Biri Biri
Encyclopedia
Alhaji Momodo Nije more commonly known as Biri Biri is a Gambian former football player who used to play for Sevilla FC
. He was the first Gambian footballer to play professionally abroad, and was the first African player to play professionally in Denmark
. He is regarded as the best Gambian footballer of all time.
at English
club Derby County
. He moved back to Gambia to play for Wallidan Banjul, before moving to Europe once more in 1972, as he became the first African player to play professionally in Denmark
, as he signed for B 1901. He moved to Spanish
club Sevilla FC
in 1973, becoming the first black player to play for the club. He is regarded by Sevilla fans as a cult figure and, at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, the most loyal fans named their cheering section (and thus, themselves) "Biris Norte" in honour of him. He moved to Danish club Herfølge BK in 1980, before moving back to Wallidan Banjul in 1981, where he ended his career in 1987.
In 2000, Biri was awarded the Order of Merit by Gambian president Yahya Jammeh
, and was named Gambia's 'greatest footballer of the last millennium and of all time'.
He currently lives back home in Gambia working as a civil servant for Banjul
council, where he also coaches young children at Wallidan Banjul.
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
. He was the first Gambian footballer to play professionally abroad, and was the first African player to play professionally in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. He is regarded as the best Gambian footballer of all time.
Biography
Biri Biri started his career with various Gambian clubs. In 1970, he moved abroad to play under manager Brian CloughBrian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
at English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
club Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. He moved back to Gambia to play for Wallidan Banjul, before moving to Europe once more in 1972, as he became the first African player to play professionally in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, as he signed for B 1901. He moved to Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
club Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
in 1973, becoming the first black player to play for the club. He is regarded by Sevilla fans as a cult figure and, at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, the most loyal fans named their cheering section (and thus, themselves) "Biris Norte" in honour of him. He moved to Danish club Herfølge BK in 1980, before moving back to Wallidan Banjul in 1981, where he ended his career in 1987.
In 2000, Biri was awarded the Order of Merit by Gambian president Yahya Jammeh
Yahya Jammeh
Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh is the President of The Gambia...
, and was named Gambia's 'greatest footballer of the last millennium and of all time'.
He currently lives back home in Gambia working as a civil servant for Banjul
Banjul
-Transport:Ferries sail from Banjul to Barra. The city is served by the Banjul International Airport. Banjul is on the Trans–West African Coastal Highway connecting it to Dakar and Bissau, and will eventually provide a paved highway link to 11 other nations of ECOWAS.Banjul International Airport...
council, where he also coaches young children at Wallidan Banjul.