Ultimate review of Gambian football players in Europe — Part I: Goalkeepers
As the European season of 2019/2020 came to an end I prepared a rundown of Gambian football players making a brilliant performance across Europe. The outstanding form of these Gambian players could most likely strengthen the national team in the upcoming AfCON games against Gabon on November 9 and 17.
In the following series of four blog posts, I will present Gambian goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and attackers. Concentrating on their stats and overall performance. The first part features goalkeepers. Stay tuned for the next weekly blogposts on further Gambian football players.
But first things first, today as a start I will discuss the performance of three Gambian goalkeepers:
What do you know about Sheikh Sibi?
Sheikh Sibi plays for the Italian club Virtus Verona while finishing 12 positions in the Serie C table in 2019/2020 season. His team was 3 points away from playing in the playoffs with 45 points. The 22-year-old made a total of 6 appearances and conceded 6 goals in the process. Sibi appeared 5 times in the league (Serie C). The young promising goalkeeper had also 1 Coppa Serie C appearance and played a total of 449 minutes in the whole 2019/2020 season.
Baboucarr Gaye hoping to stand between the sticks for the Scorpions
Baboucarr Gaye is the 22-year-old in Germany born Gambian goalkeeper. He currently does not play for any club. However, the young Gaye had 8 appearances and conceded 10 goals keeping 2 clean-sheets for VfB Stuttgart II in the German Regionalliga West in the past 2019/2020 season. Gaye will be looking for new suiters next season, to continue his development as a goalkeeper.
Modou Jobe — the Gambian Number One
Modou Jobe, the 31-year-old Gambian number 1. Commonly known under the nickname “Toldo” in Bundung, Gambia. Jobe made 2 appearances and conceded 3 goals in the King’s Cup for Jeddah FC in 2019/2020 season in Saudi Arabia. The league in Saudi Arabia was suspended due to COVID 19, however recently, he was featured in a 1–1 draw against Al Jeel.
While Alagie Njabally of Real de Banjul has been indeed the perfect backup for Modou Jobe. However, players such as Sibi will add more options and variety in the goalkeeping department for the Scorpions, thus strengthen the team for the next AfCON qualifying games.
The AfCON qualifiers will resume in a double-headed encounter with Gabon, in November 9 and17. While being on top of the group with 4 points The Gambi will hope to avoid a defeat in Gabon, and by all means, secure a win at home. This win is the only realistic chance of qualifying for the first time to the contents most prestigious tournament.
Top-level players with a bright future
While Gambia’s number one, Modou Jobe has been doing great on the field, Alagie Njanbally whenever called open, performed extremely well. It is fair to say that with outstanding defenders the goalkeeping department could keep many sheets clean.
A player such as Sibi and Gaye are still young and have the prospects to perform at the highest level. With almost certainty, the GFF (Gambian Football Federation) will be keeping tabs on their development. Who knows, maybe someday one of them will even get a call from the national team to play at the subsequent games for the Scorpions. In my opinion, all three footballers have the chance to achieve the highest level in there football career.
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