The Gambia youth international Salifu Colley has been nominated for a prestigious award in his homeland in recognition of his performances during the 2022/23 season.

Colley, who joined Stellenbosch ahead of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign, has been nominated for the Sports Journalists Association The Gambia (SJAG) Local-based Athlete of the Year after guiding his former club Real de Banjul to the domestic Gambian title last season.

A statement released by SJAG explained that the 20-year-old was nominated following his “outstanding contributions toward the progress and development of the Gambian sports over the years” and for demonstrating “tremendous courage and determination is his contribution towards national development and football in particular.”

Colley played an instrumental role in Real de Banjul winning a 13th domestic league title while he also featured for his national team at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where the country ended as runners-up, and at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina earlier this year.

The award ceremony will be held in Bijilo, the Gambia, on Saturday, 25 November, although Colley is unable to personally attend as he continues to aid Stellenbosch FC’s cause in the club’s ongoing domestic campaign.

He previously made his debut for Stellies as a second-half substitute in August’s league encounter against Polokwane City and also featured in the club’s recent fixture against reigning South African champions, Mamelodi Sundowns.