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Milla my inspiration – Kamara on comeback at 40

A spit image of Kei Kamara, wearing a black LA FC shirt with gold pinstripes and detailing, and Roger Milla celebrating a goal for Cameroon in a green shirt with a number nine on the chestGetty Images

Kei Kamara (left) hopes to emulate Roger Milla - the oldest goalscorer at a Fifa World Cup - by playing at a major international tournament in his 40s

John Bennett & Ian Williams
BBC World Service

Kei Kamara says his decision to return to international football at the age of 40 was inspired by Cameroon legend Roger Milla.

Kamara was aiming to help Sierra Leone qualify for next year's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), and played 76 minutes in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Chad.

However, the Leone Stars' hopes of reaching next year’s finals in Morocco were ended after Zambia subsequently secured the remaining qualification spot in Group G.

The forward, who made his debut in 2008, has now played 40 matches for his country, scoring seven goals - but has only ever played at one major international tournament, the 2021 Nations Cup.

In comparison, Milla played at four editions of Afcon, winning two, and three Fifa World Cups.

He still holds the record as the oldest outfield player and goalscorer at a World Cup, netting against Russia at the 1994 finals at the age of 42 years and 39 days, having previously come out of retirement aged 38 to play at the tournament in 1990.

"There's only one person I think about when I decided to come do this thing all over again, being part of the national team at this age, and that's Roger Milla," Kamara told the BBC World Service.

"Roger Milla was doing it, came back out, played at the World Cup at 42.

"The World Cup is only two years ago away, so why not">