Gambia could well be banking on a huge talent in the coming years in the person of Yankuba Minteh. The 18-year-old winger, bought by Newcastle, will be playing on loan in the Netherlands this season. This could be his chance to confirm all the good things observers think of him.
In Gambia, Adama Bojang is on everyone's lips. The striker, who came to prominence at the CAN U20, is seen as the phenomenon of Gambian soccer at just 20 years of age. He is about to sign for Reims. But the landlocked country can count on another diamond to shine around the world: Yankuba Minteh. A winger, he was recruited this summer by Newcastle before being loaned out to Feyenoord in the Netherlands to gain experience. At just 19, this left-footed player is coming off a successful season with Odense in Denmark. In 21 appearances, he scored 6 goals and provided 7 assists. Hard to beat at his age.
His qualities of speed, dribbling and percussion caught the eye of Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet. He therefore decided to call up Yankuba Minteh for the senior team in November 2022. He played his first minutes as a Scorpion against Guinea Bissau."He's very young and has a lot of quality. He's very quick but he can use that speed on the dribble. He can create inside and outside, look for a combination or aim for the goal, and is unpredictable for defenders," the Belgian told BBC Sport Africa.
Feyenoord, a springboard to the Premier League?Having conquered Denmark, Yankuba Minteh is now set to make a name for himself elsewhere. The Dutch league, renowned for bringing out the very best in young players, is the ideal place for him to express himself."It's a different physical and mental level, but it's a very, very intelligent decision on the part of Newcastle and the player that he's going to Feyenoord. The Dutch league is very good for young strikers," assures Saintfiet. He adds: "This transfer gives him a bit of time to enjoy himself. We don't need to put too much pressure on him right from the start. Let him grow up.
So Gambia has a gem named Yankuba Minteh. And this 2023-2024 season could provide an opportunity to get a feel for his enormous talent, in the Netherlands. Before perhaps taking on another dimension in the Premier League.
