By Mohamed Fajah Barrie in Freetown
Defender Sheriff Suma has confirmed that he has retired from playing for Sierra Leone with immediate effect at the age of 29 years.
The former Kallon FC player currently based in Virginia, USA without a team says he decided to quit to concentrate on his club career.
“I have taken the tough decision to quit international football because I believe it’s the best for me.” Suma who can as well operates as left winger told Sierra Leone Football.com.
“I need to focus on my club career. I’m currently searching out for a club in US and I hope to soon get one.”
“It took me some time thinking about my international career. It’s a difficult decision to make but i just have to give younger players chance to continue where I have stopped.”
“I wish Leone Stars the best of luck and I pray that we defeat Ivory Coast and qualify for the 2017 Nations Cup finals.”
Suma’s last game for Sierra Leone was against Chad in N’jamena in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in October last year.
His international career with Leone Stars started in 2006 against Mali in Freetown in a 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier which ended goalless.
Suma went on to win over 30 caps, but was unfortunate not to play in a major tournament with the Leone Stars.
He said: “I regret a lot not playing a major tournament with Leone Stars.” “I really wanted to play the Nations Cup. We came close twice to qualify for the finals. We were knocked out by just a point from the 2012 finals.”
But it’s not the same story for Suma with the Sierra Leone U-17 national team Sierra Stars.
He was among players who qualified Sierra Stars to the 2003 CAF U-17 championship in Swaziland, but was dropped out for the finals.
Suma was recalled after the Swaziland finals, and was part of the team that represent Sierra Leone and Africa at the 2013 FIFA U-17 championship in Finland where they met Spain, USA and South Korea.
He started his club career with Gambian club Walidan before moving to Sierra Leone to play for local club Kallon FC.
Suma then moved to Sweden to play for several outfits Atvidaberg FF, GAIS, Syrianska and Jonkoping Sodra.
He also played in Norway for Haugusund, in Cyprus for Cyprus Ermis Araddipou and for Turkish club Kocaelispor before transfering to Azerbaijan to play for FK Revan.
Suma played briefly for another local club FC Johansen in 2012.