In this week’s edition of “Hits and misses” series, we bring you three players that have failed to fully harness their potentials despite impressive beginnings as youngsters.
Arthur Gomez:
He was signed directly from the Gambian league by one of world football’s greatest club managers Sir Alex Ferguson for Manchester United and Arthur Gomez had the world under his feat. He should’ve been the first Gambian to play in the English Premier League, but even though he remained in the books of the 20 times English champions for four years, he failed to appear for the Red Devils even in a practice game. He spent that entire four years on loan at Belgian side Royal Antwerp where he played 44 league games, scoring 12 times during an injury-disrupted career. Arthur came to prominence while playing in the local Serrekunda East Nawettan and later Hawks where he was to break into the national team.
Aziz Corr Nyang:
Aziz Corr Nyang had an on and off stint in the national team but when available and on form, he can be a nightmare for any defender. Aziz was destined for international stardom, especially when he joined Djurgarden in the Swedish top flight, but after only seven league games between 2002 and 2004, he was shipped out, first on loan to Atvidabergs and later on a permanent basis to Tyreso. He is one of the most skilful players that The Gambia has ever produced and even though he is still going strong at 31 for Assyriska in the Swedish second tier, where he played most of his career, Aziz is regarded in many quarters as a lost talent who was set for bigger things.
Daddy Gai:
Pa Amadou Gai, widely known as Daddy Gai, came to prominence while playing for his boyhood club Bakau United in the domestic Gambian first division league. His career in began in 1997 in the youth setup of Bakau United and went on to make his debut for the first team in 2005, and played in the First Division for four seasons. He finished the 2007/08 season as Bakau United’s top scorer and scored nine goals in 11 games in the 2008/09. He signed for Montreal Impact in the MLS and was released less than two months into a two-year contract and joined Senegalese Premier League side ASC HLM. A former Gambia U-17, U-20 and U-23 forward, Daddy Gai played a few games for the Scorpions.