From bakery boy to Man City - the swift rise of Juma Bah

BBC News

10-03-2025

Juma Bah used to spend his spare time helping out at his father's bakery in Sierra Leone, but he could soon be playing for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City after a rapid footballing rise.Beginning his career on pitches that were often dusty or muddy in his West African homeland, just nine months ago the teenager was playing domestic league games on artificial turf.Yet, after impressing over a dozen La Liga outings for Real Valladolid in the first half of this season, the centre-back signed for the 10-time English champions in January."It would be a dream for me to play with these great players at Manchester City," Bah told BBC Sport Africa."I usually play with them on PlayStation. Playing with them in real life will be amazing."I'm looking forward to go there and learn, and to have the best coach in the world. My aim is to win trophies."Bah, who turns 19 next month, speaks with humility as he repeatedly stresses the need to train hard and improve his game in order to reach the top level.He will certainly have to be patient before he pulls on a blue shirt.The youngster was sent out on loan to Lens immediately after joining City and helped his new team-mates to an impressive 1-0 win in Marseille on Saturday as he made his first start following two brief substitute appearances for the French Ligue 1 side.Newly-appointed Sierra Leone boss Mohamed Kallon, who had stints at Inter Milan and Monaco as a player, has hailed the defender as a "great prospect"."I knew something big was going to happen and he was just waiting for his opportunity," Kallon added."He can succeed in Europe. Manchester City bought him because they see something in him. We can see that he has potential to grow."
Humble beginnings
Bah grew up in the Congo Market neighbourhood of Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital.Even while he was making his first steps in football, he would carry firewood to his father Abdul Karim's bakery and also assist his mother Umu before going to training."At 4am I carried wood, because my father usually bakes early in the morning," Bah explained."I would say he has the best bread in the world. I used to carry the bread to people's shops."My mum used to sell chicken balls on the street. I would usually help pound the meat and after she took it to sell to people. I'm really happy to help my family."Bah began playing barefoot in street games and joined AIK Freetong, a third-tier side, from his boyhood club Giant Academy in April 2021.Just 10 months later, before even turning 16, the defender had moved up to the Sierra Leone Premier League.He established himself as a key player during a loan spell with Freetonians SLIFA, and was named the team's captain in his second season at the club.Standing almost 6ft 4in tall, European scouts had taken notice of his promise and, following a trial at AIK in Sweden, Bah joined Valladolid on loan last August.
An emotional La Liga debut
After featuring in two under-19 matches and one game for Valladolid's second team - who play in the Spanish fourth tier - Bah was swiftly promoted to the senior squad.He made his La Liga debut as a starter at home against Real Sociedad last September."It was amazing, the best day for me," Bah recalled of the goalless draw."I was so emotional in the dressing room and then the board came up [saying] I was going to start."When I went out I saw a lot of people in the stadium. I'd never seen this crowd before."Just over 21,000 people were in attendance, while back home Bah's mother Umu was filmed beaming with joy alongside other family members who had gathered to watch his debut on television."After the game, I saw the video and I was in tears," Bah said."I was like 'Oh my God' and showed my friends."I would always tell my mum that one day I was going to make her proud. Her watching me on the TV when I play was a blessing."
City move and contract row
Bah became a regular in the side and, in early January, Valladolid exercised an option to sign him permanently, adding a release clause of 6m euros ($6.5m, £5m) in what was a youth contract.Just a few weeks later Bah suddenly terminated his deal, paying his buy-out fee, and subsequently joined Manchester City.Valladolid said the move caused "caused great disappointment and indignation", with the Spanish club threatening legal action after accusing the reigning Premier League champions of encouraging the teenager to break his contract.But Bah says he took the decision without external advice, claiming he was the lowest-paid player in the senior squad."I am the one who did that to terminate my contract," he said."They (Valladolid) didn't care about me. They didn't speak to my agent about giving me a new contract."They didn't even call me to speak. They didn't want me to leave because there were a lot of clubs that came to sign me."
Leone Stars calling
For the time being Bah is trying to cement his place in the Lens side, while also taking French lessons."The environment is different," he revealed."It will take me a bit of time. Everyone in the team likes me and the players are friendly."The next major step for Bah would be making his international debut, and Leone Stars boss Kallon has confirmed the defender is part of his plans ahead of 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers this month."Technically, he's a really good player," Kallon said."He can secure and protect the ball, and [he has] a good passing range. He can duel very well, dribble in tight spaces and can construct the game."That's the main qualities of a central defender."Although his parents have not yet travelled to Europe to watch him in action, Bah remains in regular contact."I usually speak to them on the phone every day," he said."That motivates me. Especially my mum. When I speak to her, I remember where I came from."This journey all these months was a blessing."