By: alusinerehme.wilson@awokonewspapersl.com
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Sierra Leone’s national football hopes have received a significant boost with the emergence of 18-year-old Mamadou Wurie Jalloh, a Denmark-based goalkeeper who has shown exceptional promise on the international stage.
Jalloh was instrumental in Sierra Leone’s historic debut at the 2025 TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt. Representing the Shooting Stars, Sierra Leone’s U-20 team, Jalloh played in four of the team’s five matches, helping them reach the quarterfinals in a spirited campaign.
Born on November 26, 2006, the dual national (Sierra Leonean and Danish) stood tall between the posts as the Shooting Stars navigated a tough Group A. Jalloh’s composure and command of his area helped Sierra Leone earn a goalless draw against Zambia, a stunning 4-1 win over host nation Egypt, and a narrow 1-0 victory over Tanzania. The team finished second in the group with seven points—level with Egypt but behind on goal difference.
In the quarterfinal clash against Morocco, Jalloh once again showed his class. Despite his heroics, Sierra Leone bowed out of the tournament after conceding a heartbreaking own goal in the 115th minute of extra time, losing 1-0.
Across 390 minutes of tournament play, Jalloh made 16 saves from 18 shots faced, kept two clean sheets, and conceded just two goals—one of which was the late own goal in the quarterfinal.
His performances have sparked optimism for the future of Sierra Leone’s senior national team, the Leone Stars. Calm under pressure and technically sound, Jalloh is being widely tipped as the next big thing in Sierra Leonean goalkeeping.
At the club level, Jalloh plays for Brøndby IF’s U-19 team in Denmark. He joined the club on July 1, 2024, and recently extended his contract until June 30, 2026. Before his promotion to the U-19s, he was part of Brøndby’s U-17 squad that won the Danish U-17 Cup during the 2023/24 season.
In his debut U-19 campaign, Jalloh featured in nine matches in the Danish U-19 Boys League, recording three clean sheets and conceding 14 goals over 810 minutes of play.
With his blend of international experience and European youth training, Mamadou Wurie Jalloh is poised to become a key figure for Sierra Leone as the nation gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa qualifiers.
His emergence marks a new chapter for Sierra Leonean football—one filled with potential, resilience, and renewed hope between the posts. ARW/14/5/2025
