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Oumar KalabaneGuinean footballer
Date of Birth: 08.04.1981
Country:  Guinea |
Content:
Early Career
Umar Kalaban began his professional football career in his hometown with the Guinean club, Irondelle de Conakry. He spent the next six years in Tunisia, playing for Étoile du Sahel and Étoile Beni Khalled.
European Experience
In 2005, Kalaban made a move to Europe, signing with the French Ligue 1 club, Auxerre. He initially played for the reserve team but eventually made his way into the starting lineup, appearing in 20 league matches over two seasons. He also featured in six UEFA Cup fixtures.
Turkish Adventure
In January 2007, Turkish Süper Lig side Manisaspor acquired Kalaban's services for a fee of €2 million. He made his debut on February 11 against Galatasaray in a 0-4 defeat. Despite limited playing time, he scored his first goal for the club in the following season, contributing to a victory over Ankaraspor.
Rise and Fall
Manisaspor was relegated from the top flight in the 2007/08 season, but Kalaban remained a key player, scoring and playing regularly. He played a crucial role in their promotion back to the Süper Lig in the 2008/09 season.
Süper Lig Success
During the 2009/10 season, Kalaban scored against Beşiktaş and helped Manisaspor reach the semi-finals of the Turkish Cup. The club secured their place in the Süper Lig for the following season.
International Career
Kalaban represented Guinea in the 2006 and 2008 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, helping the team reach the quarter-finals both times. In 2008, he scored a goal against Ghana.
