By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

For the first time in the history of his football career as Leone Stars player, Osman Jovan Kakay was named Leone Stars captain against Guinea Bissau match on Monday 11th September, 2023 at the Estadio Nacional de Guinea Bissau.

Born on 25 August, 1997 Kakay is a Sierra Leonean professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers.

The announcement was made by Head Coach John Keister after a critical technical meeting on Sunday evening at the dressing room in CEIBA Hotel.

Kakay made his international debut for Sierra Leone on 9/09/2018 against Ethiopia in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

In December 2021,Kakay was named in the Sierra Leone squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations as the nation prepared for their first appearance at the competition since 1996.

Kakay played the full ninety minutes of his side’s opening match as they held one of the pre-tournament favourites and holders Algeria to a goalless draw.

Unfortunately, the national men’s team was unable to qualify for AFCON 2025 nation’s cup in Ivory Coast. According to football pundits across the country, many have expressed dismay and regret on the woeful performance of the players in this year’s campaign. Huge taxpayers’ monies was spent in a bid to put smiles on football lovers at home and aboard, different schools of thought believe that 90% of Leone Stars players are unfit to play top flight soccer in Europe like Premier League in England, Spanish League, League One in France. Majority are playing conference league while others are playing non division leagues.