Full name Alhaji Momodo Nije 1963–1965 Mighty Blackpool Playing position | Height 1.77 m (5 ft 9 ⁄2 in) Place of birth Banjul, Gambia Name Biri Biri | |
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Date of birth (1948-03-30) March 30, 1948 (age 67) | ||
Biri biri
Alhaji Momodo Nije (born 30 March 1948, Banjul, Gambia), more commonly known as Biri Biri is a Gambian former football player who used to play for Sevilla FC. He was the first Gambian footballer to play professionally abroad, and was the first African player to play professionally in Denmark. He is regarded as the best Gambian footballer of all time.
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Biography
Biri Biri started his career with various Gambian clubs. In 1970, he moved abroad to play under manager Brian Clough at English club Derby County. He moved back to Gambia to play for Wallidan Banjul, before moving to Europe once more in 1972, as he became the first African player to play professionally in Denmark, as he signed for B 1901. He moved to Spanish club Sevilla FC in 1973, becoming the first black player to play for the club. He is regarded by Sevilla fans as a cult figure and, at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, the most loyal fans named their cheering section (and thus, themselves) "Biris Norte" in honour of him. He moved to Danish club Herfølge BK in 1980, before moving back to Wallidan Banjul in 1981, where he ended his career in 1987.
In 2000, Biri was awarded the Order of Merit by Gambian president Yahya Jammeh, and was named Gambia's 'greatest footballer of the last millennium and of all time'.
He currently lives back home in Gambia working as a civil servant for Banjul council, where he also coaches young children at Wallidan Banjul.