*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 October 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 May 2023
Yusupha Njie (born 1 March 1994) is a Gambian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Qatari club Al-Markhiya and the Gambia national team. He is the son of Biri Biri, who was widely regarded as the greatest Gambian footballer of all time.[1]
Born in Banjul, Njie began his youth career at local club Wealers FC before switching to Cherno Samba's academy in 2004.[1] In 2007, he was scouted for the national under-15 team; he traveled with them to compete in a cup competition in Norway. Two years later, he underwent a two-week trial with Norwegian club SK Brann, where his half-brother Tijan Jaiteh was playing at the time.[1] Although he impressed team officials, he was not able to return at their request because of obligations with the national under-17 team, including the 2011 African U-17 Championship qualification tournament.[1] He also traveled to Spain for two weeks in 2010 for a trial at his father's former club, Sevilla.[2]
Njie joined first division Gambian side Real de Banjul in 2011 and spent the following two seasons with them, leading them to a league title in 2012. Their win earned them a spot in the 2013 CAF Champions League, where he was instrumental in their 2–1 second-leg victory over Moroccan club FUS Rabat in the preliminary round. Although they got eliminated on aggregate goals, his play attracted the attention of Rabat manager Jamal Sellami, who, four months later, signed Njie to a four-year contract after a successful trial with the club.[3]
"It was a great feeling to win it and I'm very much thankful right now. I was invited to represent my country and it was my dream to come and play but the time was very tight because we were fighting for the championship which my club had never won so it was history for me."
Njie after Rabat's title-clinching victory over MC Oujda in June 2016.[4]
After winning the Moroccan Cup with Rabat in 2014, Njie led them to their first-ever league title in 2015–16.[4] That year, he was voted as Rabat's best player and drew further attention from European clubs.[5] He also scored his second and third career CAF Confederation Cup goals that year,[6] but Rabat eventually lost to Algerian club MO Béjaïa in the semi-finals.
Njie scored the game-winning goal in the second leg of a play-off round match-up against Moroccan rivals MAS Fez during 2017 CAF Confederation Cup qualification. After a 2–1 victory in the first match, Njie scored the second goal in a 1–1 draw to ensure a 3–2 aggregate win, sending them to the group stage.[7][8] In the first group stage match, Rabat defeated the Ugandan domestic champions, KCCA, by a score of 3–0. Njie contributed with a goal and an assist.[9]
In July 2017, Njie joined Portuguese club Boavista F.C. on a one-year loan, with a buying option in January.[10] He later joined Boavista permanently.
In July 2018, it was reported that Njie had signed with French club Stade de Reims,[11] although the deal was cancelled the following day due to failed medical tests.[12]
On 9 June 2023, Qatari side Al-Markhiya announced the signing of Njie on a two-year deal, after his contract with Boavista had expired.[13]
