By Ebrima Mbaye
In a dazzling display of determination and grassroots football excellence, Foni Heroes Football Club, established only in June 2024, has defied all odds to qualify for the West Coast Region (WCR) 3rd Division League. The team, based in Besse in the Foni Breffet District, secured their spot in December 2024 at the Brikama SSP football field. After a fierce battle, Foni Heroes FC defeated Batokunku United FC in a nail-biting penalty shootout of 7-6, cementing their place among regional heavyweights like Sibanor United.
The quick and surprising rise of Foni Heroes is the brainchild of Kara Abdoulie Jabbi, a Gambian expatriate who spent 16 years in Birmingham, England. Jabbi founded the club during his summer holiday with a mission to empower young talents in the region and provide them with opportunities to excel.
“I started this project to give our young people a platform to showcase their talents,” Jabbi shared. “Foni is brimming with potential, and this team was created to harness that energy and give them hope. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but together, we’ve achieved something incredible.”
The road to qualification was far from smooth. Jabbi began by organizing a scouting tournament involving 16 teams from the district to identify the best players. However, his efforts faced resistance from the Foni Breffet District Sports Committee, who limited his reach and accused him of undermining their operations.
“The district committee initially restricted us to scouting from only two villages, but I knew that wouldn’t work,” Jabbi explained. “So, I shifted focus to inviting club teams instead. They tried to block our progress by reporting us to the regional football authorities, but we stayed resilient and focused on our mission.”
Despite these challenges, Jabbi and his team managed to select players from just five matches in the truncated scouting tournament. The players, largely overlooked or sidelined by the district committee due to financial disagreements and alleged favoritism, found a new lease of life with Foni Heroes.
“Our players had faced years of neglect. They didn’t receive match bonuses or proper equipment despite winning major tournaments like the Barrow Peace Tournament. We provided them with the support they deserved, and their trust in us has been the key to our success,” Jabbi added.
The team’s head coach, Bilal Nyassy, was brought in from Kembujeh to lead the squad through the qualifiers. Despite being a novice in coaching third-division qualifiers, Nyassy embraced the challenge with vigor.
“Coaching a team of players from diverse backgrounds was no small task,” Nyassy admitted. “From day one, I told the boys that the qualifiers were just the beginning. Our ultimate goal is the first division. The manager’s unwavering support has been instrumental, and the players’ determination has made my job easier.”
Team captain Fallou Badjie, a native of Besse, expressed his pride in leading the team to this historic milestone.
“It’s a dream come true,” Badjie said. “When the team was established, I immediately knew I wanted to be part of it. I was on loan from Jam City, and now, having played a key role in our qualification, I couldn’t be prouder. Our coaches pushed us hard, but it’s all been worth it.”
As they prepare for their debut season in the WCR 3rd Division League, Foni Heroes have their sights set on even greater heights. Jabbi is optimistic about the future but insists on taking things step by step.
“Our aim is to reach the second division as soon as possible, but there’s no pressure on the players,” Jabbi stated. “This is their first time competing at this level, and we’re focusing on partnerships that can help empower these talented young men.”
For the players, fans, and management of Foni Heroes, this achievement is not just a sporting milestone—it’s a testament to the power of resilience, vision, and community spirit. From being doubted to becoming contenders, Foni Heroes have truly earned their name.
Kara Abdoulie Jabbi highlighted the immense talent within Foni but expressed concerns about the lack of investment in the region’s football development.
“Foni has talented young individuals. Foni produced talents that won the West Coast Zonals in 2024, and this year they are in the finals,” he said. However, Jabbi emphasized the challenges faced by young players in realizing their potential due to insufficient support.
“The problem Foni has is the lack of investment to enable young players to realize their talents. Having only two teams from Foni in the third division is not good for an area as big as Foni. If you check the national teams and divisional teams, many of the players are Foni natives. If you look at the West Coast Region’s football house, if you remove the natives of Foni, the remaining would be very minimal,” he explained.
Jabbi stressed that the solution lies in increased investment in football. “Investing in the game is the only solution to this problem because Foni has a lot of talents. The more you don’t expose teams to divisional levels in The Gambia, the less progress you’ll see. If you look at teams like Hart FC, Jarra West, Wagadugu, and Suwokono, they are making it happen because they have natives who are ready to sacrifice their resources to uplift the younger ones. This is what we lack in Foni.”
