March 17, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jnr.
Former Chelsea youngster, Aziz Deen-Conteh, has been recalled to the Sierra Leone national team, Leone Stars, squad ahead of their 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Gabon and the international friendly encounter with Malawi.
The 23-year-old left back is one of 12 out of the 15 invited foreign based players who have already confirmed their participation in Coach Sellas Tetteh’s squad for the upcoming matches.
Deen-Conteh was first called-up to the Sierra Leone national team in March 2013 by former Swedish Coach Lars Olof Mattsson for the World Cup qualifying match against Tunisia. However, the former Ergotelis defender was unable to play after it was learnt that his Sierra Leonean passport had expired.
Two months later, the left-back was again invited by Irish Coach Johnny McKinstry for the Cape Verde match, but he was again unable to make his debut after the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) did not seek clearance from FIFA as the player represented England at U-16, U-19 & U-20 levels.
The defender, who few months back ended a frustrating 14 months spell at Port Vale, is now set to make his debut for Sierra Leone under the Ghanaian tactician.
Serbia based striker, Mustapha ‘Haji’ Bangura, and new Latvia Virsliga heavyweight Riga FC recruit, John Kamara, were also recalled to the squad.
Sierra Leone will first host Malawi in an international friendly match on 22 March at the National Stadium in Freetown before traveling to Libreville for their first leg tie against The Panthers of Gabon on 25 March at the Franceville Stadium.
Three days later, the two sides will again face each other for the return leg in Freetown.