Ironmen Ink Veteran Defender/ Forward Ibrahim Kante
Published on February 15, 2008 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
NEWARK, NJ (Friday, February 15, 2008) - The New Jersey Ironmen (10-9) announced today that they have come to terms with defender/forward Ibrahim Kante. The rights to Kante were acquired via a trade with Milwaukee in which the Wave will receive New Jersey's first two non-territorial selections from the 2008 MISL College Draft (forward Jacek Przednowek and midfielder Travis McKenzie) and future considerations. Kante is set to join the Ironmen Saturday night when they take on the Baltimore Blast (12-7) at 1st Mariner Arena.
"We needed an aggressive defender who was comfortable on the ball," Ironmen Head Coach Omid Namazi remarked. "Ibrahim is experienced in the indoor game, and he is still in the young stage of his career. We hope to have him for many years to come."
Kante was born in Bamako, Mali. He played collegiately at Essex Community College in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas Junior College All-America First Team in 2002. He began training with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer after college, making two appearances during the 2003 season. He spent fives games of the 2003-04 MISL season with the Baltimore Blast and helped the club win the league championship that season.
Kante continued his indoor career with the St. Louis Steamers and the Kansas City Comets before returning to the Blast in 2005 for two seasons. The West African native has experience both in the defensive backfield and at the target position. He played with Crystal Palace Baltimore of the USL-1 during 2007 as part of a dominant defense that allowed a mere 12 goals in 18 games.
Kante will suit up in the Maroon and Mandarin tomorrow night for the first time to play his old club, the Baltimore Blast. The Ironmen defeated the Blast 13-12 at Prudential Center on January 11th following a Kevin Sloan goal with 55 seconds remaining in the contest, and Baltimore has not lost a game since. The Blast play in Milwaukee tonight before returning home to host New Jersey on Saturday night. Kickoff is slated for 7:35 p.m.
The Ironmen return home to Prudential Center on Thursday, February 21st, for their inaugural "Healthy Kids Day". New Jersey will host the California Cougars at Prudential Center in a day surrounded by educational programming relative to fitness and nutrition, and Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker will be serving as the club honorary captain. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. with kickoff slated for 11:00 a.m. Any schools that would be interested in attending the Ironmen "Healthy Kids Day" can contact the club directly by calling 1-800-IRONMEN.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 15, 2008
- Wave Hold Off Blast Behind Howes' Six Points - Milwaukee Wave
- Ignition Blast Defending Champs, 16-4, At Compuware - Detroit Ignition
- KiXX offense sputters against Ignition, 16-4 - Philadelphia KiXX
- Ironmen Ink Veteran Defender/ Forward Ibrahim Kante - New Jersey Ironmen
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