Footballer Musa Tombo's support grows beyond Sierra Leone

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson

Even though his nation’s 2023-TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nation in Cote D’Ivoire was shattered by their Nigerian on Sunday, Leone Stars and Bo Rangers forward Musa Noah “Tombo” remains by far the most popular player from his nation. Kamara who’s soon to clock 23 on August 6 this year became the fans center of attraction at the SKD-Stadium in Monrovia when he replaced Mustapha Bundu during Sierra Leone’s must-win AFCON 2023 qualifier match against Nigeria despite his side bowing 3-2 to the visitors.

Liberians, Nigerians among other spectators including President George Weah, a former Lone Star skipper and World Best Player enjoined Sierra Leoneans to cheer up the 22-year-old talismanic goal-machine. As if that was not enough, fans led by a teenager identified as one of the admirers of Musa “Tombo” jumped over the perimeter fence and hugged the player for photographs.

From different angles in the stadium fans were shouting the football’s name in anticipation for a handshake as if the player’s national confidence of grabbing a ticket from their group in the qualifier to compete in the AFCON 2023 had not ended on the day. Speaking to Awoko Newspaper briefly about how he felt being celebrated and about his country’s being knocked out from the AFCON qualifiers Kamara replied with a broad smile on his face saying “I feel honored but sad that we’ve been knocked out painfully. I see this as the will of God, and a signal that our nation’s future is bright.” However, the player didn't answer the question about what he thinks actually: his unique soccer skills or his famous interactional transfers or marital contrivances, is responsible for his growing popularity even beyond? (C): Awoko Newspaper - alusinerehme.wilson@awokonewspaper.sl