Kei Kamara reportedly flew back to the United States on Sunday for club duties, ending his return to international football earlier than expected. The 40-year-old made a purposeful return to the national side after two-and-a-half-year in retirement to help Sierra Leone qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. 

Kamara told the BBC that his return to international football was inspired by Cameroonian Legend, Roger Milla. Milla, till date, holds the record of the oldest outfield player to have featured in a World Cup match, at age 42. 

Kamara’s hopes of featuring at the 2025 AFCON shattered on Friday as Zambia clinched the remaining qualifying spot in Group G. The Chipolopolo defeated Cote D’ Ivoire by a goal to nil to go top of the group. This means when they meet with Leone Stars on Tuesday, both sides will only be honouring the fixture.

Leone Stars have now missed out on qualifying for a second consecutive AFCON. Some players have already left the camp with a fixture to go. 

On Saturday, the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) announced that the team captain Steven Caulker had left the camp “due to urgent personal matters…”

Despite the skipper’s departure, head coach Amidu Karim said the team was “focused on delivering a positive result for Sierra Leone.” Unfortunately, the result will be no more than a consolation should Leone Stars secure a win.

Kei Kamara (left) and Roger Milla (right)
Photo credits: Getty Images

Disappointment for Kei Kamara

Kamara’s career with Los Angeles FC is eventful, which is his eleventh Major League Soccer club. He has  become the second all-time highest MLS goalscorer. He recently helped his side secure an historic US Open Cup triumph. 

Kamara was hoping to do the same thing with the national side. 

“Joining a team like Los Angeles FC this season, and having so much success, and making a couple more histories in America, and everybody just keeps asking, ‘Why are you retiring? Why can’t you be here when you’re doing this much in MLS?’

This push by teammates returned Kamara to international duty but he could only play one match in the AFCON qualifiers.

He may return to help the national side in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Leone Stars are currently five points adrift off Group Leaders Egypt and will need to finish first for a spot in the finals or second for an intercontinental playoff.

This may offer Kamara a last international showdown should the country make it past this stage.

Kei Kamara training with the Leone Stars Photo credits: Sierra Leone Football Association

“…let that man go!”

Although people have welcomed Kamara’s return, some Sierra  Leoneans feel it didn’t help Leone Stars. 

“SLFA had no reason to call Kei back,” said Delvid Stanley-Coker on Facebook “Develop new talents and let that man go.”

“At this point, his presence didn’t create any impact,” said Malikie Daboh, another Facebook user.

Kamara credits his long career to a healthy living.  I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t smoke, I didn’t put anything illegal in my body,” he said.

“When I spend time in Sierra Leone, I’m always doing a lot of distance running, keeping myself fit.”

Since his debut in 2008, he has made 40 appearances, scoring seven goals. He also featured in one major competition, the 2021 AFCON. After which, he announced the second retirement he has come out from following the one in 2019.