Whitecaps’ trio to play with national teams

VANCOUVER — A trio of Vancouver Whitecaps players are set to don the colours of their national teams next month.

Striker Kei Kamara has been named to Sierra Leone’s team and midfielder Aly Ghazal has been called up to play for Egypt.

Both countries are playing in qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations in early September, during the MLS international break.

Whitecaps captain Kendall Waston will also be on international duty over the break, playing for Costa Rica in a pair of friendlies against South Korea and Japan.

It will be the second time in 2018 that the 30-year-old defender dresses for the Ticos, following the team’s World Cup run in June. Waston netted a goal for Costa Rica in its last match of the tournament, a 2-2 draw with Switzerland.

Suiting up for your country is a lot of fun, said Kamara, who was born in Kenema, Sierra Leone.

“For me, every time I’ve been called up to represent Sierra Leone, it’s an honour,” he said. “And I can’t wait to join the guys, be out there. It’s a good laugh, good everything. But just to put on your country’s colour, your country’s flag, it’s such a special thing.”

The 33-year-old has five goals in 26 appearances for the national team.

Kamara has also been Vancouver’s top scorer this season, putting up 11 goals in league play, plus another three in Canadian Championship appearances.

For Ghazal, the 26-year-old native of Cairo hasn’t played for Egypt’s men’s team since September 2014. He will be suiting up against Niger next month.