# Alhaji Kamara

Alhaji Kamara (born 16 April 1994) is a Sierra Leonean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Portuguese side C.D. Mafra, on loan from Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland, and the Sierra Leone national team.

## Club career
### FC Kallon

He started his professional career at FC Kallon in the Sierra Leone National First Division. At a young age, he had trials with Tippeligaen club Fredrikstad FK and Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. Eventually he was signed by Swedish club Djurgårdens IF just after turning 18 years old. Kamara failed to make an impact at Djurgårdens IF, and instead enjoyed loan spells to IK Frej and IFK Värnamo.

### IFK Norrköping

Before the 2014 season, he was signed by IFK Norrköping, where he positioned himself as a key player during his first season. On 31 March 2015, Kamara was loaned out to Malaysia's Super League champion, Johor Darul Ta'zim from IFK Norrköping.
However, the loan was cancelled in July 2015. He returned to Norrköping, and featured fourteen times as the team won the league.

### D.C. United

Kamara signed for D.C. United on 11 May 2016. Kamara scored with his first touch in his debut for D.C. United just seconds after coming on against Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park. His goal was the difference, as United went on to win the match 1–0. During his time with United's USL affiliate, the Richmond Kickers, he scored a hat-trick on 27 May 2017.

### Al-Taawoun

On 23 June 2017 Kamara signed with Al-Taawoun.

### Sheriff Tiraspol

On 2 February 2018, Kamara signed for Sheriff Tiraspol.

### Vendsyssel

After one year in the club, he moved to Danish Superliga club Vendsyssel FF on 19 February 2019.

### Randers

On 15 May 2019 it was confirmed, that Kamara would join Randers FC for the 2019–20 season on a free transfer.

### Midtjylland

On 1 February 2024, Kamara joined FC Midtjylland on a two-year deal. After just 4 games in the Midtjylland shirt, the club confirmed on 2 September 2024 that Kamara joined Portuguese C.D. Mafra on a loan deal for the 2024-25 season.

## International career

Alhaji Kamara honours his first selection with the Sierra Leone national team on 29 February 2012, against São Tomé and Príncipe. He immediately became apparent by scoring his first goal, however, he could not prevent his team's defeat on the score of two goals to one.
On 13 October 2015, he scored his second goal, against Chad. This game won 2-1 is part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification. He then didn't playing with the selection for five years. For his return, on 13 November 2020, he was the author of a double against Nigeria, allowing his team to play a tie 4-4.
In January 2022, Kamara was selected by coach John Keister to participate in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

## Personal life

In February 2016, it was reported that Kamara had a potential heart condition that could have ended his professional career, leading to his indefinite suspension from playing football. Kamara was evaluated by MLS cardiologist consultant Matthew Martinez, a specialist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. After rigorous testing, it was determined that Kamara's condition was not a threat, and he was medically cleared to resume his professional career. He subsequently joined D.C. United in Major League Soccer, with the agreement that he would undergo preventative medical tests at the end of each season.

## Career statistics

    As of 12 May 2016.
| Club | Season | League | League | Cup | Cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Djurgårdens IF | 2012 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 |
| IK Frej | 2013 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 17 | 3 |
| IFK Värnamo | 2013 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 11 | 8 |
| IFK Norrköping | 2014 | 26 | 10 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 10 |
| Johor Darul Ta'zim | 2015 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 1 |
| IFK Norrköping | 2015 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 18 | 9 |
| IFK Norrköping | 2016 | 26 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 12 |
| IFK Norrköping | Total | 40 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 21 |
| D.C. United | 2016 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 1 |
| Career total | Career total | 82 | 26 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 34 |

### International goals

    Scores and results list Sierra Leone's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 29 February 2012 | Estádio Nacional 12 de Julho, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe | São Tomé and Príncipe | 1–0 | 1–2 | 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 2. | 13 October 2015 | Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Nigeria | Chad | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3. | 13 November 2020 | Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Nigeria | Nigeria | 2–4 | 4–4 | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 4. | 13 November 2020 | Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Nigeria | Nigeria | 4–4 | 4–4 | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 5. | 16 January 2022 | Japoma Stadium, Douala, Cameroon | Ivory Coast | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations |

## Honours

IFK Norrköping
* Allsvenskan: 2015
Randers
* Danish Cup: 2020–21