Darboe started as an infield player before switching to
become a goalkeeper. Her trophy landing cabinet consists of three league
titles, three FA cups and three Super cups all thrice in a row is giving hopes
for the country's female goalkeepers.
"Amie" as she is affectionately called made her
debut against Burkina Faso for the U20 before earning her first senior national
team cap against Liberia in the WAFU championship in Sierra Leone.
The talented goalkeeper granted us an audience as she talked
about her career.
Why did you choose to be a goalkeeper?
I was playing in one Child Fund tournament. I was an infield
player, one day our goalkeeper didn't show up and our coach Ismaila Conteh told
me to be our goalkeeper and help us. “Catch whatever you can” those were his
words I remember. There were lots of spectators and he chose me out of the
lots. I gave my heart out that day we won 1-0. That's my journey to
goalkeeping. Alagie Marong, the current goalkeeper coach was in the stands, he
came down to me to ask if I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I replied Yes I want to
be a future goalkeeper. He saw zeal in me and promised to help me. He stopped
doing everything and started to train me. We train at 3pm even without taking
lunch. After training he will buy me something to eat. Brikama United scouted
me and I joined them until 2014 before moving to Police FC.
Incredible start of the season, six wins in six matches as
you kept four clean sheets. What's your target for this season?
The work didn't just start today, it's been a process. It's
all about training, what you put in training that's what reflects on match day.
I train twice a day. It's teamwork. This year we need the league. We want to go
to the CAF women champions’ league and achieve results.
How do you motivate yourself and where do you draw your
inspiration from?
There is a big motivation that's why we all have the zeal,
courage to all go for the trophy. Our coach Mariama Bom Sow is a big motivator.
I train with Fortune FC under Abdoulie Bass in the morning and in the afternoon
I join Queens of Lamin. As a girl if you want to be strong, you have to train
with boys, this year I need to be strong physically.
Yankuba Sabally is my role model, he encourages me to go for
training every day. He keeps me going,
he gives me the small details to pay attention to.
You talk about Yankuba Sabally, both of you won the GFF
& Gambia Players Association Player of the month for May, both won
certificates of merits for clean sheets kept. How does this maiden award make
you feel?
I am very happy with this double award, standing in the
middle and being awarded something that you truly deserve, is very joyous. I am
at the receiving end of congratulatory messages and that makes me proud. It's
the first time and I am glad to be part of history.
How can Women national team's or clubs match up male
counterparts in the country?
We want to be like the male national team, they have all the
motivation and support. They get whatever they want. You ask yourself why not
female football. When you mention both, people pick male football and forget
about female football. Women football is important, we need support from the
general public, especially the Gambia Football federation. The support rendered
to the male national if that is poured onto us we will bring results. That will
increase the number of professional footballers among us. We need motivation
& support.
How is women football in the country, exposure, Quality
& ambiance?
There is lots of progress. Now with the social media
presence, kudos to Alieu and Seedou who always keep people connected to women's
football. People are knowing and seeing our efforts. There is lots of interest
in women's football now compared to before. The quality is high now, everyone
is giving her best. We have players that went to Nigeria and Senegal. Everyone
wants to be like that. It's great having female coaches simply because we can
relate our problems to them without a doubt.
You are from a culture, religion where it's a taboo for
girls to play football? Was society, your family supportive or rather posed a
challenge to your dream?
My grandmother doesn't allow us to wear trousers, and as a
footballer you have to wear trousers or shorts. The first days I went for
training she used to beat me then I cried and slept till the fourth day she
ceased and said maybe my future lies in Football. People used to con my dad and
tell him that he should not allow me play football, because of its disadvantage
to girls. Both my parents tell the community to let their children become
whatever they choose to engage in. I am proud to be a footballer. If you see
everyone calling Amie Amie, or that I receive salary every day it's because of
football.