A former Hartpury College student featured in Sierra Leone’s starting 11 on Tuesday, as they played Algeria in their first match of the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Mustapha Bundu, a former Level 3 Extended Diploma Sport (Football) student, played well and helped the West African side hold the African champions to a 0-0 draw.
Algeria enjoyed plenty of the ball during the opening exchanges, but Sierra Leone had a couple of notable warning shots across the bow of Algeria in the opening quarter.
Bundu provided a low cross from the right which was swept just wide of the near post by Alhaji Kamara. He was involved in another opportunity 23 minutes into the game, as his free kick delivery from the left was headed wide of the target by Umaru Bangura.
Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Bundu started playing youth football for the Craig Bellamy Academy – a charity founded by the ex-Premier League player that offers underprivileged children in Sierra Leone the chance to reach their true potential through football and education, before moving to the UK to study and play at Hartpury College. During his time at Hartpury, he scored 18 goals in six outings in the English Schools’ FA Cup. He also helped Hartpury University’s men’s first team to clinch the BUCS Premier South League title in 2016.
He went on to appear for non-league sides Newquay A.F.C and Hereford F.C before signing for Danish Superliga club AGF after a trial. In 2020, he transferred to Anderlecht. Bundu made his international debut in September 2019 in a game against Liberia and has since had multiple call-ups for the Sierra Leone national team.
Chris Knowles, Senior Football Manager at Hartpury, said: “We’re very proud of Mustapha and his successes during and since his time as a Hartpury College student. It’s testament to his talent and dedication to football that he played a key role in his country’s first AFCON game in more than a quarter-of-a-century. We look forward to following his progress through the remainder of the tournament.”
“We hope Mustapha’s success story will inspire current and future Hartpury students to pursue their football ambitions while studying for a high-quality university or college qualification,” he added.
A total of 24 teams are taking part in the tournament which concludes on 6 February and features legendary players like Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and Sadio Mane (Senegal).
Speaking in 2016 about his time at Hartpury, Bundu said: “I really enjoyed my time at Hartpury. One of the reasons I chose to come to Hartpury was so I could get an education while playing football. The whole team have been great, and I have been lucky to be part of a really good squad.”
Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s teams and sports academies have enjoyed many successes over the last twelve months, with Hartpury University men’s first team already retaining their BUCS Premier South League title.
Students can improve all aspects of their game with access to leading specialist facilities including two all-weather 3G pitches and three grass pitches. Sports Academy facilities such as human performance and biomechanics laboratories, a support team comprising strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists and nutritionists complement athlete preparation and analysis. Students playing and training with Hartpury’s Sports Academies are supported to achieve success in their academic learning as well as their sport, with training timetables designed to fit perfect around their studies.
As a Dual Career Accredited Site, Hartpury is an important extension of a network of universities partnered with TASS – which is backed by Sport England – delivering core support services to student athletes. 99% of college students progress to employment, university or further study (Hartpury 2019).
Learn more about Hartpury College sports diplomas and Hartpury University sports degrees.
