FEATURE: The tale of Alphonso Davies: From refugee babies to superstars
In commemoration of World Refugee Day which fell last Saturday (June 20), the Graphic Sports pays tribute to sports stars who were previously refugees but have braved the odds to become superstars, with a focus on Bayern Munich’s Aphonseo Davies, born to Liberian parents at a refugee camp in Ghana.
Realising one’s potential in another man’s land is something that seems virtually impossible for most people but a few have braved the odds to transcend from the status of a refugee into world class sportsmen.
Advertisement
Notable among them are some footballers who have fled conflict from Africa at a very young age to seek refuge either in Europe or America, and have managed to become household names.
Born in a small refugee camp in Buduburam in the Gomoa East District in Ghana, the development of Liberian winger Alphonso Davies may not have been as smooth as any regular person but that did not suppress the 19-year-old from realising his potential.
He is now a household name in Germany due to his exploits with Bundesliga side, Bayern Munich, irrespective of his background as a child of immigrants who fled civil war in Liberia to Ghana and later found refuge in Canada.
It was not until Alphonso was five years when his parent emigrated to the North American country where they settled in the city of Edmonton where his parent had to work long hours just to make ends meet.
A pupil of the Mother Theresa Catholic School, Alphonso’s exploits soon caught the attention of his Grade six teacher and sports coach, Melissa Guzzo, due to his multi talents, either as a basketball player or on the tracks or field.
Convinced by his potentials, Guzzo contacted Tim Adams, the founder of Free Footie, a football academy for the underprivileged, who immediately spotted the abilities in the Liberian and later invited the coach of St. Nicholas Soccer Academy, Marco Bossio, to check out the boy.
Bossio was impressed by Alphonso’s prowess, and at age 14 he was enrolled in the Vancouver Whitecaps’ residency programme and later became the youngest player born in the 2000s to play in the American MLS at the age of 15.
Similarly, he became the youngest player to feature for the Canadian national team at the age of 17 in June 2017, where he scored two goals against French Guiana in their CONCACAF Gold Cup. He then made a record switch in 2018 worth $22 million, including bonuses to the
Bundesliga giants.
The story of Davies is not in isolation. Professional football leagues in Europe and America are replete with similar stories of players who swam against the tide to position themselves on the global stage.
Saido Berahino
Another name that easily comes to mind is 26-year-old Burundi international, Saido Berahino, who also fled raging conflict in his native country to join his mother, brother and sisters who were seeking asylum in Birmingham.
After his father was killed in the civil war, the 10-year-old boy fled to England where he started his professional career with West Bromwich Albion after a year and became a professional seven years later.
Upon his arrival in Birmingham, Saido could not easily trace his family and had to be in a care home until his mother was traced and confirmation done through a DNA test.
Christian Benteke
Christian Benteke who was born in DR Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, found himself in Belgium after his parents also fled the tyrannical regime of then President Mobutu Sese Seko.
Currently playing for English Premiership side, Crystal Palace, the 29-year-old did not allow his refugee status to overwhelm his dreams as he started playing for JS Pierreuse and later to Standard Liège before moving to Genk.
Victor Moses
Ex-Chelsea star, Victor Moses also found himself in England after armed men attacked his parents in Kaduna, Nigeria. His father who was a pastor, and mother were killed due to their religious inclination when riot swept the town in 2002.
He was adopted by a foster parent in south London and attended Stanley Technical High School, and was later scouted by Crystal Palace and debut for the senior side at the age of 16.
