Ultimate review of Gambian football players in Europe — Part II: Defenders
Welcome to my four-part series of the ultimate review of Gambian football players across Europe. In my last blog post, I presented the most promising Gambian goalkeepers.
Today after teasing three Gambian goalkeepers, I want to concentrate on featuring five Gambian defenders. I will discuss:
Omar Colley — the Gambian Vice Captain recently tip for a move to Scottish giants Celtic and English top club Fulham.
The Gambian vice skipper Omar Colley made a total of 28 appearances for U.C Sampdoria in Serie A and 1 Coppa Italia appearance in the 2019/2020 season. As a regular starter for the Serie A team Omar missed only 6 games through suspension and 5 matches on the bench during games against Hellas Verona, As Roma, and S.S.C Napoli. Colley played a total of 2610 minutes during the 2019 /2020 season for his team.
This season (2020/2021) the Gambian defender made 20 Serie A appearances (1781 minutes played) scoring against Benevento Calcio. He also played in Coppa Italia against Lamin Jallow´s former club US Slernitana. So far in this season he has a total average rating of 6.71 per game, 80% pass accuracy, 50% tackle succeeded, 51 interceptions and 83 clearances.
He was solid at the back for The Gambia famous win against Angola, strong in the air, with his ability to build play from the back and his great tackling ability. Omar will be making the squad as The Gambia take on DR. Congo on Monday, 29 March 2021, to clinch a top spot in the group after qualifying for the first time ever to AFCON 2022 in Cameroon.
Bubacarr Sanneh — the most decorated Gambian defender.
The Gambian centre-back won the Danish League in 2017/2018 season with FC Midtjylland, prior to winning the Supporters Shield Cup with AC Horsens in 2014/2015 season. The return of Vincent Kompany to RSC Anderlecht as a player-coach didn’t work out well for the Gambian defender Bubacarr Sanneh.
Due to this Buba was on a loan to the Turkish team Göztepe S.K. The Serekunda born Gambian defender known for his solid tackles which gave him the name “Timber”, made a total of 5 appearances for the Turkish side, 2 from the league and 3 in the Turkiye Kupasi cup. He moved back to Belgium in January 2020 transfer window to KV Oostende on a loan. Sanneh made 3 appearances for the Belgian side, did not make the squad twice and started once from the bench against KRC Genk.
In search for playing time the Gambian defender made a move to AGF Aarhus in Denmark last January 2021. So far he made a total of 6 appearances and one assist with a total rating of 6.48, 68 % pass accuracy and 100% tackles succeeded. His team sits 3rd on the table of the Danish super league.
Buba is instrumental for the Gambia qualifying for the first time to AFCON. The fact that he has more playing time will help the Gambia in the next AFCON tournament.
Ibou Toura of Salford City.
Liverpool born Gambian left-back Ibou Touray plays for Salford City in the English league two and made a total of 42 appearances with 5 goals and 7 assists in 2019/2020 season. The 25-year-old left fullback is a crucial player in the project launched by Manchester United class of 1992. So far in 2020/2021 season he made a total of 35 appearances for his club with 3 assists, 66% pass accuracy, 65% dribble succeeded, 57% tackle succeeded, 32 interceptions and 66 clearances (Fotmob).
Ibou Toura played already twice for The Gambia national team. He has the ability to create goal scoring opportunities and with his eye for goal he will strengthen and add depth into the defence for The Gambia in the next AFCON championship.
Pa Modou Jagne — The Gambian captain looking for a new club after farewell with Zurich.
Pa Modou Jagne made in 2019/2020 season 18 league appearances and 1 Swiss cup appearance for his the club FC Zürich, with 2 assists in the league. With an overall rating of 6.63 per game according to FotMob, the 31-year-old Gambian left-back played his final game for the Swiss capital club on Tuesday 3 August 2020, against FC Thun (3–3). Jagne is currently free agent after FC Zürich failed to extend his contract. The Gambia’s historic victory against Angola on 25 March was his first competitive game in 2021. Nevertheless he was solid and looked sharp in the game.
Sulayman Bojang — Olso-born Gambian defender.
The Oslo born Gambian Sulayman Bojang made a total of 24 appearances for the Norwegian club Sarpsborg 08 FF in 2019/2020 season with one assist. He made 77% pass accuracy, 12 interceptions and 9 clearances. Due to the pandemic and travelling protocols Bojang missed a few games for The Gambia. However he might be considered for selection in the AFCON 2022.
Summary
Footballers such as Omar Colley, Buba Sanneh, Ibou Touray and Sulayman Bojang are very instrumental for The Gambia to qualify in the first ever AFCON championship. The Gambia needs players that are competing in the top leagues across the world to perform well at the tournament. This will influence their rankings and consequently allow the Gambian National Team to establish a regularity in AFCON qualifiers.
The Gambia qualifying for the African cup of nations will surely attract top talented Gambian defenders to play in the continent’s biggest football tournament. Players such as Sherriff Sinyan and ML Jarju, who just made his debut against Angola. The likes of OGC Nice FC left-back Hassane Kamara, yet to make his debut for The Gambia and making his mark in the French top league with (28 total appearance), will surely create competition for places in next African cup of nation.
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