By: Ebrima Mbaye
In the heart of The Gambia’s Central River Region (CRR), where football is played on sandy soil, and dreams often die before they take flight, two young men have shattered the limits of their environment. Sheriff Jallow, known as Witsel, and Sainey Keita, called Fasa, have risen from the dusty pitches of their rural communities to the grand stage of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) First Division. Their journey is not just a story of personal triumph but a testament to resilience, self-belief, and the hunger to succeed against all odds.
A Region Without a Pathway: The Harsh Reality of Football in CRR
For young footballers in CRR, the struggle begins long before they even touch a proper football. Unlike urban areas like Kombo, where modern facilities and structured leagues exist, CRR lacks even the most basic football infrastructure. There are no standard football parks, no divisional teams, and no real pathway to professional football.
Aspiring players are forced to play on rugged, uneven grounds, using makeshift goalposts and old, worn-out footballs. Opportunities to be scouted are rare, and for many, the dream of making it to the First Division feels like an impossible task. But Sheriff Jallow and Sainey Keita refused to be defined by these limitations.
Sheriff Jallow: A Dreamer Who Refused to Give Up
Born and raised in Brikamaba in the Central River Region, Sheriff Jallow’s love for football burned fiercely from a young age. He had the skill, the hunger, and the belief, but the lack of a divisional team in his region meant that he had no clear path forward.
“It’s not easy, but it’s a dream come true,” Jallow reflects. “In CRR, hard work and determination are what make it possible because there is no team competing in the GFF first and second division.”
His footballing journey began with Nawettan tournaments, where he quickly gained a reputation as a fearless and skilled player. But without a divisional team to showcase his talent, he had to take a different route—starting from Nawettan, moving to the 3rd Division, and finally breaking into the 2nd Division.
During this journey, Jallow found strength in those who believed in him. He credits his brother for playing a crucial role, often buying him football boots when he had none. He also expresses deep gratitude to his childhood coaches, Master Babucarr Fatty and Modou Surr of Brikamaba, who motivated him when he first started playing in Brikamaba.
“They always believed in me, even when things were tough,” Jallow says. “They pushed me to keep going, and I’m forever grateful for that.”
Despite facing endless challenges—long travels, financial struggles, and the pressure of proving himself—Jallow remained steadfast. His breakthrough came when his team secured promotion to the 1st Division, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Even then, the battle wasn’t over. The First Division brought tougher opponents, higher expectations, and an entirely new level of competition. But Jallow refused to be intimidated.
“You cannot go without motivation and without challenges,” he says. “It’s not easy, but I keep believing in myself.”
Sainey Keita: Patience, Determination, and the Leap to First Division
Like Jallow, Sainey Keita’s journey was filled with obstacles. Growing up in Sankulay Kunda a village in CRR, he played his early football in Janjangbureh’s Nawettan competition. His breakthrough came in 2012 when he secured a starting spot. Over the next few years, he continued to develop, winning trophies with Yerro Birri Kunda’s village team in Kerewan Samba Sira in 2016 and 2017.
But even as his talent shone, he faced the same problem that plagued all young footballers in CRR—no divisional team, no real opportunities. Determined to make it, he took a bold step, joining Interio FC in the 3rd Division. But after one season without success, he returned home, uncertain of what the future held.
Everything changed when he joined Toro FC Academy of Janjangbureh and played a friendly match against Medical FC of Bansang. His performance was so impressive that Medical FC immediately sought his services. However, this move came with another challenge—he had never played on a grass pitch before. All his life, he had played on sandy soil.
“I trained for one week at Jarra Soma to experience the carpet,” he recalls.
Medical FC won the triangle and secured a spot in the 2nd Division. Keita played two seasons before the club was sold, leaving him stranded once again. But just when things seemed bleak, his friend Sheriff Jallow stepped in, connecting him with Hart FC.
Joining Hart FC was another leap of faith. Keita was also a civil servant, meaning he had to balance his job with professional football. But he was determined to make it work. Today, he is not just a First Division player—he is a regular starter, proving that perseverance always pays off.
“I used to think, ‘When will I play First Division when I’m struggling in the 3rd Division?’” Keita reflects. “But with determination, today I play for Hart FC with pride”
For both Jallow and Keita, their success is bigger than themselves. They are have undoubtedly proved that talent from CRR can make it to the highest level, even without the necessary infrastructure. Their stories inspire countless young footballers who dream of following in their footsteps.
Jallow’s message to young players is simple but powerful:
“If you want to play in the high level of football, you have to leave CRR. There’s no division team there, so you have to go to places where you can showcase your talent.”
Keita echoes the same sentiment:
“Football is all about determination. You have to be ready. You cannot become a player while sitting at home.”
As the CRR duo continue their journey in the GFF First Division, their eyes are set on even greater heights. They hope that one day, CRR will have its own divisional teams and proper football facilities so that young players won’t have to leave home to chase their dreams.
For now, Sheriff Jallow and Sainey Keita stand as living proof that no obstacle is too great, no dream too far, and no challenge too difficult to overcome. They are the sons of CRR who refused to settle, and today, they are breaking barriers and making history.
