Sierra Leone's Finland-based goalkeeper, Ibrahim 'Buffon' Bangura, has said he is the solution to the national team, Leone Stars' goalkeeping problem.

The Tampereen Pallo-Veikot (TPV) goalkeeper, who was part of the U-17 squad that played the 2003 FIFA World Cup in Finland, believes his presence in the national team will create competition amongst others for the number one spot. "After lot of professional experience, I fell the time is right for me to play for my national team and help solve the goalkeeping problem the team is facing," said Bangura.

"I believe my coming into the squad will help create more competition which will allow everybody to fight for the number spot. I have no doubt in myself and I am very confident I will be the solution to our goalkeeping issue."

The former Mighty Blackpool shot-stopper - who is currently TPV's first choice goalkeeper - was former teammate of the current Leone Stars trio, Samuel Barlay, Mohamed Medo Kamara and Umaru Bangura, as they were all part of the national U-17 squad which made history in the country's football by qualifying for the 2003 World Cup in Finland.

TPV is a Finnish football club based in Tampere. The club plays in the Kakkonen league, the third highest level of football in Finland.