Sierra Leone Former Captain Lamin Conteh fondly called Junior Tumbu will be laid to rest on Sunday at the Kissy Road Cemetery according to the Conteh family. Lamin Conteh Junior Tumbu passed away on 5th May 2022 in Kenema after a short illness at the Kenema Government Hospital in the Eastern District of the Country. The pass away of Junior Tumbu came as a shock to many Sierra Leonean because and could be remembered for his contributions to the Country Football in the 80s and 90s.
Later Jrn. Tumbu started his footballing career from the Community level to the Premier League, the National team Leone Stars, and the International stage he played for many clubs out in and out of Sierra Leone before coming back home.
He was part of the backroom staffs of the National team that went to the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Many Sierra Leonean considers Lamin Conteh as one of the most successful Legends in the Country’s footballing history due to his many laurels for both clubs and the national team, and key among he was part of the squad that won the 1995 Zone two Amilcar Cup Cabral Trophy, West Africa Union Cup (WAFU) and in 1996 they also defended the trophy in Mauritania.
Lamin Conteh Junior Tumbu is known for his master’s class dribbling skills, accuracy in passing skills, running skills, and the ability to score classics goals on the pitch of play. It is belief of many sport pundits that the late Legend can make the difference at any point in time in the field of play.
He is kind hearted, generous and believe in strong family bond. Before his death he bought a house for his mother’s apparently from his income as a professional player abroad. But it was on the dusty fields of junior leagues at the Wellington Community center and the Approved School where many people started seeing the wizardry and brilliance of the young Tumbu.
He got his nickname owing to his David-like size while playing against the Goliath-looking giants. He was a performer on the field of play. He feared no one, not even Abedi Pele of Ghana also known as the African Maradonna and the only player who has won the Africa Player of the Year award three consecutive times (1991-93), and the Cameroonian Captain, Stephen Tataw, notwithstanding their Italia 90 performance at the World Cup.
According to past players, Tumbu held Abedi Pele at bay. He outclassed and outmaneuvered the former Ghanaian captain to the delight of spectators that they quickly coined a song, “Tumbu Card Abedi, Abedi fordom.” Pissa -Abedi Pele, e gari don done, go Ghana”.
According to Mohamed Kallon, the CEO of FC Kallon Football club, one of the players that played alongside Lamin Conteh Junior Tumbu said he is one of the players that Sierra Leone can always boost of during his playing time and he is yet to be replaced in the national up to date.
He added that three of us namely, Junior Tumbu, Junior Parade, Amidu Karim and myself where the best players in 1996 Africa Cup of Nations outing in South Africa and that squad is yet to be replaced, Lamin death is a great loss to me and the nation the young players need them around for mentorship to continue from where we stop in the national team.
Whereas, Junior Parade in his tribute said he and the late Legend were considered twins during the pitch of play because of the massive understanding between them. He said Tumbu is a true legend that will be missed for his contribution toward transforming football in this Country and will always be remembered by all Sierra Leonean.
Ibrahim Nylenkeh the Minister of Sports in his tribute said he was lost for words when he heard that the Lamin Conteh has passed away, his contribution to the country football during his playing days is countless, and that the Ministry of Sports is going to partner with the SLFA to give the late man a befitting burial because he is a Legend.
The World governing body FIFA in a letter addressed to the SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima, President Infantino described the former Sierra Leone national team Captain as, “one of the greatest Leone Stars players, his loyalty and his human qualities will not be forgotten, and he will be truly missed.” The letter further states that “on behalf of the International football Community ‘ wish to extend our deepest Condolence to the Sierra Leone Football Association and most important to the Lamin Conteh Family, Friends, and loved ones”.
Finally, the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association Thomas Daddy Brima on behalf of the Executive members of the Football fraternity express their heartfelt condolence to the entire family and friends, and pray that the family gain the strength and courage to overcome this moment of extreme grief.
