LITTLE IN THE FRONT, YOUNG MAGICIAN BAKARY TOURAY

By Famara Badjie
Apr 24, 2018
3 min read

Bakary Touray common by the name Nfabu is a forward, small and powerful, he played with incredible skill, creativity and strength. His height and age doesn’t stop him from mesmerizing any defender he faces, who, even if they could go near him often had no way of stopping him. He is a super star. The all-round ability and leadership qualities of the young lad handed him the captaincy at a club (Buckingham United in Gunjur) where he is the youngest player at the time, which earns him “little in the front” name. Touray always lead by true example. He is always inspirational and hard working on and off the pitch.

There are not many who can play like him. Arguably the best player among his peers in the country, being able to play football makes Nfabu looked like a spectacular show. His skills are so unique that his art is easily noticeable in the field. The lad is like a magician who performs a trick when always skipping challenging.

Captain Nfabu leading Buckingham in 2015 Late Modou Janneh Intermediate tournaament.

CAREER:

It all started on the famous Buckingham Street in Gunjur, Kombo South, West Coast Region, The Gambia where Touray was always a standout performer day in day out in street football. He then went on to represent Buckingham at junior and intermediate level. Due to his immaculate skills, the youngster is always registered by other clubs in and outside Gunjur anytime his team is not participating. At school level he represented Gunjur Lower Basic School, Gunjur Junior School and Gambia High school in all the years he spent at the schools.

THE MAGIC OF THE PALACE:

In his time with Buckingham, nick-named (The Palace Boys), captain Nfabu is the player on who the onus is always on. He palyed a pivotal role in his teams success of two cups at junior level, and five at intermediate level (one league cup, two knock-out cup and two super cups). He has been voted player of the tournament three times at Junior level and three at intermediate level, and three times finishes as runners up in the awardings.

THE BIG MOMENT, THE GLORY:

After several agonizing trials with his boyhood club Buckingham United which includes runners up at junior and intermediate level, Fabu eventually get perhaps his biggest smile in his football career. The captain and Co scoop the honour in Late Modou Janneh memorial intermediate tournament for the first time in four trials, with a dramatic win over Young Manchester in the league cup final in 2016 where he scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out. However a double was impossible as they lost 2 – 1 to their nemesis Young Santos in the knock-out cup final. Nfabu again went on to inspire his team to two super cup and a knock-out cup triumph scoring several important goals en-route.

Touray receiving the League trophy.

A NEW CHALLENGE:

After winning all that need to be won at Junior and Intermediate level Touray was ready for the biggest Summer Senior Football Competition (“Nawettan”). Several teams came knocking but, FC Bax were the lucky team to secure the services of the youngster, again he never disappoint. Despite the fact that he started most of the games on the bench due to his young age, the teenager managed to score three goals thereby finishing as the club second top scorer even-though FC Bax finishes the season as league cup runners up and knock-out cup semi-finalist.

OPINIONS ABOUT THE LAD:

His then coach Famara Badjie once in an interview stated “I don’t compare my captain with any player; his outstanding performances are never a surprise to me. He is better than Zidane and Ronaldinho when they were at the age he is today. He is just quite simply the best in this tournament”.

Famara Badjie (right) and Nfabu (left)

The club supporters will as well, always chant “there is nothing to fear about, as long as we have that little captain (Nfabu) in the squad”.

“Is always impossible to stop the Buckingham captain, no defender can stop him from doing what he can. If he was in this game we might lose” said the coach of young Man City after they defeated Buckingham 2 – 1 in the finals of Saikou Jatta’s junior tournament in 2009.

DREAMS:

Bakary Touray like many young players in the Gambia had a dream of becoming a professional footballer, “I one day one to become a professional footballer. My target is to play in the English Premier League but, if the opportunity comes in other leagues I will take it” he stated.

Nfabu’s brilliance is easily noticed by every single spectator whenever he plays football, even the opponents supporters and players will always go home with his name.