Ali Sowe

Ali Sowe
Sowe with Rostov in 2021
Personal information
Full name Ali Sowe
Date of birth (1994-06-14) 14 June 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Banjul, Gambia
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Çaykur Rizespor
(on loan from Rostov)
Number 9
Youth career
0000–2013 Gamtel
2013 Chievo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2019 Chievo 2 (0)
2013–2014 → Juve Stabia (loan) 35 (5)
2014 → Pescara (loan) 8 (0)
2015 → Latina (loan) 13 (0)
2015 → Modena (loan) 8 (0)
2016 → Lecce (loan) 9 (1)
2016–2017 → Prato (loan) 15 (0)
2017 → Vibonese (loan) 18 (6)
2017–2018 → Skënderbeu (loan) 33 (21)
2018 → CSKA Sofia (loan) 12 (3)
2019–2021 CSKA Sofia 62 (29)
2021 → Rostov (loan) 11 (3)
2021– Rostov 18 (4)
2022–2024 → Ankaragücü (loan) 59 (18)
2024– → Çaykur Rizespor (loan) 15 (6)
International career‡
2011– Gambia 14 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14 December 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 8 September 2024

Ali Sowe (born 14 June 1994) is a Gambian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Turkish Süper Lig club Çaykur Rizespor on loan from Rostov and the Gambia national football team.

Club career

Early years

Ali was made under contract in early 2013 by Chievo from Gambian club GAMTEL FC after he was already capped for the Gambia national team despite his very young age. He joined "Primavera" side for the Veronese club. After collecting two caps, on 18 July 2013, he was loaned to Juve Stabia alongside his Senegalese teammate N'Diaye Djiby, playing in the 2013–14 Serie B.[citation needed]

Skënderbeu

On 25 July 2017, Skënderbeu reached an agreement with Chievo for the loan of Sowe for 2017–18 season.[2] The transfer was made official six days later, where he signed the contract and was assigned squad number 90.[3]

He made his Skënderbeu debut on 17 August by starting in the first leg of 2017–18 UEFA Europa League play-off round against Dinamo Zagreb which finished in a 1–1 draw.[4] In the second leg, the team held off and earned a goalless draw, with Sowe giving a strong performance, meaning that they have qualified to group stage for the second time in history, also becoming first Albanian club to successfully pass four rounds.[5]

Sowe started the domestic season on 6 September by scoring a brace in the Albanian Cup first round 8–0 hammering of Adriatiku.[6] His league debut occurred three days later in the opening day of 2017–18 Kategoria Superiore season against Flamurtari.[7] He endured 244 minutes before netting his first goal in league, which came on 23 September in the matchday 3 against Partizani, helping Skënderbeu to their first win in six matches against Red Bulls.[8] Sowe scored his first Europa League group stage goal five days later in the match against Young Boys.[9]

He was named Albanian Superliga Player of the Month in October 2017.[10] Sowe's second Europa League group stage goal came later on 23 November in the 3–2 win against Dynamo Kyiv which was their second ever group stage win.[11] He concluded the first part of the season by netting a brace in the 3–1 home win over Teuta.[12]

Sowe scored his first career hat-trick on 9 May 2018 in Skënderbeu's 4–2 away defeat of bottom side Lushnja; this win clinched the championship for the club with three games to spare.[13] He finished the league by winning the Golden Boot, netting 21 goals in 33 games, beating out his rival Sindrit Guri.[14][15]

CSKA Sofia

Sowe with CSKA Sofia in September 2018

On 5 September 2018, Sowe was loaned to Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia until the end of the season.[16] On 31 January 2019, the transfer was made permanent, after CSKA activated his buyout clause.[17] On 1 July 2020, he was the only player to miss from the spot in the 2020 Bulgarian Cup Final, with CSKA Sofia's opponents Lokomotiv Plovdiv lifting the trophy.[18] On 10 December 2020, Sowe scored a brace in the 3–1 win over Roma in a UEFA Europa League match, though CSKA Sofia had already been eliminated from the tournament and finished in last place in their group.[19] He established himself as the main forward for the team and became the foreign player with the most goals for CSKA Sofia in all tournaments, including solely in the league.[20]

Rostov

On 16 February 2021, Sowe moved to Russian Premier League side Rostov, on a loan deal with an option to buy.[21] On his league debut for Rostov on 27 February 2021, he scored twice to secure a 2–2 away draw against the defending champions Zenit Saint Petersburg.[22]

On 10 June 2021, Rostov exercised their purchase option in the loan contract and Sowe signed a four-year contract with the club.[23]

Loan to Ankaragücü

On 14 July 2022, Sowe joined Ankaragücü in Turkey on a season-long loan.[24] In June 2023, the loan was extended for the 2023–24 season.[25]

Loan to Çaykur Rizespor

On 3 July 2024, Sowe moved to another Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor for the 2024–25 season.[26]

International career

Sowe earned his first cap for Gambia on 10 August 2011, in the 3–0 win over DR Congo in a friendly match.[27] In January 2024, he was included in the country's squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.[28] Sowe appeared in all three matches, being in the starting line-ups for the games against Senegal and Cameroon.[29]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 17 December 2024[30]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chievo 2012–13 Serie A 2 0 0 0 — 2 0
Juve Stabia (loan) 2013–14 Serie B 35 5 1 0 — 36 5
Pescara (loan) 2014–15 Serie B 8 0 1 0 — 9 0
Latina (loan) 2014–15 Serie B 13 0 0 0 — 13 0
Modena (loan) 2015–16 Serie B 8 0 0 0 — 8 0
Lecce (loan) 2015–16 Serie C 9 1 0 0 — 9 1
Prato (loan) 2016–17 Serie C 15 0 1 0 — 16 0
Vibonese (loan) 2016–17 Serie C 18 6 0 0 — 18 6
Skënderbeu (loan) 2017–18 Kategoria Superiore 33 21 5 5 7[b] 2 45 28
CSKA Sofia (loan) 2018–19 Bulgarian First League 12 3 2 3 0 0 14 6
CSKA Sofia 2018–19 Bulgarian First League 16 8 3 3 0 0 19 11
2019–20 30 13 5 2 6[b] 0 41 15
2020–21 16 8 1 1 10[b] 5 27 14
Total 74 32 11 9 16 5 101 46
Rostov (loan) 2020–21 Russian Premier League 11 3 1 0 – 12 3
Rostov 2021–22 Russian Premier League 18 4 1 0 – 19 4
Total 29 7 2 0 – 31 7
Ankaragücü (loan) 2022–23 Süper Lig 32 12 4 4 – 36 16
2023–24 27 6 3 0 – 30 6
Total 59 18 7 4 – 66 22
Çaykur Rizespor (loan) 2024–25 Süper Lig 15 6 1 0 – 16 6
Career total 318 96 29 18 23 7 370 121
  1. ^ Includes Coppa Italia, Albanian Cup, Bulgarian Cup, Russian Cup, Turkish Cup
  2. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of 8 September 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
The Gambia 2011 1 0
2012 2 0
2013 2 0
2018 1 0
2019 1 0
2023 2 0
2024 5 1
Total 14 1

International goal

Scores and results list Gambia's goal tally first.[31]
No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 8 September 2024 Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium, El Jadida, Morocco  Tunisia 1–1 1–2 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

Honours

Skënderbeu[30]

CSKA Sofia

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Ali Sowe | KF Skënderbeu". Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  2. ^ Erald Kodheli (25 July 2017). "Zyrtare, Skënderbeu akord me Chievon për huazimin e Sowe" [Official, Skënderbeu agreement with Chievo for the loan of Sowe] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  3. ^ Erald Kodheli (1 August 2017). "Vjen Ali Sowe nga Chievo, Skënderbeu prezanton superblerjen" [Ali Sowe arrives from Chievo, Skënderbeu presents the super purchase] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Dinamo Zagreb vs. Skënderbeu Korçë 1 – 1". Soccerway. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Skënderbeu shkruan historinë / Kalon 4 ture me rekord dhe rikthehet në Europa League!" [Skënderbeu writes history / Passes 4 round with record and returns to Europa League] (in Albanian). City News. 24 August 2017. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Kupa e Shqipërisë/Skënderbeu provon të rinjtë me goleadë, Kukësi e Partizani mësojnë rivalët" [Albanian Cup / Skënderbeu tries the youths with goals, Kukësi and Partizani know their rivals] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  7. ^ Andi Deçka (9 September 2017). "Skënderbeu i madh edhe në Superiore" [Skënderbeu big even in Superliga] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  8. ^ Rinald Bregasi (23 September 2017). "Skënderbeu mposht Partizanin pas 6 takimesh" [Skënderbeu defeats Partizani after 6 meetings] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  9. ^ "Skënderbeu Korçë vs. Young Boys 1 – 1". Soccerway. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Shkëlqimi i Soue, sulmuesi zgjidhet lojtari më i mirë i muajit" [Sowe's glow, the striker is chosen as the best player of month] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  11. ^ "Skënderbeu fiton 3-2, por i lë jashtë fitorja e serbëve" [Skënderbeu win 3-2, but serbs' victory leaves them out]. Top-Channel.tv. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  12. ^ "Skënderbeu mposht Teutën, 'dimëron' i qetë" [Skënderbeu defeats Teuta, 'wintering' on calm] (in Albanian). Borozani.com. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  13. ^ "Ndeshje e hapur dhe gola në Lushnjë, Soue heroi i Skënderbeut" [Open game and goals at Lushnje, Sowe hero of Skënderbeu] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Soue: Do doja të luaja, i kënaqur për Këpucën e Artë" [Sowe: I wanted to play, happy with the Golden Boot] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  15. ^ a b "Ali Sue fiton "Këpucën e Artë", fiton garën me Sindrit Gurin" [Ali Sue wins “Golden Boot”, won the race to Sindrit Guri] (in Albanian). Koha Jonë. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Привлякохме нов нападател (ВИДЕО+СНИМКИ)" (in Bulgarian). 5 September 2018.
  17. ^ "Официално: ЦСКА-София купи Али Соу" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 31 January 2019.
  18. ^ Dimitrov, Ivaylo (1 July 2020). "Локомотив (Пд) спечели Купата на България след победа с дузпи над ЦСКА" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  19. ^ "CSKA SOFIA VS. ROMA 3 - 1". soccerway.com. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  20. ^ Domuschiev, Angel (10 November 2020). "Али Соу е близо до пореден нов рекорд в ЦСКА". wmg.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  21. ^ "Али Соу - игрок "Ростова"" [Exclusive: Ali Sowe - player of Rostov] (in Russian). 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  22. ^ "Zenit v Rostov game report". Russian Premier League. 27 February 2021.
  23. ^ "АЛИ СОУ — ИГРОК "РОСТОВА"" (in Russian). FC Rostov. 10 June 2021.
  24. ^ "Ali Sowe Ankaragücümüzde!" (in Turkish). Ankaragücü. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  25. ^ "Али Соу остался в «Анкарагюджю» еще на год. Форвард приостановил контракт с «Ростовом» в 2022-м" (in Russian). Sports.ru. 13 June 2023.
  26. ^ "HOŞ GELDİN ALI SOWE" [WELCOME ALI SOWE] (in Turkish). Çaykur Rizespor. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  27. ^ Ali Sowe at National-Football-Teams.com
  28. ^ "Gambia - final squad for 2023 AFCON" (PDF). cafonline.com. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Ali Sowe - match log for the national team". soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  30. ^ a b Ali Sowe at Soccerway
  31. ^ "Tunisia extend lead in AFCON qualifiers with 2-1 win over Gambia". cafonline.com. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.