Yusupha Njie
{{short description|Gambian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Yusupha Njie
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|3|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = Banjul, The Gambia
| height = 1.88 m
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Farense
(on loan from Al-Markhiya)
| clubnumber = 10
| youthyears1 = 2002–2004
| youthclubs1 = Wealers FC
| youthyears2 = 2004–2011
| youthclubs2 = Cherno Samba Academy
| years1 = 2011–2013
| clubs1 = Real de Banjul
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2013–2018
| clubs2 = FUS Rabat
| caps2 = 62
| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 2017–2018
| clubs3 = → Boavista (loan)
| caps3 = 17
| goals3 = 4
| years4 = 2018–2023
| clubs4 = Boavista
| caps4 = 109
| goals4 = 28
| years5 = 2023–
| clubs5 = Al-Markhiya
| caps5 = 21
| goals5 = 6
| years6 = 2024–2025
| clubs6 = → Santos (loan)
| caps6 = 0
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2025–
| clubs7 = → Farense (loan)
| caps7 = 14
| goals7 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2007
| nationalteam1 = Gambia U15
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| nationalyears2 = 2011
| nationalteam2 = Gambia U17
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2017–
| nationalteam3 = Gambia
| nationalcaps3 = 6
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| club-update = 3 June 2025
| nationalteam-update = 7 May 2023
}}
Yusupha Njie (born 1 March 1994) is a Gambian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Portuguese club Farense, on loan from Qatari club Al-Markhiya, and Gambia national team. He is the son of Biri Biri, who was widely regarded as the greatest Gambian footballer of all time.{{cite news|url=http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/profile-of-yusupha-njie-a-promising-star-in-gambian-football|title=Profile of Yusupha Njie, a Promising Star in Gambian Football|first=Lamin|last=Drammeh|publisher=The Point|date=28 October 2010|access-date=17 April 2017}}
Early years
Born in Banjul, Njie began his youth career at local club Wealers FC before switching to Cherno Samba's academy in 2004. In 2007, he was scouted for the national under-15 team; he traveled with them to compete in a cup competition in Norway. Two years later, he underwent a two-week trial with Norwegian club SK Brann, where his half-brother Tijan Jaiteh was playing at the time. Although he impressed team officials, he was not able to return at their request because of obligations with the national under-17 team, including the 2011 African U-17 Championship qualification tournament. He also traveled to Spain for two weeks in 2010 for a trial at his father's former club, Sevilla.{{cite news|url=http://sevilla.eldesmarque.com/sevilla-futbol-club/35549-el-hijo-de-biri-biri-a-prueba-en-el-sevilla|title=El hijo de Biri Biri, a prueba en el Sevilla|publisher=El Desmarque|date=1 November 2010|access-date=17 May 2017|language=es}}
Club career
=Early career=
Njie joined first division Gambian side Real de Banjul in 2011 and spent the following two seasons with them, leading them to a league title in 2012. Their win earned them a spot in the 2013 CAF Champions League, where he was instrumental in their 2–1 second-leg victory over Moroccan club FUS Rabat in the preliminary round.
=FUS Rabat=
Although Real de Banjul were eliminated on aggregate goals, Njie's play attracted the attention of FUS Rabat manager Jamal Sellami, who signed Njie to a four-year contract after a successful trial with the club in June 2013.{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201306051446.html|title=Biri's Son Signs for Fus De Rabat|first=Baboucarr|last=Camara|publisher=AllAfrica.com|date=5 June 2013|access-date=17 April 2017}}
{{Quote box | width=30em | bgcolor=#c6dbf7 | align=left | quote="It was a great feeling to win it and I'm very much thankful right now. I was invited to represent my country and it was my dream to come and play but the time was very tight because we were fighting for the championship which my club had never won so it was history for me." | source=Njie after Rabat's title-clinching victory over MC Oujda in June 2016.{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201606131311.html|title=Gambia: Biri's Son, Yusupha, Rejoices After Helping Club to First Ever Title|publisher=AllAfrica.com|date=June 13, 2016|access-date=April 18, 2017}}}}
After winning the Moroccan Cup with Rabat in 2014, Njie led them to their first-ever league title in 2015–16. That year, he was voted as Rabat's best player and drew further attention from European clubs.{{cite news|url=http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/11557|title=Biri's son voted best player|first=Sulayman|last=Bah|publisher=Foroyaa|date=11 August 2016|access-date=18 April 2017}} He also scored his second and third career CAF Confederation Cup goals that year,{{cite news|url=http://www.ducorsports.com/gambias-yusupha-njie-has-sights-on-confederation-cup/|title=Gambia's Yusupha Njie has sights on Confederation Cup|first=Sulayman|last=Bah|publisher=Ducor Sports|date=18 September 2016|access-date=18 April 2017}} but Rabat eventually lost to Algerian club MO Béjaïa in the semi-finals.
Njie scored the game-winning goal in the second leg of a play-off round match-up against Moroccan rivals MAS Fez during 2017 CAF Confederation Cup qualification. After a 2–1 victory in the first match, Njie scored the second goal in a 1–1 draw to ensure a 3–2 aggregate win, sending them to the group stage.{{cite news|url=http://www.sunugambia.com/yusupha-njies-goal-qualifies-fus-de-rabat-t-caf-cc-group-stage/|title=Yusupha Njie's Goal Qualifies FUS de Rabat T CAF CC Group Stage|first=Idriss|last=Khalifa|publisher=sunugambia.com|date=19 April 2017|access-date=18 May 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://observergm.com/yusupha-njie-helps-fus-to-confederations-cup-qualification/|title=Yusupha Njie Helps FUS To Confederations Cup Qualification|first=Modou Lamin|last=Beyai|publisher=The Daily Observer|date=18 April 2017|access-date=18 May 2017}} In the first group stage match, Rabat defeated the Ugandan domestic champions, KCCA, by a score of 3–0. Njie contributed with a goal and an assist.{{cite news|url=http://www.ducorsports.com/gambias-yusupha-njie-wants-moroccan-club-in-caf-total-confederation-cup-final/|title=Gambia's Yusupha Njie Wants Moroccan Club in CAF Total Confederation Cup Final|first=Sulayman|last=Bah|publisher=Ducor Sports|date=17 May 2017|access-date=18 May 2017}}
=Boavista=
In July 2017, Njie joined Portuguese club Boavista FC on a one-year loan, with a buying option in January.{{cite news|url=http://standard.gm/site/2017/07/03/yusupha-njie-joins-boavista-loan/|title=Yusupha Njie joins Boavista on loan|first=Modou Lamin|last=Beyai|publisher=The Standard|date=3 July 2017|access-date=7 February 2018}} He made his debut for the club on 7 August, in a 2–1 away loss to Portimonense SC, and scored his first goal the following 31 January in a 2–1 home win over CS Marítimo.
Boavista activated Njie's buyout clause in June 2018.{{cite web|url=https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/mercado/yusupha-njie/boavista-aciona-clausula-de-compra-por-yusupha|title=Boavista acionou opção de compra por Yusupha|trans-title=Boavista activated buyout clause for Yusupha|publisher=CNN Portugal|language=pt|date=15 June 2018|accessdate=20 August 2024}} In July, however, he agreed to move to French club Stade de Reims,{{cite news|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201807110771.html|title=Yusupha Becomes Third Gambian to Sign in French Ligue1|first=Sulayman|last=Bah|publisher=allafrica.com|date=10 July 2018|access-date=23 June 2019}} but the deal was cancelled due to failed medical tests.{{cite news|url=https://www.gambiasports.com/all-sport/football/630-yusupha-njie-s-reims-deal-off-as-gambian-reportedly-fails-medical|title=Yusupha Njie's Reims deal off as Gambian reportedly fails medical|publisher=gambiasports.com|date=11 July 2018|access-date=23 June 2019}}
On 22 June 2021, Njie renewed his link with Boavista for two more years.{{cite web|url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/desporto/detalhe/avancado-yusupha-renova-com-boavista-por-duas-temporadas|title=Avançado Yusupha renova com Boavista por duas temporadas|trans-title=Forward Yusupha renews with Boavista for two seasons|publisher=Correio da Manhã|language=pt|date=22 June 2021|accessdate=20 August 2024}}
=Al-Markhiya=
On 9 June 2023, Qatari side Al-Markhiya announced the signing of Njie on a two-year deal, after his contract with Boavista had expired.{{Cite web |last= |date=9 June 2023 |title=Oficial: Yusupha troca Boavista pelo Al Markhiya |trans-title=Official: Yusupha switches Boavista for Al Markhiya |url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/boavista/noticias/oficial-yusupha-troca-boavista-pelo-al-markhiya-16504108.html |access-date=12 July 2023 |publisher=O Jogo |language=pt-PT}} He was the club's top scorer with six goals during the season, as they suffered relegation.
==Loan to Santos==
On 2 September 2024, Njie joined Santos on loan until June 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.santosfc.com.br/santos-fc-contrata-atacante-yusupha-njie-por-emprestimo-ate-junho-de-2025/|title=Santos FC contrata atacante Yusupha Njie por empréstimo até junho de 2025|trans-title=Santos FC sign forward Yusupha Njie on loan until June 2025|publisher=Santos FC|language=pt-BR|date=2 September 2024|accessdate=2 September 2024}} He left the club the following January, after failing to make a single appearance.
==Loan to Farense==
On 31 January 2025, Njie returned to Portugal after joining Farense on loan.{{cite web|url=https://www.scfarense.pt/noticia-detalhe.php?n=340|title=Yusupha Njie é o novo “Leão de Faro” para o ataque!|trans-title=Yusupha Njie is the new "Lion of Faro" for the attack!|publisher=SC Farense|language=pt|date=31 January 2025|accessdate=3 February 2025}}
International career
Njie made his senior national debut with Gambia on 11 June 2017 in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, coming on for Hamza Barry during a 1–0 defeat to Benin.{{cite web|url=http://www.cafonline.com/en-us/competitions/32ndeditionoftotalafricacupofnations/MatchDetails?MatchId=160UAH1VDHa2xPGTHjyhJnZ3nUl5ZHduj%2f6caANNa2YhgwBPLI37ZXIMOekfDd4f|title=Benin 1–0 Gambia [Match Details]|publisher=cafonline.com|access-date=23 June 2019}}
He played in the 2021 Africa cup of Nations, his national team's first continental tournament, where they made a sensational quarter-final.https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa -cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243295/lineups{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/59746378 | title=The Gambia name squad for first Nations Cup finals | work=BBC Sport }}
Personal life
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|2 September 2024}}{{Soccerway|yusupha-njie/447152}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2" |Club
! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |National cup{{efn|Includes Taça de Portugal, Emir of Qatar Cup}} ! colspan="2" |League cup{{efn|Includes Taça da Liga, Qatari Stars Cup}} ! colspan="2" |Continental ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="6"|FUS Rabat
|rowspan="5"|Botola |15 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 1 | |||||
| 2014–15
|17 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 1 | |||||
| 2015–16
|14 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 3 | |||||
| 2016–17
|15 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9{{efn|Seven appearances and one goal in CAF Confederation Cup, two appearances in CAF Champions League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 1 | ||||
| 2017–18
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5{{efn|name=CCC|Appearance(s) in CAF Confederation Cup}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!62 | 5 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 76 | 7 | ||||
| rowspan="7"|Boavista
|rowspan="6"|Primeira Liga |17 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 4 | |||
| 2018–19
|11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 4 | |||
| 2019–20
|25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 1 | |||
| 2020–21
|21 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 6 | |||
| 2021–22
|27 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 7 | |||
| 2022–23
|27 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 14 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!128 | 32 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 141 | 36 | |||
| Al-Markhiya
|21 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=RPO|Appearance(s) in Qatar Stars League relegation play-off}} | 0 | 28 | 10 | ||
| Santos (loan)
|2024 |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!201 | 43 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 235 | 53 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|20 August 2024}}{{NFT player|id=68313|accessdate=20 August 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
| colspan=3|Gambia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| Total||6||0 |
Honours
Real de Banjul
- GFA League First Division: 2012
- Gambian Super Cup: 2012
FUS Rabat
- Botola: 2015–16
- Coupe du Trône: 2014; runners-up 2015
Santos
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Biography|Association football|The Gambia}}
- {{NFT|68313}}
- [http://www.eurosport.com/football/yusupha-njie_prs385211/person.shtml Yusupha Njie] at Eurosport
{{S.C. Farense squad}}
{{Gambia squad 2021 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Njie, Yusupha}}
Category:Footballers from Banjul
Category:Gambian men's footballers
Category:The Gambia men's international footballers
Category:The Gambia men's youth international footballers
Category:Gambian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Real de Banjul FC players
Category:Fath Union Sport players
Category:Boavista F.C. players
Category:Al-Markhiya SC players
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Qatar Stars League players
Category:2021 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:Gambian expatriate sportspeople in Morocco
Category:Gambian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal
Category:Gambian expatriate sportspeople in Qatar
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Morocco
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Qatar