From Baking Bread to Playing for Manchester City: The Incredible Journey of Juma Bah
Juma Bah, a young footballer from Sierra Leone, used to help his father bake bread and sell chicken balls with his mother. Now, he’s on the path to playing for one of the biggest football clubs in the world, Manchester City. According to BBC Sport Africa, Bah’s rise from dusty and muddy pitches in West Africa to the top leagues in Europe is nothing short of amazing.
Just nine months ago, Bah was playing on artificial turf in Sierra Leone’s domestic league. But after impressing in Spain’s La Liga with Real Valladolid, the 18-year-old defender signed with Manchester City in January. BBC Sport Africa reports that Bah is now on loan at French club Lens, where he recently made his first start and helped his team win 1-0 against Marseille.
Bah told BBC Sport Africa, “It would be a dream to play with these great players at Manchester City. I usually play with them on PlayStation. Playing with them in real life will be amazing.” He also shared his humble beginnings, recalling how he used to carry firewood for his father’s bakery and help his mother prepare chicken balls to sell on the streets.
BBC Sport Africa highlights that Bah’s journey began with street football in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He later joined local clubs like Giants Academy and Freetonians SLIFA, where he became a team captain. His talent caught the attention of European scouts, and after a trial in Sweden, he moved to Real Valladolid in Spain.
Bah made his La Liga debut in September 2023, which he described as “the best day” of his life. BBC Sport Africa reports that his family back home watched the game on TV, and his mother was overjoyed. “I always told my mum I would make her proud,” Bah said.
However, his move to Manchester City wasn’t without controversy. Valladolid accused City of encouraging Bah to break his contract, but Bah told BBC Sport Africa that he made the decision himself because he felt undervalued. “They didn’t care about me,” he said.
Mohamed Kallon, Sierra Leone’s national team coach and a former Inter Milan player, praised Bah as a “great prospect.” BBC Sport Africa quotes Kallon saying, “Manchester City bought him because they see something in him. He has the potential to grow.”
Bah’s story, as reported by BBC Sport Africa, is a true inspiration. From helping his family in a small bakery to chasing his dreams on the world stage, Juma Bah’s journey shows that hard work and determination can take you far.
This story is based on original reporting by BBC Sport Africa.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c20l7d4z9wqo