Yusupha Njie is a Gambian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Primeira Liga club Boavista and The Gambia National team. He is the son of Biri Biri, who was widely regarded as the greatest Gambian footballer of all time
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.
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 2โ1 second-leg victory over Moroccan club FUS Rabat in the preliminary round. Although they got eliminated on aggregate goals, his play attracted the attention of Rabat manager Jamal Sellami, who, four months later, signed Njie to a four-year contract after a successful trial with the club.
In July 2017, Njie joined Portuguese club Boavista F.C. on a one-year loan, with a buying option in January. He later joined Boavista permanently. In July 2018, it was reported that Njie had signed with the French club Stade de Reims, although the deal was canceled the following day due to failed medical tests.
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 1โ0 defeat to Benin. He played in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, his National team’s first continental tournament, where they made a sensational quarter-final.
