Sheikh Sibi

Sheikh Sibi (born 21 February 1998) is a Gambian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Italian Serie C Group A club Virtus Verona and the Gambia national team.[1]

Sheikh Sibi
Personal information
Full name Sheikh Sibi
Date of birth (1998-02-21) 21 February 1998
Place of birth Serekunda, The Gambia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Virtus Verona
Number 22
Youth career
Tallinding United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016– Virtus Verona 64 (0)
National team‡
2021– Gambia 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 October 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 June 2021

Early life

Sibi was born in Tallinding to a Gambian mother and Mauritanian father.[2] He left Gambia at the age of 16 with the hope of migrating to Europe. During the journey, he crossed Sahara desert and reached Tripoli, where he worked as a painter for five months. In July 2015, he reached Italian island of Lampedusa by crossing Mediterranean Sea in a boat.[3]

Club career

Following his arrival in Italy, Sibi was assigned to Costagrande Reception Center in Verona. He was soon moved to Virtus Vita, a non-profit organization which welcome migrants. Since Virtus Vita and Virtus Verona were owned by the same company Vencomp, it helped Sibi to continue his football career.[4]

Sibi made his club debut for Virtus Verona on 30 October 2016 in a 2–1 Serie D defeat against Union Feltre. He made his Serie C and professional debut on 16 September 2018 in a 2–0 defeat against Fermana.[5]

International career

Sibi have received several call-ups to Gambia national team since June 2019.[6] He made his international debut on 29 March 2021 in a 1–0 defeat against DR Congo.[7]

Career statistics

International
As of 11 June 2021
National teamYearAppsGoals
Gambia 202120
Total20

References
  1. Sheikh Sibi at Soccerway
  2. "Scorpions Profile- Sheikh Sibi, Goal Keeper". Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  3. "Sibi, che storia! "La mia speranza in un barcone. Ora il calcio a Verona"". Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  4. "Fere, occhio a Sibi: dal barcone alla Virtus Verona col mito di Buffon". Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  5. "Fermana vs. Virtus Verona - 16 September 2018". Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  6. "Sibi Sheikh: dall'inferno del Mediterraneo al paradiso della Nazionale". Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  7. "Sheikh Sibi gets heroic status after impressive Gambia debut". 30 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
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