19-year old female Gambian goalkeeper dies trying to enter Europe
Fatim Jawara was only 19 but she was already a goalkeeper for the female football national team of the Gambia.
Now she is dead after attempting to cross the Mediterranean and enter Europe, according to her former coach.
She was on board a boat that ran into trouble in the Mediterranean last month while crossing from Libya to Europe.
According to the International Organisation for Migration, more than 3,300 migrants have lost their lives in the Mediterranean this year alone.
Jawara made her debut for the Gambian national team a year ago in a friendly against a team from Glasgow.
‘Her death is untimely, but we will remember her for her great performances on the pitch,’ said Chorro Mbenga, who was the assistant coach of the national under-17 side.
Jawara is said to have left the Gambia in September to cross the Sahara and headed for Libya, where most African migrants begin the sea crossing to Europe.
The president of the Gambian football federation, Lamin Kabba Bajo, said: “We are grieving at the moment as this is a great loss to the national soccer team and the nation.
“She will be remembered for saving a penalty kick in a friendly encounter involving the national soccer team and the Glasgow Girls from Scotland.”
