Mallan Roberts Receives Canadian Citizenship; Reunion With Family On Horizon

By Matthew Levine

As a boy, Mallan Roberts was taken away from everything he knew.

Growing up in Sierra Leone, Roberts and his family left the country amid civil war. The nine-year-old left behind the only home he knew and had to leave family behind as well.

Along with his dad, Roberts landed in Canada. His mother and remaining immediate family eventually moved to Australia. Other than contact via video chat, the FC Edmonton defender hasn’t seen his two brothers, sister and mother since heading to Canada on September 12, 2001.

His family has had to follow his career from afar, doing their best with the time difference.

"They try to watch the games,  but with the time difference, it's tough.  It's  17 hours apart. They try to watch the games and follow up. I try to give them a call before and after the games," Roberts told NASL.com

However, a reunion  should be coming very soon. Roberts was recently awarded Canadian citizenship, which  will allow him to travel to Australia. There’s a chance his mother may even come to Edmonton to take in a game at Clarke Stadium.

"They will hopefully get a chance to come during the season. We play until November, so I won’t get a chance to go until then and see everybody," Roberts said. "Hopefully my mom and one of my younger siblings will get to come here."

Not only does the Canadian citizenship open up doors for Roberts off the pitch but does on it as well. Eddies head coach Colin Miller showed interest in calling up the 22-year-old when he was the interim coach of the Canadian Men’s National Team. Had the defender been eligible, he may have made his debut for the nation.

However, where  any potential career at the international level will be for Roberts, is still open to possibilities. Having a connection with both Canada and his  country of birth, Sierra Leone, he could choose to represent either.

"I was born and raised in Sierra  Leone, and growing up I always wanted to play for them. I do have the ambition to play for Sierra  Leone, but I’m open to representing Canada as well," he said.

"I was called in for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying for two separate camps. Unfortunately things didn’t work out due to the Ebola situation and the falling out of the coaches. Anything can happen and whichever calls, I’ll make my decision."

However, to represent either at the international stage, would be a huge moment for him.

"Everybody wants to play with their national team. I’ve spent more time here than there, so it wouldn’t be strange to play for Canada. It would be a great opportunity, I’d be very grateful for the opportunity."

While his  international future is a long-term view, Roberts, now heading into his first season as a Canadian citizen, is focused on building off of the previous year.

"Last year we went out on a good note, and we want to continue where we left off. If we do everything right and everyone stays healthy, I think we have a very good chance of continuing our good form from last year and making the NASL playoffs."

While the season won’t start until April 4, the process of getting his citizenship helped him with a key attribute, which will serve him well while waiting for the first game's kickoff.

"It was kind of stressful, but it teaches you to be patient," he said of gaining citizenship. "I’ve learned to be patient."