You thought Scotland had it bad? Dumbuya’s dream of reaching the 2018 World Cup has already bitten the dust
AS SCOTTISH football rubs the sleep out of its eyes following an abject international break, a sense of perspective would not go amiss. Step forward Mustapha Dumbuya, Partick Thistle’s swashbuckling full-back, who emerges through the dense early morning mist at the Jags’ Garscube training complex like a soldier returning from the most arduous tour of duty.
Recently recalled to the Sierra Leone international side on account of his blistering start to life at Firhill, the past week is a blur of flights to and from West Africa.
His hopes of appearing in the World Cup in Russia in three years’ time already turned to dust after losing a two-legged tie with Chad on away goals, the 28-year-old’s sole companion on the l ast shuttle back from London on Thursday night was a sense of crushing disappointment.
‘The first game was in Chad, then we had to travel to Nigeria as we are playing our home games there at the moment,’ he explained. ‘Previously it was because of the Ebola outbreak.
‘However, there was a huge flood in my country recently and some of the people who were made homeless are living in the stadium at the moment.
‘I would have liked to have got home and seen my extended family. It’s been some years now.’
Domiciled in London from the age of five after his family fled the brutal civil war that ravaged the country, Dumbuya’s talent for football has been a welcome means of maintaining his links with the place of his birth.
If there was a feeling of disappointment that his father, who still works for the government in Sierra Leone, was unable to watch his return to the international fold last week, then there is a palpable sense of pride at reaching such a level having knocked around the English non-leagues until he turned 22.
But while — to outsiders — the very notion of international football suggests a cosseted existence for its participants, the reality for many is rather different.
‘The first game in Chad, we were playing in 39 degrees. My feet felt like they were on fire,’ Dumbuya grimaced.
‘Because Chad are used to that climate, it was a big advantage for them. I was dehydrated even after a couple of minutes of the warm-up.
‘I knew it would be a long 90 minutes and lost 1-0. The second game in Nigeria, we absolutely destroyed them. They hardly got a touch. We’d so many chances but just couldn’t take them. We won 2-1 but they ended up winning on away goals.
‘It means the World Cup is over but the next thing is qualification for the African Nations starting in March. The positive thing is I’m back in the international frame. It was hard being away from the boys when I didn’t have a club.’
Doubtless his steely determination and positivity have come from coping with the trauma of having to start a new life in a new country while so young.
Certainly, whatever football has brought him, he has earned it. While turning out for Wingate and Finchley, Maidenhead United and Potters Bar Town in his late teens, he made ends meet by gathering trolleys at a supermarket.
Doncaster Rovers were the first senior team to recognise his talent, with the offer of a contract in 2009, but a bright start didn’t last. Sean O’Driscoll, the manager who signed him, was sacked and Dean Saunders — the man in charge when relegation from the Championship was confirmed — evidently wasn’t sold on him.
Portsmouth, the club that had sent Rovers down, liked what they saw but the downward slide at
Fratton Park was by then inexorable. Already in League One having suffered one administration, those who believed the worst of the financial storm had passed by the time Dumbuya joined were sorely mistaken.
‘It wasn’t that long ago they won the FA Cup and were in Europe. Those were the things that attracted me,’ Dumbuya reflected. ‘But there were only a few players left when I joined. Michael Appleton was the manager.
‘The frustration when I was there was that, no matter what we did on the park, things off the pitch dragged us down. There was another points’ deduction (for a second administration), so we were pretty much down before we kicked a ball.
‘Despite everything, they had some of the best fans I’ve played in front of. They were pretty amazing.
‘I just hope they start climbing up the table again because they deserve it. The fans have put so much into the club. It’s still a massive club. It deserves better.’
For all their troubles, Pompey clearly l eft an i mpression on Dumbuya (below) in the way his last two staging posts — Crawley Town and Notts County — did not.
Now he is back on solid ground again. Despite having just a cursory knowledge of Scottish football before joining Partick last month, his instincts told him this would be a happy place to next lay his hat.
‘I’ve had a difficult couple of seasons with injuries that have set me back. But now I feel really good again. The management team here and the physio have really looked after me.
‘ I think that’s why I’m performing so well. They’ve given me the rest time and the hard graft. Every time I do train, I give it my all.
‘I’ve only had three or four games, so I’m not yet 100 per cent. Once I hit about 10 games, I think I’ll really be flying.’
Thistle fans have grown accustomed to such sights these past few years. Aaron Taylor-Sinclair became a favourite for his willingness to bound forward up the flank. Stephen O’Donnell, too. Dumbuya is only too happy to continue the trend.
‘Speaking to the manager in the s ummer, he explained t hat attacking full-backs was one of the main points of play,’ he said. ‘That’s why I really wanted to come here. ‘You don’t want to play games that pass you by. You want to be involved every minute of the 90 and help the team.’ Already there appears to be a warm appreciation of a man who clearly gives his all each time he crosses the white l i ne. The way Thistle fans responded to his first goal last time out against Dundee United suggested a new hero is in their midst.
‘I’ve had quite a varied career up until now, so it’s great to come to a club and settle in so quickly.
‘If you are the kind of player who always gives your all on the pitch, the fans will take to you. That’s always been the kind of player I am.
‘I’m grateful they’ve taken to me so well. Hopefully that continues.’
Provided his long trip back from West Africa has not taken too much of a toll, Dumbuya hopes to feature at McDiarmid Park this afternoon.
He may still be familiarising himself with the Scottish game but already the prospect of extending his stay beyond the expiry of his contract next summer appeals.
‘This is a family club,’ he said. ‘We’ve a really good manager here (in Alan Archibald). He’s young with some bright ideas. He’s taking the club in the right direction and I want to be a part of that.’
MUSTAPHA DUMBUYA was the winner of the McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month award as voted for by Partick Thistle fans.