From Bakoteh to Brighton: Yankuba Minteh's rise to the Premier League

Yankuba Minteh's rapid rise to the Premier League is proof that talent knows no boundaries.

At just 20 years old , he is in his first season with Brighton & Hove Albion .

Minteh dropped out of school to make football his passion and help his parents out of poverty.

The Gambian winger made his debut for The Gambia ’s senior national team in 2023 .

In 2021 , when The Gambia made its first AFCON appearance, you were one of the fans crowding the bus, excited to support the team.

Now, you get to play for the Scorpions, and what kind of support do you receive from Gambians ? Minteh: It really motivates me to keep working harder because I know I can achieve anything.

Editor’s Note: By Way of Africa is a series committed to highlighting the talent and stories from the African continent and its diaspora. African stories are worth telling, and the culture—all of the languages, tribes, and traditions—is worth celebrating. Embedded in these narratives is a profound testament to the diligence, discipline, and work ethic deeply ingrained in African heritage. Whether born on the continent or dispersed across the globe, the contributions of these stories to society resound uniquely, by way of Africa ..