FIFA has approved a change of association for former England defender Steve Caulker, confirmed a top official of the Sierra Leone Football Association, who wanted to remain anonymous. 

As a result, Caulker, 29, presently playing for Gaziantep FK on loan from Fenerbahce, will be a boost to coach John Keister’s side.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool centre-back, who was part of the Leone Stars training camp in Morocco, is expected to be part of the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

In October, the former Queens Park Rangers defender was pleased after playing for the Leone Stars in a 2-1 defeat to Morocco homebased side.

“Playing for Sierra Leone became an obvious choice, an obvious decision,” Caulker said in an Interview. 

Caulker will turn 30 before the tournament starts on Jan. 9 in Cameroon. Sierra Leone is in a group with Algeria, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea.

Also, Greek top-tier side Panetolikos new acquisition Jonathan Morsay was approved to represent Sierra Leone. This was confirmed yesterday by the General Secretary of the SLFA, Chris Kamara. 

The Swedish-born, hailing from a Sierra Leonean parent, is presently injured. His injury has raised doubt about his fitness ahead of the Algeria game on January 11 2022.

Netherlands-born winger Issa Kallon also received the green light to represent Sierra Leone. He has played for Dutch youth sides. Kallon, who is trading with SC Cambuur, was part of the Leone Stars 2-1 friendly defeat to Morocco team B during training camp in October.

Sierra Leone is in Group E after reaching the tournament after 25-years following a 1-0 win over Benin on June 16 at Stade Général Lansana Conté de Nongo. 

The TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations is the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

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