By Mamour M Mbenga
Gambian striker, Yusupha Njie was awarded for playing 100 matches for Portuguese top tier team Boavista. Yusupha is the son of the late legendary footballer Biri Biri who played for Sevilla as an attacker, with whom he played 99 matches and scored 32 goals for the La Liga side. Now his son Yusupha has gone one match better than his dad.
To celebrate the occasion Yusupha posted a photo with the caption “what an amazing journey it has been to reach this milestone of 100 caps. Always honoured to be part of this amazing team. To more milestones Inshaa Allah”.
Yusupha’s football career started with Gambian top-flight team Real de Banjul in 2011 where he spent two seasons and won the Gambia’s top tier League title in 2012. This qualified Real de Banjul into the 2013 CAF Champions League where his performances attracted the attention of Moroccan club FUS Rabat.
Before his departure, Yusupha’s former club Real de Banjul described him as “a player with lots of talents, a great match-winner who is good in aerial balls and has good tempo with the ball”.
According to an article published by the Daily Observer in June 2013, then 19-year-old Njie’s performances prompted “FUS coach, Sellami, to invite him for a brief trial with a view to a permanent contract”.
During his four (4) year stint with FUS Rabat, Yusupha helped the team win the Moroccan Cup in 2015 and their first-ever league title in 2015-16. This propelled him to be voted as Rabat’s best player in that same season giving him more attention from European clubs.
Eventually, Boavista came knocking for his signature in 2017, starting his career in Europe and since then Yusupha has not looked back. Speaking on his 100th cap achievement Yusupha says he’s in a better physical and mental state to achieve his goals. In his view, his love for sports is part of his DNA and he is determined to set a lasting legacy for his club and national team, the Gambia’s Scorpions.
Yusupha featured in the Gambia’s historic run in the CAF’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 although his solitary appearance in the competition lasted a few minutes when he received a red card after coming on as a substitute against Tunisia.
On that occasion, a dejected Yusupha took to social media to thank supporters for helping him through one of his toughest periods in football.
“I’m really grateful for the encouraging messages from our supporters, my fans, friends and loved ones. I was always excited about making my debut at the AFCON to give my best to help the National team to maintain its amazing performances but it’s football and sometimes some decisions go against you,” said a disappointed Yusupha.