Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – 2025 marked a significant year for Gambian football, defined by consistency, resilience, and notable achievements at both club and international level. The 2025 Jollof Football Bantaba Team of the Year selection was based on consistent performance and impact throughout the calendar year for club and country.
Gaye (Shkëndija) enjoyed one of the most remarkable comeback stories of 2025. After recovering from an ACL injury, the goalkeeper returned stronger than ever, becoming the first shot-stopper to win the JFB Player of the Month award. He kept twelve clean sheets in 2025, including two in the UEFA Conference League. Gaye also featured four times for The Gambia, reaffirming his status as one of the nation’s most reliable goalkeepers.
Ibou Touray (Bradford City) was the embodiment of consistency throughout the year. He appeared in the JFB Team of the Month on seven occasions — more than any other player — and was ever-present for his club. Touray played close to 60 matches in 2025, the highest tally by any Gambian professional, making his continued absence from the national team since 2024 all the more baffling.
Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh (Tromsø) emerged as one of the biggest revelations of the year. The teenage centre-back broke into Tromsø’s first team in May and never looked back, helping the club go on a nine-game winning run after his introduction. He clocked over 2,000 minutes, earned a reputation as one of Scandinavia’s most promising young defenders, and made his Scorpions debut, becoming the only teenager to feature in a competitive match under Jonathan McKinstry. His rapid rise has reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea.
Sheriff Sinyan (CFR Cluj) put his injury troubles firmly behind him in 2025. He featured in over 35 matches for club and country, scoring four goals, and made a long-awaited return to the national team after a nearly five-year absence. Sinyan quickly re-established himself as a leader at the back under Coach McKinstry and was selected four times in the JFB Team of the Month.
Muhammed Sanneh (Abdysh-Ata) enjoyed a redemption year after struggling to secure a club throughout much of 2024. A January move to Abdysh-Ata in Kyrgyzstan revitalised his career, as he made 28 appearances, scoring twice and providing three assists. Sanneh was a consistent presence for the Scorpions and earned four JFB Team of the Month selections.
Abubakr Barry (Austria Vienna) continued to prove his reliability at the highest level. Ever-present since joining Austria Vienna, he missed just one league match in 2025 due to suspension and played a key role as the club narrowly missed out on the title and Champions League qualification. Barry featured in the JFB Team of the Month five times — only bettered by Ibou Touray and Yankuba Minteh — and made six appearances for The Gambia during the year.
Abdoulie Manneh (Mjällby) enjoyed a historic and career-defining year. He featured in 37 matches across club and country, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists. Manneh was crowned a Swedish Allsvenskan champion as Mjällby claimed its first league title in history and was named to the Allsvenskan Team of the Season. On the international stage, he made further history by becoming the first Gambian to score a hat-trick for the Scorpions, while also winning two JFB Player of the Month awards and earning four Team of the Month selections.
Yankuba Minteh (Brighton & Hove Albion) was voted the 2025 JFB Scorpion Player of the Year after a remarkable season defined by consistency and impact at both club and international level. He collected two JFB Player of the Month awards and six JFB Team of the Month selections, while emerging as Brighton & Hove Albion’s primary attacking outlet with 40 appearances, six goals and eight assists, highlighted by standout performances against Chelsea and Manchester United. On international duty, Minteh contributed three goals and two assists in six matches for The Gambia, and his outstanding year was capped by global recognition as CIES Football Observatory ranked him the most valuable African player of 2025.
Musa Barrow (Al-Taawoon) continued his strong run of form before injury curtailed his year. He featured in 39 matches across club and country, scoring 17 goals and registering six assists. Barrow reached a historic milestone by becoming The Gambia’s all-time leading scorer after surpassing Assan Ceesay, further cementing his legacy. His performances earned him two JFB Player of the Month awards and three Team of the Month selections.
Ali Sowe (Rizespor) was the most prolific Gambian goalscorer of 2025, netting 18 times — all for Rizespor. He played 49 matches across the year and set a new club record for league goals during the 2024/25 season. While his club form did not fully translate to the national team, Sowe still won the May JFB Player of the Month award and was selected three times in the Team of the Month.
Adama Sidibeh (St Johnstone) was arguably The Gambia’s standout performer of the year. Despite St Johnstone’s relegation, Sidibeh featured in 29 matches, scoring 14 goals and providing seven assists across club and country. He finished 2025 as the nation’s top scorer, netted his first professional hat-trick, and earned one JFB Player of the Month award along with four Team of the Month selections. He has since carried that form into the new season, leading St Johnstone’s push for an immediate return to the Premiership as they sit top of the Championship.
