By Matt Le Cren
Naperville North’s Hindo Allie missed nearly a week of classes, a game and several practices while he was out of town.
But the senior midfielder had an excellent excuse to give Huskies coach Jim Konrad.
“He called me and said, ‘Hey, coach, I’ve got great news. Bad news is I’m going to miss a couple games, but great news is that I get to play for my country,’” Konrad said. “So we’re all so pumped for him.”
Allie was called up to play for Sierra Leone in the U18 African Nations Cup UK, which began last weekend in London. Sierra Leone didn’t advance out of the group stage, but Allie played against Congo and Zimbabwe, contributing a goal against Zimbabwe.
“It was a lot just being able to represent my country and my school,” he said. “It was definitely one of the most special moments of my academic and athletic career.”
Konrad was impressed, to say the least.
“It’s so awesome,” Konrad said. “To be chosen, then to play and then score a goal. How many people in the world can say they scored for their country? It couldn’t happen to a better kid.”
Allie then scored a goal Thursday in his return to Naperville North, which beat South Elgin 6-1 in the Best of the West Tournament. Junior forward Noah Radeke assisted on that goal.
“I’ve never played with anyone who’s been on a national team,” Radeke said. “It’s good to know that he’s representing his country and our high school.
“He’s a great player. I’ve been lucky to play with Hindo for the second season now.”
Allie was eligible to compete for Sierra Leone because his father, Emmanuel, and mother, Kadiatu, were born and raised in Sierra Leone before immigrating to the United States in the 1990s.
Allie was born in the U.S. but holds dual citizenship and often visits Sierra Leone, where most of his relatives live. His father works for the education ministry in Sierra Leone and spends most of his time there, Allie said.
“He only started doing that maybe four years ago,” Allie said. “He comes home when he can. It’s tough, but it’s all right.”
Allie first got the news of his call-up in May.
“I have an uncle that’s part of the recruiting, and I got scouted during the high school season,” Allie said. “The process took about a year. They watched full games, we sent clips and I eventually got the call to go to London.”
After scoring on a free kick in the Huskies’ season-opening 5-2 loss to West Chicago on Aug. 22, Allie flew to London, where he spent five days practicing and playing at West Ham’s training facility.
The Huskies were scheduled to play three games during his absence, but two were canceled.
According to Konrad, Allie is the second Naperville North player to see action in international competition. He joins Will Johnson, who played his freshman year for the Huskies and later was the captain for the Canadian national team and had a long professional career in MLS.
Konrad said the Huskies (2-1) are lucky to have a player like Allie, who was the team’s defensive midfielder last season and is taking on an expanded offensive role as well as being a co-captain.
“He’s just so physically gifted,” Konrad said. “He’s somebody who covers a ton of ground, and he’s so tough at 1v1 defensively.
“He’s strong enough to hold you off and fast enough to get by you, and he’s fearless. He’s got the complete package. Everybody loves him. He’s a special kid.”
Allie hasn’t gotten any college offers yet, but those figure to come soon. He has already been called up for another tournament in Sierra Leone in November, but he’s focused on his final high school season.
“Obviously, my leadership role has progressed a lot,” Allie said. “It’s meant a lot being able to be a leader for this fairly young team. I’m trying to move up the field and chip in with a few more goals and get some more assists for the team.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
Source: Soccer: Naperville’s Hindo Allie plays for Sierra Leone (chicagotribune.com)