Biography of Demba Ba
Childhood, football of course
Like many children, he loved kicking the ball in the playground with his older brother and friends. But few of them have achieved his skills.
Demba naturally replaced the playground for the football field and started playing for the Montgaillard football club in 1992. Talented, he joined the “sport and studies centre” in St Valery en Caux during his comprehensive school years. At the same time, he also joined two other teams: the “Port Autonome” club of Le Havre (1999-2000) and “Frileuse” (2000-2001).
In 2001, he moved back to his birth place in Châtillon (92) which forced him to join the club of Montrouge. He played there until 2004 with one of his best friends. The same friend who persuaded Alexandre GONTRANT to supervise Demba.
A few games later, they finally met and decided to cooperate. On a technical aspect, that was also a crucial moment for Demba. Playing as a defensive middle field since then, he became a striker.
2004-2005 : The test
In this year, the European triumph of Porto, the three-peat for Lyon and quarter-finals of the CAN for the “Lions of Teranga”, will convince Demba to try to be a professional football player. He decides to spend the years in football in order to integrate a high-level club to complete his training. Still uncomfortable as a striker, he will do his first tryouts as a defensive middle field.
In May he makes a test at the Olympique Lyonnais, but the staff of the new King of France does not keep him due to his age (19 years). In September, the AJ Auxerre will give him a chance to make a test but finally refuse him arguing that Demba does not come from a football academy. Five months, two trials, two pillars of the French 1st League and as many failures will show to Demba that talent is not enough.
An additional obstacle then moves on the road to the top level: Demba drags a pain in the back and decides to return in Le Havre to his older brother to heal the injury. Dominique Hennegrave, physiotherapist, offer to take care of him and healed him. Soon, Demba obtains an essay in England at Watford (2nd division). This time, he changes its strategy presented as a striker who bring better value with his technical skills and his explosiveness. But here we are, nothing is simple and the trial of two weeks will not be transformed by the club of the wide suburb of London. He obtains to be tested in the stride by Barnsley, which evolves in the lower level and won't propose him a contract. Returning on its first opinion, the staff of Watford calls back Demba and offers to train with the pros. Expecting a pro contract with coach Wellington in 2006, Demba is stopped after five months. He is one of the collateral damage of the change of staff. This new disappointment sounded the end of the British adventure.
Nevertheless, these few months have confirmed Demba in his project and his passion. In May, he makes a test for Amiens, but still gets the same answer. In July, FC Rouen decided to give him his chance with the second team. But by the end of the pre-season, the coach sign him for one season with the first team which plays in CFA (4th French division).
Demba can finally shake the nets. Proof of his talent, Mouscron (Belgium 1st division) tries to recruit him in December. Obviously, Rouen refuses to separate from its jewellery during the season. Demba will end the 2005-2006 season with the red and white. 32 games and 7 goals later, Demba glimpses the possibilities of a professional career.
In May he makes a test at the Olympique Lyonnais, but the staff of the new King of France does not keep him due to his age (19 years). In September, the AJ Auxerre will give him a chance to make a test but finally refuse him arguing that Demba does not come from a football academy. Five months, two trials, two pillars of the French 1st League and as many failures will show to Demba that talent is not enough.
An additional obstacle then moves on the road to the top level: Demba drags a pain in the back and decides to return in Le Havre to his older brother to heal the injury. Dominique Hennegrave, physiotherapist, offer to take care of him and healed him. Soon, Demba obtains an essay in England at Watford (2nd division). This time, he changes its strategy presented as a striker who bring better value with his technical skills and his explosiveness. But here we are, nothing is simple and the trial of two weeks will not be transformed by the club of the wide suburb of London. He obtains to be tested in the stride by Barnsley, which evolves in the lower level and won't propose him a contract. Returning on its first opinion, the staff of Watford calls back Demba and offers to train with the pros. Expecting a pro contract with coach Wellington in 2006, Demba is stopped after five months. He is one of the collateral damage of the change of staff. This new disappointment sounded the end of the British adventure.
Nevertheless, these few months have confirmed Demba in his project and his passion. In May, he makes a test for Amiens, but still gets the same answer. In July, FC Rouen decided to give him his chance with the second team. But by the end of the pre-season, the coach sign him for one season with the first team which plays in CFA (4th French division).
Demba can finally shake the nets. Proof of his talent, Mouscron (Belgium 1st division) tries to recruit him in December. Obviously, Rouen refuses to separate from its jewellery during the season. Demba will end the 2005-2006 season with the red and white. 32 games and 7 goals later, Demba glimpses the possibilities of a professional career.
Belgium to take off, Demba flies over Germany
In the summer 2006, Mouscron, Nantes, Lille and RC Lens supervise Demba. Free, he makes a commitment to the Belgians, the only ones to make a concrete proposal for three seasons. For his first professional contract, Demba will play in the Jupiler Pro League (Belgium 1st division). His first steps are promising with one goal in three games. Unfortunately, he also broke his shinbone. Eight months of unavailability, and once again his mental is tested. “What don’t kill me can only make me stronger”. Demba know that better than anyone and work very hard to come back stronger. He plays the last seven games of the season with seven goals.
These are not more promises but evidence of a huge talent. Maybe too big even for the serious Belgian first division. Indeed, in the summer of 2007, the pre-season games of Mouscron are full of scout from all over Europe: Paris, Saint-Etienne, Lille, Arsenal, Charlton, Valladolid, La Coruña and Hoffenheim. These three last ones send an offer on Mouscron’s desk; “not interested”. Despite a disastrous beginning of season, they rank 17th after a month in bundesliga 2, the Germans are full of ambitions just like their president Dietmar Hopp. They invite Demba to visit their facilities, and Demba is impressed and sensitive to their project. He joined Hoffenheim with the agreement of Mouscron.
As a dream. Where only the sport can create destinies so special. Where amazing happens. Hoffenheim gets an incredible second part of season with 51 points out of 57 possible and Demba shows all his skills as a striker (12 goals in 29 games). The club finished second and reaches the Bundesliga.
This fantastic journey reveals Demba. He will score a goal for his first selection with the Senegal national team on June 2nd, 2007 against Tanzania for the African Cup of Nations qualification.
What’s more? You know it. All Europe talks about it.
These are not more promises but evidence of a huge talent. Maybe too big even for the serious Belgian first division. Indeed, in the summer of 2007, the pre-season games of Mouscron are full of scout from all over Europe: Paris, Saint-Etienne, Lille, Arsenal, Charlton, Valladolid, La Coruña and Hoffenheim. These three last ones send an offer on Mouscron’s desk; “not interested”. Despite a disastrous beginning of season, they rank 17th after a month in bundesliga 2, the Germans are full of ambitions just like their president Dietmar Hopp. They invite Demba to visit their facilities, and Demba is impressed and sensitive to their project. He joined Hoffenheim with the agreement of Mouscron.
As a dream. Where only the sport can create destinies so special. Where amazing happens. Hoffenheim gets an incredible second part of season with 51 points out of 57 possible and Demba shows all his skills as a striker (12 goals in 29 games). The club finished second and reaches the Bundesliga.
This fantastic journey reveals Demba. He will score a goal for his first selection with the Senegal national team on June 2nd, 2007 against Tanzania for the African Cup of Nations qualification.
What’s more? You know it. All Europe talks about it.
