed by Swedish club Djurgårdens IF just after turning 18 years old.[1]

Kamara failed to make an impact at Djurgårdens IF, and instead enjoyed loan spells to IK Frej and IFK Värnamo. Before the 2014 season, he was signed by IFK Norrköping, where he positioned himself as a key player during his first season. On 31 March 2015, Kamara was loaned out to Malaysia's Super League champion, Johor Darul Ta'zim from IFK Norrköping.[2]

However, the loan was cancelled in July 2015.[3] He returned to Norrköping, and featured fourteen times as the team won the league.

Kamara signed for D.C. United on 11 May 2016.[4] Kamara scored with his first touch in his debut for D.C. United just seconds after coming on against Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park. His goal was the difference, as United went on to win the match 1–0.[5] During his time with United's USL affiliate, the Richmond Kickers, he scored a hat-trick on 27 May 2017.[6]

On 23 June 2017 Kamara signed with Al-Taawoun.[7]

On 2 February 2018, Kamara signed for Sheriff Tiraspol.[8] After one year in the club, he moved to Danish Superliga club Vendsyssel FF on 19 February 2019.[9][10] On 15 May 2019 it was confirmed, that Kamara would join Randers FC for the 2019–20 season on a free transfer.[11]

On 1 February 2024, Kamara joined FC Midtjylland on a two-year deal.[12] After just 4 games in the Midtjylland shirt, the club confirmed on 2 September 2024 that Kamara joined Portuguese C.D. Mafra on a loan deal for the 2024-25 season.[13]

Personal life

In February 2016, it was reported that Kamara had a potential heart condition that could have ended his professional career, leading to his indefinite suspension from playing football.[14] Kamara was evaluated by MLS cardiologist consultant Matthew Martinez, a specialist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.[15] After rigorous testing, it was determined that Kamara's condition was not a threat, and he was medically cleared to resume his professional career. He subsequently joined D.C. United in Major League Soccer, with the agreement that he would undergo preventative medical tests at the end of each season.[16][15]

Career statistics

As of 12 May 2016.[17]
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Djurgårdens IF 2012 5 0 1 0 — 6 0
IK Frej 2013 14 2 3 1 — 17 3
IFK Värnamo 2013 10 6 1 2 — 11 8
IFK Norrköping 2014 26 10 3 0 — 29 10
Johor Darul Ta'zim 2015 4 1 0 0 — 4 1
IFK Norrköping 2015 14 6 4 3 — 18 9
2016 26 10 4 2 0 0 30 12
Total 40 16 8 5 0 0 48 21
D.C. United 2016 9 1 0 0 — 9 1
Career total 82 26 13 8 0 0 95 34

International goals

Scores and results list Sierra Leone's goal tally first.[17]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 29 February 2012 Estádio Nacional 12 de Julho, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe  São Tomé and Príncipe 1–0 1–2 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2. 13 October 2015 Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Nigeria  Chad 1–1 2–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3. 13 November 2020 Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Nigeria  Nigeria 2–4 4–4 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
4. 4–4 4–4
5. 16 January 2022 Japoma Stadium, Douala, Cameroon  Ivory Coast 2–2 2–2 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

Honours

IFK Norrköping

Randers

References

  1. ^ "Kamanor och Kamara nya inslag i DIF". Djurgårdens IF. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  2. ^ "Kamara lämnar – flyttar till Malaysia". Aftonbladet. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Alhaji Kamara återvänder till Norrköping · IFK Norrköping". Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  4. ^ Murray, Caitlin (11 May 2016). "DC United sign 22-year-old Sierra Leone international striker Alhaji Kamara". MLS. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. ^ Castillo, Arielle (30 May 2016). "Alhaji Kamara's goal on D.C. United debut sets MLS records". MLS. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Alhaji Kamara named to USL TOTW after hat trick in Richmond". 30 May 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  7. ^ Bromley, Ben (23 June 2017). "Alhaji Kamara signs with Al-Taawoun FC". Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Добро пожаловать, Альхаджи". fc-sheriff.com (in Russian). FC Sheriff Tiraspol. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  9. ^ VENDSYSSEL FF TILKNYTTER ALHAJI KAMARA, vendsysselff.dk, 19 February 2019
  10. ^ Barrie, Mohamed Fajah (23 February 2019). "Alhaji Kamara: Sierra Leone forward hopes to resurrect career in Denmark". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  11. ^ Officielt: Randers snupper Kamara, bold.dk, 15 May 2019
  12. ^ FC MIDTJYLLAND HENTER ALHAJI KAMARA, fcm.dk, 1 February 2024
  13. ^ Alhaji Kamara tager på leje i Mafra, fcm.dk, 2 September 2024
  14. ^ "Heart issue halts Alhaji Kamara's season". BBC Sport. 27 February 2016. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Alhaji Kamara's return to soccer". DC United. 24 May 2016. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Sierra Leone's Alhaji Kamara cleared to play after heart tests". BBC Sport. 11 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Alhaji Kamara". soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 12 May 2016.