Two promising talents from the B4L Youth League, Ebrima Sarjo of Jarisu Talents and Pa Louie Di Maria Mendy of SEEDS Academy, have traveled for a month-long trial with Ukrainian club Rukh Lviv.
They are joined by U-17 national team player Kawsu Sanneh from San Mames Brikama, who previously trained with Rukh Lviv. After impressing the club during his earlier stint, Sanneh has been invited back to continue training with the team.
Sarjo and Mendy were identified by Rukh Lviv directors who attended the B4L Youth League finals last November, where SEEDS Academy emerged champions after a tense penalty shootout.
Both players were standout performers throughout the competition. Sarjo scored twice in the final, earning him the Best Player of the League award. He also finished as joint top scorer with his Jarisu teammate Musa Konteh, with eight goals each. The players are accompanied by Lamin Fatty, one of the coordinators of the B4L Youth League.
Speaking on the development, Baboucarr Mbye, B4L Youth League Coordinator confirmed the trip and praised the players’ performances:
“The boys have performed exceptionally well in both the U-15 and U-17 leagues. They have been consistent standouts throughout. They are incredibly talented, hardworking, and disciplined, and I believe they are destined for greatness. We at B4L are very proud of them and wish them all the best.”
Alieu Sowe, one of the founders of the B4L Youth League, also expressed his delight at the opportunity:
“B4L was founded to provide a platform for young players to showcase their talents. These trials were facilitated by eBanor Sports Agency. We invited our partners to our games and co-organized scouting events to ensure the boys are seen by international scouts.”
He further emphasized the broader impact of the initiative:
“This is a great achievement for us and a strong motivation for the players. It shows that with hard work, football can create positive pathways to success. It also supports our mission of working with academies to use football as a tool to provide a safe environment and meaningful opportunities for young players.”
Notably, Baboucarr Faal, a former Gambia U-20 national team player, previously spent a season at Rukh Lviv and has recently secured a move to Karpaty Lviv for a reported fee believed to be around $1.2 million—further highlighting the pathway available for Gambian talents.
Building Pathways Through Football
Opportunities like these highlight the growing importance of youth football development in The Gambia. The B4L Youth League continues to play a key role in building a strong talent pool by connecting young players with international exposure and professional pathways.
Through structured competition, scouting partnerships, and player development, B4L is not only nurturing talent but also creating real opportunities for Gambian youth to pursue careers in football and beyond.
