His first African Cup of Nations match, he will remember it for a long time, like his opponents and those who were ahead of the Algeria-Sierra Leone match on Tuesday 11 January. The Fennecs, ultra favorites on paper, conceded a draw (0-0) against a combative team and a providential goalkeeper, then unknown to the general public, Mohamed Nbalie Kamara.
After his professional debut at FC Johansen in 2016, the goalkeeper with an eccentric style of play revealed himself in 2018-2019 after his transfer to the East End Lions, his current club, still in Sierra Leone. “After leaving FC Johansen where he was second goalkeeper, he immediately established himself as a starter for the East End Lions“, tells franceinfo: sport Seima Camara, editor for the media Sierra Sports.
For this local championship specialist, “Kamara is the best goalkeeper in the Sierra Leone Premier League in the last three years“. In 2019, the East End Lions won the national title and their goalkeeper set a new record for the most clean sheets (games without conceding goals): 14, in 24 games.
It is also in this club that the goalkeeper earns his nickname: “Fabianski”, named after the former Polish goalkeeper of Arsenal, today at West Ham, Lukasz Fabianski. A nickname given to differentiate the… three Mohamed Kamara of the East End Lions. The other two are nicknamed “Fabregas” and “Mahrez”, the Algerian striker, powerless in front of the Sierra Leonean goalkeeper on Tuesday.
Thanks to his performances, Mohamed Kamara, elected best goalkeeper of the 2018-2019 season in his league, obtained his first selection cap, in November 2019 against Benin, at the age of 20. And the doorman does not take long to establish himself as a holder in the cages of his selection.
“Before and during the game, he has this ability to communicate with everyone in the team and pushes us to get a good result”
Yeami DuniaFranceinfo:sport
His club and national team-mate, Yeami Dunia, is full of praise for him. Off the pitch, Kamara is “a funny guy and very attached to religion“He’s also a teammate.”full of qualities“, he says to franceinfo: sport, “before and during the match, he has this ability to communicate with everyone in the team and pushes us to achieve a good result“.
If the Sierra Leone goalkeeper is a strong element, it is also based on his technical qualities. Dumia describes a reassuring keeper who allows the team “to get results thanks to his incredible saves.”
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It is these technical qualities that we have seen against Algeria. Kamara has evolved into a true libero goalkeeper role, which has earned him comparison with German keeper Manuel Neuer on social media. Chaining outings, more or less risky, more or less conventional, he has made his penalty area a no-go zone for opposing players.
In addition to his outings, the Sierra Leonean goalkeeper made seven saves without conceding a goal, unheard of since 2015 in the competition. From the height of his eighty-seven meter, he exudes real confidence in his interventions and on his goal line.
A favorite of social networks after his match against Algeria, the goalkeeper will find himself in the spotlight on Sunday against Côte d’Ivoire, with many expectations from the spectators. A little more pressure for the young goalkeeper who will be keen to show his talent again.
The first goalkeeper #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 to have won the TotalEnergies Player of the Match!
Hooked by Mohamed Kamara the goalkeeper of #TeamSierraLeone! #CAN2021 | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/gbu57OBI2A
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 – FR (@caf_online_FR) January 11, 2022
The CAN is a very popular competition and Mohamed Nbalie Kamara could catch the eye of some recruiters if he continues his prowess in his goal. A golden opportunity for this player who plays in a championship with very little media coverage. But whatever happens in the rest of the competition, “Fabianski” will have written his name in the history of the CAN thanks to this memorable performance.