Talent of the day – Amath Diallo
Age: 18 years
Height: 1.87
Club: Amitie FC
Position: Left-wing, Attacking Midfielder
Player Role: flamboyant winger/ advanced playmaker
Strength: Dribbling, speed, technique, technique, ball control, creativity, crossing, agility, set pieces
Similar type of player: James Maddison
Amat optimistic he is on the road to success at Amitie FC
After the African Cup Challenge tournament semifinals, everyone was asking: Who was the player who scored that stunner? Amat, like many young Gambians, is currently in Senegal, continuing his development en route to professional football. The Alkamba Times caught up with the Bakau born player as he highlighted his amazing career and the path, he is undertaking under the tutelage of Demba Ba.
Amat scored twice against African Football Epic (AFE of Mali, owned by former Senegalese international Diomansy Kamara) in the group stage and semifinal. His goal against AFE went on to win the goal of the tournament as they edged Generation Foot 1-0 in the finals. The fourth edition of the African Cup Challenge was played at the Diambars Institute in Senegal from April 15th to April 21st. The international tournament brought 12 academies from five different West African countries and a European club who competed for honors. Amat capped the tournament with two goals, one assist, and two Man of the Match awards.
“Not every player is opportune to play in these kinds of tournaments. In the previous tournament, we weren’t prepared that much, and the Amitie project wasn’t that stable during our first time participating, resulting in us being knocked out of the quarterfinals. However, this time we prepared mentally and physically. I am not surprised that we beat Generation Foot in the finals; we played tougher games compared to those of the Generation Foot match. AFE is a good team, as is Diambars. We won against both teams. With the impact the team has, I don’t think any opponent can withstand us.” He noted.
Journey with Amitie FC
Scouted at the sandy football field in Bakau, Amat was training for the interregional competition when the scout of Amitie FC, Justin, spotted an average midfielder fondly called Maddison among mates. Justin who is known to have scouted Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson concluded even before they started the training session that Amath was everything they were looking for in the Gambia. He didn’t continue that interregional competition, making his move to Dakar imminent. Amat left the shores of the Gambia at the end of 2022 to start his trials with Amitie FC, and by January 2023, he was offered a contract. Playing for both the academy and the A team. He went on to finish the league with them in the second half of the season, scoring four goals and providing three assists, propelling him to become an integral core of the team in the season that follows. He is currently the team’s specialist, responsible for both corner kicks and free kicks.
Amath Diallo
Amitie FC (Senegal) pic.twitter.com/HFLyBEpUks— Buba Jallow Fallaboweh (@soccercafe1) April 25, 2024
In 20 games so far, the left-footed winger has six goals and six assists as he eyes double figures.
“Senegal is a gateway; Senegalese football is part of the best in Africa, without a doubt, and we have seen off late with facilities, talent, and support from the government.”
“If you have the opportunity, as a young player, to move to Senegal to show your talent, go for it.”
“Players like Bun Sanneh, Ablie Jallow, Lamin Jarjou, and Alasana Faye serve as motivation, seeing them leave the Gambia and do wonderful stuff in Senegal. I feel like I have the potential to achieve what they have achieved in Senegal and showcase what I can do. Senegal is a gateway, and that’s why I chose to join Amitie FC. I was impressed with the Amitie project. I saw that the players were in good condition, and I felt like this is the place where I can progress more in my football. Amitie has a good project, just like Generation Foot and Diambars; they are developing and competing in the second division. I am very happy to be here for now and am waiting for bigger opportunities.”
Amitie was initially a Thies club, but Demba Ba is moving the team, which is in its completion phase, to Mary Kunda.
” It’s motivation; whenever he comes, he chats with us and teaches us a lot. He is a complete mentor.”
On whether he will avail himself for nationality switch if an opportunity comes, Amat emphasized that his dream is to feature for Gambia.
Lamin Jarju is set to report to the Senegalese CHAN team, Alasan Faye was in the first batch. For the U20, CayorFoot players Yusupha Sanyang & Momodou Saidy are currently being screened. In the past both Amadou Sanyang (Obi) Ebrima Colley (Lay) & Muctar Njie (Rafael) pic.twitter.com/XPYyzmmpTd
— Buba Jallow Fallaboweh (@soccercafe1) May 13, 2022
“Senegalese nationality? Yes but I want to represent Gambia in the in the U20, and that’s my dream. The Gambia U20 lost Teungueth winger Youssouph Sanyang, who represented the young lions in all Africa games in Accra. Samyang is enjoying a terrific run of performances with the Dakar-based club. Just like their predecessors, they all represented Senegal in the junior category.”
Amat previously played for his boyhood club, Fajara South Atlantic. Despite not completing the season, he is a League Cup winner and scored in Bakau’s 2-0 win over Serekunda West in the preseason. That wonderful season made Hawks and BK Milan send their offers, and as soon as he hit the ground running in his early days with Amitie FC, Diambars and Jaraff scrambled for his signing.
Amat manager Pateh Nyang, a former Gambian international said Amat is in the right hands with Demba Ba.
“Demba Ba, being the legend he is and the project he has, I didn’t hesitate to release Amat. Justin returned, and I escorted him to the Amat’s family. His early days in Amitie yielded dividends as his physique was built, his off-the-ball weakness was worked on, and the missing flair for Amat was added making him to defend well. I saw a rapid development in him.
His departure to Senegal motivated the boys at Fajara South a lot, especially Omar Jarju; he made a lot of impact and ended up leaving for Denmark too. Other players went to the first and second divisions, and the smaller ones had a big performance in the nawettan, and now most of them are in the third division.
