AFC Totton
New AFC Totton Manager Jimmy Ball has wasted no time adding to his squad before deadline day, ahead of the crucial last seven league matches that will make or break the Stags’ bid to reach the Southern League Div.1 South Promotion Play-Offs.
The former Portsmouth coach has called upon his former club to bring in central defender Issiaga Kaba on loan until the end of the season.
Kaba, who will turn 18 years-old in April, grew up in Andover and attended Wellington Academy School, before joining the Southampton FC Academy. He moved to Portsmouth’s Academy in July 2020 and made his Pompey First Team debut as a late substitute in their 3-0 EFL Trophy victory against Crystal Palace U23s in November.
The player fondly nicknamed “Izzy” had a short loan spell at Southern League Premier Division South team Salisbury FC in January of this year, before being recalled to the Fratton Park club. He has since been featuring regularly for Portsmouth Academy, most recently in last Monday’s 2-1 win at AFC Bournemouth in the Merit League.
His performance earned praise from his coach, Liam Daish, who complimented him on his leadership qualities as one of three second year scholars representing a Pompey side that also included several U16s and a few trialists.
Manager Ball said: "I've known about Izzy since we played against him when I was at Forest Green Rovers, and was impressed with him then. I get on well with Liam Daish and had a good talk with him, so I'm confident we're getting a good player."
Kaba's registration has been completed, so he is available to feature in the matchday squad for today's Southern League Div.1 South visit of Bideford AFC.
by Ben Rochey-Adams
Image courtesy of Craig Hobbs Photography
