If he plays for Sierra Leone in the Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Cameroon, Major League Soccer legend Kei Kamara will become the oldest player ever to represent the West African nation at the biggest stage of African football.

Kamara, who will be 37-years four months and ten days before Leone Stars take on Algeria, is one of Africa’s oldest players ever to grace the tournament after being named in coach John Kiester’s final squad.

Speaking to Football Sierra Leone on his potential Afcon debut, Kei Kamara said, “What a moment for our country to be participating in another African Cup of Nations since 96. I feel blessed to be part of this group of guys to represent our country in the biggest stage of African football. I hope we make our brother’s sisters mothers fathers proud.”

Retired keeper Osaio Marah was 33-year when he played in a goalless draw against Zambia on 29 March 1994. He was 35-year during the 1996 tournament but did not play in any Leone Stars games.

The Leone Stars will depart Sierra Leone on Thursday for Cameroon. They will open their campaign against reigning champions Algeria at the Japoma Stadium on 11 January Kick-off 13 hrs.

Kamara, who played 359 matches in the MLS, scoring 130 goals making 37 assists for eight different clubs, 19th-minute goal from the spot, at the General Lansana Conté Stadium in June 2021, guided Sierra Leone to the continental showpiece for the first time since 1996.

In Africa, Egypt retired goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary became the oldest player in the Africa Cup of Nations history, aged 44, to be featured in his country’s Group D opener against Mali in 2017 after he replaced Ahmed El-Shenawy.

Sierra Leone legend Mohamed Kallon became the youngest player to ever play for the Leone Stars. He was 16 years nine months, the youngest player at the 1996 African Nations cup in South Africa. He scored the Leone Stars winner in 2-1 over Burkina Faso 2–1 in their opening group match at the 1996 African Nations Cup, played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Shiva N’Zigou was 16 years and 93 days old when he played for  Gabon in a group stage match against  South Africa on 23 January 2000.

The Olembe Stadium will host the tournament opener between host Cameroon and Burkina Faso, runners-up of 2013 AFCON. The continental showpiece in Cameroon will run from January 9th to February 6th 2022. 

Six OLDEST PLAYERS IN THE 2019 AFCON

1. Keeper Naby Yattara (35 years) Guinea

2. Keeper Carlos Kameni (35 years) Cameroon

3. Aggrey Morris (35 years) Tanzania

4. Defender Jérémy Morel (35 years) Madagascar

5. StrikerStéphane Sessègnon (35 years) Benin

6.    Kelvin Yondan (34) Tanzania 

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