The Gallant Scorpions- Ousman Koli - Steve Biko

Personal informations

Full name: Ousman Koli

D.O.B: 18 October 1988

Place of birth: Bakau

Playing Position: Defender

Previous club: Bakau United

Present club: Steve Biko

Bakau has never relented in producing footballers of timber and mettle. At a time when football has become more scientific and more globalised, Bakau continues to produce more for the country. One of these talents is a 20-year-old solid defender in Ousman Koli.

Born on 18 October, 1988, Koli started football in the streets of a town that is distinctive in producing rare talents for the country’s and the world’s most popular sport - football.

Koli only started an organised football in 2001, when he joined Bakau United after a successful stint at the school system. He spent one season with Bakau United before joining Steve Biko in 2003, after spending one year at the sideline.

The rocky defender stumbled in his first season at Steve Biko, but he later established himself as the backbone of the team.

He was part of the Gambia Under 17 team that won the July 22 Peace Tournament hosted in Banjul in 2003. The following year saw Koli and his team-mates fetched Gambia her first-ever international trophy when the country hosted and won the 2005 CAF Under 17 Championships in Banjul.

After a successful stint at the youth level, Koli was promoted to the senior level.

In 2007, he earned his first Scorpions cap when Gambia forced Guinea to a  2-2 draw in Conakry during the 2008 Nations Cup qualifier tournament. After his impressive debut, it was no surprise that Koli completed the Ghana qualifier as a regular starter in the Scorpions squad.

Apart of from local goalkeepers, Robert Badjie and Alajie Jobe, of Hawks and Real de Banjul respectively, Ousman Koli is currently the only home-based player in a pool Gambian professionals who are tasked with the responsibility of leading The Gambia to her first-ever World Cup and Nations Cup finals in 2010.