Kei Kamara Bows Out: A Glorious Chapter Ends for Sierra Leone’s Football Legend

October 12, 2025, marked an emotional farewell for Sierra Leone’s national football team as captain Kei Kamara played his final match for the Leone Stars against Djibouti. The atmosphere was filled with tears and gratitude as teammates, fans, and officials celebrated the man who has been the face of Sierra Leonean football for over a decade.

Kamara, Sierra Leone’s all-time top goalscorer, took to Facebook to confirm his final bow, writing:

Born in Kenema, Kei Kamara’s journey from local pitches to international stardom is a story of resilience, determination, and national pride. Since making his debut for Sierra Leone in 2008, he went on to make over 30 appearances, scoring crucial goals including the historic strike that sent Sierra Leone to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, their first appearance at the continental showpiece since 1996.

While his national team contributions cemented his place in Sierra Leone’s football history, Kamara’s club career also defined him as one of Africa’s most accomplished exports. In Major League Soccer (MLS), he became the second-highest all-time goalscorer with over 147 goals, earning a place in the MLS Best XI (2015) and finishing as runner-up for the MVP award that same year.

Augustus Kargbo ( R ), Kei Kamara ( L )

Beyond the numbers, Kei Kamara inspired countless young Sierra Leoneans to believe that success can be achieved through hard work and humility. His passion for the game, leadership on and off the pitch, and his enduring connection to home made him more than just a footballer he became a symbol of hope for a generation.

As the final whistle blew in his farewell match, emotions ran high. Players embraced him, fans chanted his name, and the nation paid tribute to a man whose legacy transcends football.

Kei Kamara, the kid from Kenema who dreamed big, wore the Green, White, and Blue with pride, and gave Sierra Leonean football one of its greatest eras.