Brikama, The Gambia — SEEDS Academy were officially crowned champions of the 2025 Ballers4Life (B4L) U17 Youth League following a closely contested final held yesterday at the Box Bar Mini Stadium. The match concluded 2–2 after regulation time, with SEEDS Academy ultimately prevailing 4–3 in a post-match penalty shootout.
The event drew significant attention within the football community, attended by high-profile figures including former national team captain Pa Modou Jagne, Ambassador of Türkiye to The Gambia H.E Fahri Türker Oba, Baboucarr Steve Trawally, President of BST Galaxy and Gambian international currently playing in Estonia; the CEO of the Dutch Lions FC Kemo Ceesay; the CEO of eBanor Sports; the Sporting Director of RUKH Lviv (Ukraine); as well as several international scouts and player agents. Their presence underscored the growing stature of the B4L Youth League as an important platform for emerging football talent in The Gambia.
Match Overview
Jarisu Talents opened the scoring through their captain, Ebrima Sarjo, whose precise finish gave his team an early advantage. SEEDS Academy responded promptly, earning a penalty that Buba Louis Demba converted to equalize before halftime.
In the second half, SEEDS Academy were awarded a second penalty, and Demba again converted to give his side a 2–1 lead. Jarisu Talents reacted immediately, with Sarjo completing his brace to restore parity.
Despite disciplined play from both teams, the match remained level at full time, requiring a penalty shootout to determine the winner. SEEDS Academy executed their spot-kicks with composure, securing a 4–3 victory and the league title.
Road to the Final
Jarisu Talents
● Matches Played: 8
● Record: 7 Wins • 1 Draw
● Goals Scored: 20
● Goals Conceded: 4
● Clean Sheets: 5
● Goal Difference: +16
SEEDS Academy
● Matches Played: 8
● Record: 6 Wins • 1 Draw • 1 Loss
● Goals Scored: 14
● Goals Conceded: 7
● Clean Sheets: 3
● Goal Difference: +7
2025 B4L Youth League Award Recipients
● Top Scorer Award (Musa Barrow Award):
Musa Konteh & Ebrima Sarjo (Jarisu Talents) — 8 goals each
● Goalkeeper of the League (Wandeh Njie Award):
Alfred Gomez (SEEDS Academy)
● Coach of the League (Sanna Yaffa Award):
Louis Mendy (SEEDS Academy)
● Fair Play Award (Pa Modou Jagne Award):
Project Gambia
● Best Player of the League (Yankuba Minteh Award):
Ebrima Sarjo (Jarisu Talents)
○ Also recipient of the Most Man of the Match Awards, including the Finals Man of the Match (Baboucarr Steve Trawally Award) for his two-goal performance.
A Growing Platform for Youth Football Development
This year’s B4L U17 Youth League highlighted the increasing quality, discipline, and competitiveness within Gambian youth football. The participation of global football executives, professional players, scouts, and agents reflects the league’s rising importance as a talent-identification platform.
Both SEEDS Academy and Jarisu Talents demonstrated high technical standards throughout the tournament, reinforcing the promise of the next generation of Gambian footballers.
