By Baboucarr Fallaboweh
One year ago, Sibanor United fell just short of glory after a narrow defeat to Balor Sarr in the regional finals. Today, they are celebrating a hard-earned promotion to the Gambia’s national second division, led by none other than rising star Francis Gomez.
Gomez’s breakout moment came during that heartbreaking regional final, where his fearless dribbles and electric pace lit up the match despite the loss.
Even in defeat, he was the standout player, catching the eyes of scouts and earning the nickname “the wonder boy” of Sibanor. Soon, divisional teams across the country were vying for his signature.
His ascent continued swiftly. Francis earned a call up to The Gambia’s U17 national team, where he shone at the WAFU Cup and returned home with a bronze medal. That performance placed him firmly on the radar of European clubs.
Under the management of Ebanor Sports Management, Gomez secured a precontract with Danish side AC Horsens, with plans to officially join the team once he turns 18.
Earlier this year, he spent two months training with the club in Denmark. Now, he is set to return to Denmark once again to rejoin AC Horsens for another summer training stint. This time, he will be accompanied by his coach, Ebrima Camara, who is also traveling to Denmark to take part in a coaching capacity building program arranged through Ebanor Sports Management.
At the time of his return to The Gambia, Sibanor United sat in sixth place in the third division, far from playoff contention. But Gomez’s arrival changed everything. With seven goals and four assists, he spearheaded the team’s climb to the top.
In the finals, he delivered when it mattered most, scoring a crucial equalizer and setting up the winning goal that secured Sibanor a place in the playoff. There, he stepped up first in the penalty shootout, converting confidently to lift the team’s spirits and lead them to victory.
Sibanor United will now compete in the national second division, a historic achievement for the club. And although Europe beckons, Francis Gomez is still eligible to represent the team next season before making the full move abroad.
As the young star prepares for the next stage of his journey and his coach gains valuable international experience, one thing is clear – the future of both Francis Gomez and Sibanor United looks incredibly bright.
