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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.<\/b><\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“It would be a dream for me to play with these great players at Manchester City,” Bah told BBC Sport Africa.<\/p>\n
“I usually play with them on PlayStation. Playing with them in real life will be amazing.<\/p>\n
“I’m looking forward to go there and learn, and to have the best coach in the world. My aim is to win trophies.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He will certainly have to be patient before he pulls on a blue shirt.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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”.<\/p>\n
“I knew something big was going to happen and he was just waiting for his opportunity,” Kallon added.<\/p>\n
“He can succeed in Europe. Manchester City bought him because they see something in him. We can see that he has potential to grow.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n