Ibrahima Bangoura (born 12 August 1982 in Conakry) is a Guinean football striker who, as of 2009 is playing for Turkey side Denizlispor.

He was a member of the Guinea squad for the 2006 African Nations Cup where the team were eliminated in the quarter-finals. His cousin Ismaël Bangoura is also a footballer and a member of the team.

His favourite position is second striker although he has played as winger or as an attacking midfielder. He is well known for his pace.

[edit] Early career

Bangoura started his career in his native Guinea at local side FC Istres before being spotted by scouts from Gazélec Ajaccio. He joined the Corsican side, scoring 15 times in 44 games for his new club, before moving to French Ligue 1 outfit Le Mans in 2005. He made his debut on November 5, 2005 against French giants Marseille, starting his top-flight career in perfect style with a goal in his sides 3-0 victory. He ended his first season having played 23 times, scoring a respectable six goals. In the 2006/07 season he was the top scorer for Le Mans with 12 goals in 33 games as well as being the joint second highest scorer in the French league.

[edit] Move to Turkey

On 25 January 2009 Bangoura signed a five-year-contract with Denizlispor. The transfer fee was estimated to be around €300,000. Ibrahima quickly became a fan favourite, and established himself as a talented goal scorer. Bangoura's other notable feature is his goal celebration, which he performs with fellow teammate and Senegalese international defender Pape Diakhate, it resembles an African dance.

[edit] External links

• Career history at National Football Teams
• Profile at l'Equipe
• Profile at ESPN
• Profile at Eurosport
• Profile at UEFA
• Bangoura scores against Manchester United
• Trigger Bangoura quick on the draw
• Bangoura signs for Kyiv

v • d • e Guinea squad – 2006 Africa Cup of Nations 1 Diarso • 2 Feindouno • 3 I. Camara • 4 Kaba • 5 Baldé • 6 Thiam • 7 Mansaré • 8 K. Sylla • 9 S. Bangoura • 10 Ismaël Bangoura • 11 Ibrahima Bangoura • 12 Cissé • 13 O. Bangoura • 14 Souare • 15 Kalabane • 16 A. Bangoura • 17 Diallo • 18 M. Sylla • 19 Diawara • 20 Yattara • 21 Jabi • 22 K. Camara • 23 S. Camara • Coach: Neveu

v • d • e Guinea squad – 2008 Africa Cup of Nations 1 Diarso • 2 Feindouno • 3 I. Camara • 4 M. Cisse • 5 Baldé • 6 Zayatte • 7 Mansaré • 8 Sylla • 9 Correia • 10 Bangoura • 11 Youla • 12 A. Camara • 13 Sakho • 14 Soumah • 15 Kalabane • 16 K. Camara • 17 Diallo • 18 Johnson • 19 K. Cissé • 20 Baldé • 21 Jabi • 22 Yattara • 23 Bah • Coach: Nouzaret