Gambia’s football legend, Alhaji Momodou Njie, popularly known as Biri Biri, died on Sunday in Dakar, Senegal, where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
He was aged 72.
The ex-footballer had recently undergone a surgery but was unable to pull through.
Born in Banjul in March 1948, Biri Biri, regarded as Gambia’s best footballer of all time, played as a right winger for the national team, the Scorpions.
He also played for a number of European teams, including Sevilla FC in Spain and Herfølge Boldklub in Denmark.
Before his time in Europe, Biri Biri played for Black Diamonds, Phomtoms and Augustines in The Gambia as well as Mighty Blackpool of Sierra Leone.
In a Condolence message to his family, his former club, Sevilla FC of Spain said the Gambian has not been able to overcome an operation he underwent in a hospital in Dakar, Senegal.
“Today, Sunday 19th July, is a dark day for the Sevilla FC family. Biri Biri came to Sevilla FC from Denmark in 1973, when Sevilla were fighting to get out of the Second Division. The Gambian winger stayed at the club for five years, the first two while Sevilla were in the second tier, and his 14 goals in 1974/75 were key to the team’s promotion. In total, he played 109 times for the club, scoring 34 times,” the club said on its official website.
He was a vital player in the promotion-winning side in the 74/75 season, the Spanish club said. Biri Biri played for Sevilla between 1973 and 1978.
“Many players have a better record in the club’s history, but few have left such a mark on the fans like him. Those five years meant that the Gambian international left a legacy in the hearts of Sevilla fans which will never be forgotten, as both a legend and idol. He would go on to receive the gold insignia of the club in front of a packed Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in 2017,” Sevilla said.
In 2017 he received the gold insignia of the club and visited the city for the final time in September
Biri Biri left the team in 1978, but those five years in Nervión left a mark on the Gambian man. He visited Sevilla many times, twice in recent years. As well as his return in 2017, he came back at the end of September 2019, his final trip to Sevilla.
“People love me, and I love Sevilla”, he said in an interview, in which no one could imagine it would be his final time in the city.
Sevilla FC have made a request to LaLiga for a minute of silence in his honour before tonight’s match against Valencia and will wear black armbands. Rest in peace, Biri-Biri.
Real Madrid C. F. Spain said its president and Board of Directors are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sevilla F. C. legend Alhaji Momodo Njle, ‘Biri-Biri’.
“Real Madrid would like to extend their condolences to his family and friends, his club and all Sevilla F. C. fans,” the club said.
