By Pa Ebrima Sawaneh
Earlier this evening, I was listening to Demba Sanyang, a former Gambian international footballer, passionately rant about the transfer policies of Gambian football clubs. His frustration was palpable as he critiqued how local teams manage the careers of young talents, often sending them abroad to smaller footballing nations where they might struggle to develop to their full potential. His words got me thinking about the state of Gambian football and the difficult choices faced by our young players.
In Gambia, football is more than just a game—it’s a lifeline for thousands of young people who see the sport as their only chance at a better future. However, for most, the dream of turning professional remains elusive. Despite the raw talent on display across the country, only a small number of players get the opportunity to play professionally, and even fewer make it to top leagues. The majority are left navigating a challenging football system that lacks commercialization and sufficient infrastructure. This leaves them with two uncertain paths: transferring to smaller footballing nations in Europe or Africa, or staying in Gambia where opportunities are limited.
Two clubs in Gambia, Real de Banjul and Steve Biko, illustrate the complexities of this dilemma in very different ways.
My Personal Journey: Balancing Football and Education
On a personal level, I can relate to the tough choices young players face. During my middle days of playing Nawetaan, I realized I had the potential for a career in football. However, my mother insisted that I focus on education instead. So, throughout my short football career, I had to strike a balance between the two. When I eventually played in the National League for Gamtel, my coach, Abdoulie Star Jallow—a former national captain for the Scorpions—opened doors for me and other players by allowing us to study at the Gamtel Multimedia Training Institute alongside playing for the team. This opportunity paved the way for my current career in computing.
Although I didn’t turn professional, I’m proud of the balance I was able to achieve. Football shaped me in many ways, but I’m equally happy that I pursued an alternative career that continues to pay the bills today.
Real de Banjul: A Model of Organization with a Controversial Path
Real de Banjul, arguably the most organized and professionally run club in Gambia, stands out in the local football landscape. Recently, the club established a partnership with Paide, a club in Estonia, which has enabled several Gambian players to transfer to Eastern Europe. For many of these players, the opportunity to play in a professional setup abroad—no matter the size of the league—represents a significant step forward.
While this partnership is praised for providing young players with opportunities, it is not without controversy. Critics argue that sending players to smaller footballing nations may not serve their long-term development. These leagues may lack the infrastructure, competitiveness, and visibility needed to nurture top-level talent. The concern is that players may find themselves stuck in lower-tier leagues, with limited opportunities for advancement to more prestigious competitions.
However, for many players and their families, the Paide partnership offers a crucial lifeline. In Gambia, where football is not fully commercialized, even modest professional salaries earned in Eastern Europe can make a huge difference. The alternative, for many, would be staying in Gambia, where the economic realities are harsh, and opportunities to make a living from football are scarce.
Steve Biko: A Rare Success Story with Adama Bojang
On the other hand, Steve Biko Football Club offers a different narrative. In a major success story, Steve Biko recently facilitated the transfer of Adama Bojang, one of their standout players, directly to French Ligue 1—a major footballing league. For a player to move from the Gambian league directly to a top-tier European league is a rare and extraordinary achievement. Bojang’s success has drawn attention to the possibility that Gambian players can be scouted and transferred to elite leagues without needing to pass through smaller footballing nations.
However, Bojang’s transfer is the exception rather than the rule. For every Adama Bojang, there are countless young players who will never get the chance to be seen by scouts from major European clubs. Many of Bojang’s former teammates may never have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps, even if they have the talent. This stark reality raises important questions: How many Gambian players will have the opportunity to play in major leagues? And what happens to the ones left behind?
The Future for Players Who Don’t Turn Professional For the majority of youth footballers in Gambia, the path to professional football remains uncertain. Without transfers to Europe or lucrative contracts, most players face tough choices about their future.
- Staying in the Local League: Many players will continue to play in the Gambian league, which lacks the commercialization, financial support, and infrastructure necessary to sustain professional careers. While some may find local success, the overall prospects for earning a stable living are slim.
- Abandoning Football: For those who cannot make a living from football, the transition to alternative careers can be challenging. Many young players have invested most of their time and effort into football, leaving them with few other marketable skills.
- The Risk of Illegal Migration: Tragically, some young players, feeling trapped by a lack of opportunities at home, may turn to illegal migration—locally referred to as the “back-way”—in a desperate bid to seek better lives abroad. This dangerous route has claimed the lives of many young Gambians, who leave in search of opportunities that football at home cannot provide.
The Need for Structured Pathways and Development
The contrasting paths of Real de Banjul and Steve Biko highlight a larger issue in Gambian football: the need for more structured and sustainable pathways for youth development. Both clubs offer valuable opportunities, but these isolated success stories are not enough to solve the broader challenges facing Gambian football. To ensure more players can turn professional, several key steps must be taken:
- Strengthening the Local League: Building a more competitive and financially viable domestic league is crucial. This includes improving infrastructure, attracting investment, and commercializing the sport so that clubs can afford to pay their players and offer proper development programs.
- Expanding International Partnerships: Partnerships with clubs in smaller leagues, like Real de Banjul’s with Paide, provide vital opportunities for players. However, expanding these partnerships to include clubs in higher-tier leagues in Europe or elsewhere could offer even greater prospects for career development.
- Focusing on Youth Development: Establishing robust youth academies, providing players with access to quality coaching, and offering career guidance can help young athletes develop their skills and prepare for professional careers, whether at home or abroad.
The Challenge Ahead
Gambian football faces a difficult challenge: how to create more opportunities for its talented youth, both at home and abroad. Real de Banjul’s partnership with Paide offers a path for players to gain professional experience, but it may not be the best solution for long-term development. Meanwhile, Steve Biko’s success with Adama Bojang highlights the potential for direct transfers to top leagues—but such opportunities are rare.
Without a stronger local football system and more structured pathways for player development, many Gambian players will continue to face uncertain futures, whether on the pitch or beyond it. The solution lies in building a sustainable football ecosystem that can provide more young players with the chance to fulfill their dreams of turning professional. Only then can Gambian football truly realize its potential, both at home and on the global stage.
