Despite becoming a professional player for FC Bayern today, Alphonso Davies, a forward born in a Ghanaian refugee camp 19 years ago, has had a challenging life and his family has endured great suffering. The son of refugees from Liberia arrived in Munich via Major League Soccer and Canada. On Saturday, he turns 19, and we reflect on his incredible journey.
There’s a large plastic bag and a tiny bit of shadow in the dressing room. The players’ street clothing are kept in a bag in the sand after kickoff. Wоme𝚗 balance bowls filled with nuts and dried fruit on their heads, while a goat sniffs it. A player makes a pretty nasty sliding tackle on the field. The sun has baked the surface, making it resemble stone more than soil. The forward spins around in the dust to avoid the tackle. One fan yells, “Nice football,” and applauds.
Despite its flaws, the desolate “Children Better Way Park” at the Buduburam refugee camp satisfies international standards for a football field. All it takes to demonstrate how much more primitive things can go are a few isolated, stark clay cottages, uneven wooden barracks, and austere brick buildings. Between the barracks is “Pupu Park,” a cinder pitch with two goals and no netting. It used to be the only place where football could be played. According to Aloysius Kleah, “That’s the slum.”
Here, the 20-year-old made his football debut with his cousin, who was born on November 2, 2000, in Buduburam, 45 kilometers west of Accra, the capital of Ghana. “We were very little, but he was fast with the ball even then,” Aloysius recalls. His cousin traveled to Canada with his parents when she was five years old. They had a phone conversation, but the call ended. They lost communication at some time. Since then, the boy has gained a following on Facebook, YouTube, and TV among the inhabitants of Buduburam. He now plays for Bayern. Regarding Alphonso Davies, Aloysius remarks, “We’re all very proud of him.”
His family have travelled a long way
Davies barely remembers his early years in Buduburam, 4,800 kilometers distant. We all repress our recollections. According to him, the family never truly discussed their stay in the camp for refugees. Between 1986 and 2003, the Liberian civil wаr claimed over 250,000 lives. More than a million individuals fled the country, including Debeah and Victoria Davies, the parents of Davies. Later, they claimed that in order to find food, they had to climb over bodies. In Liberia, weapons were necessary for survival, but his parents refused to purchаse one. They ran away after Alphonso was born. As she watches her boy play, his mother breaks down in tears, remembering all that they have endured and accomplished for their son. Alphonso is still referred to as her “refugee baby.”
From immigrant baby to football star: Davies’s FC Bayern entrance marks the happy conclusion of an extraordinary journey thus far. Davies says, “I’m very appreciative of my parents.” “Life wasn’t easy back then, but my parents brought our family to a safe country.” “I would never have been a pro footballer,” the player said, if they had not had the guts to leave Africa. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the one who believes Davies will have a prosperous future. At the age of 15, Davies became the second-youngest debutant in the history of the Major League Soccer, making his debut. He was acquired by FC Bayern last winter for €11.5 million from the Vancouver Whitecaps. He was only familiar with the Bayern stars from the game console back then; they weren’t actual people. At the Säbener Strasse now, he really is one of them.
The small cabin where Davies spent his first five years of life with his parents is still there. It is about the same size as a minivan. The walls are composed of chipboard, and the windows have been replaced with chicken wire. Sunlight and grime are protected from by Ԁirty drapes. The corrugated iron roof is shielded from wind gusts by stones atop it. In front of the door, next to the fireplace, is a can of drinking water. Living circumstances were appalling then, as well as now, according to Daniel Crotai Blawah, Davies’s uncle, who happens to reside around the corner. “Water, food, clothes: you needed money for everything.” Nearly no one had money. “We didn’t have enough leaves; we just blended a couple with the curry for soup. We are pleased Alphonso is doing well at this time.
From refugee baby to idol
Buduburam was home to more than 50,000 Liberians at one point. Later on, a few of them went back to their hometown, while others started over in Canada, Australia, Norway, or Sweden. About 20,000 individuals made their home there. Buduburam developed into a town with a fire department, police department, and hospital. There are discos, cafés, and schools. Obdieh Arnold, the head of administration, whose office is a repurposed construction trailer, says, “We work hard.” Arnold claims that during Davies’ time, it was far riskier. In the camp, there was no actual order; everyone was just thinking about themselves. While plastic plates and rice and fish were brought in by people from neighboring villages, it took a long time for daily life to return to normal. “A significant aspect of social life around here is football. “And Alphonso Davies is a big idol for the people here,” says Arnold. “It unites families, clans, and different villages.”
Accra Sports Academy professor Martin Gyambrah sent a team to Buduburam last spring in an attempt to piece together Davies’ life. “Because he’s an incredible inspiration for the people here,” he continues. The birth of multiple Alphonso offspring in 2000 made things difficult for the scientists. After a picture was taken, it was revealed that Davies belonged to the 12 districts that made up the so-called “Zone Two Babies” in the camp. “They follow FC Bayern and the Bundesliga very closely, and football is very popular in Ghana,” Gyambrah, who maintains close ties with Munich’s International Football Institute, explains. The professor feels that it is crucial to share Davies’ tale. It can, after all, make a difference: “Alphonso Davies assisted himself throughout his exile. The takeaway is: You are capable of realizing your aspirations. Regardless of your current situation, you still have hope.”
A new life in a new world
The future of Alphonso Davies begins in Edmonton, Canada. From that point on, “I can remember it,” he claims. “I was shy, I didn’t dare to get in touch with others – but everything was easier out on the pitch” was a quote from the beginning that describes how important football was. Within a few days, a boy recommended that he visit the nearby club for training. “I was really happy even though I didn’t have boots or a real jersey,” the 19-year-old explains. “Congratulations – this is your team from now on!” the coach said to him following his first training session.
Davies rose to prominence at Edmonton Strikers very fast. He also spent three years as a player with Nicholas Junior High Soccer Academy, winning the championship each year. Even now, the academy’s brochure covers use his image. In a video, Alphonso declares that his goal in life is to play professional football. His coaches believed he was capable. They were impressed by Davies, who at the age of ten at the time, took care of his two younger siblings while the others played video games. Alphonso had to assume responsibility because his parents were employed: “I had no choice, I grew up quickly.”
In 2015, the Vancouver Whitecaps signed him. Davies says, “Being more mature helped.” His parents initially opposed letting him go the more than 1,000 kilometers to the seaside city. His mother has seen how easily teenagers can turn bad on television. “She was afraid, as is usual for mothers, that I might meet the wrong people and drop out of high school.” Make a commitment, his father begged him: “Stay a good lad, respect everybody.” Alphonso made a vow. Even now, Debeah Davies uses his dry sense of humor to ensure that his son stays grounded. His father in Canada asked him over the phone when he scored his first goal in the Bundesliga against Mainz in the spring, “Oh, so you’re playing for Bayern now?” As Davies related the tale, he chuckled. “I said, dad, I’ve been playing there for half a year now!” But the jabs were useful. Davies mailed a Bayern shirt to his father. jersey worn by Arjen Robben. Not his own, then? “Because Robben scored so many goals,” Davies responds. He still has a ton of work ahead of him.
Following the final whistle of the game at “Children Better Way Park” in Buduburam, Dominic Wisseh speaks to his players. At one point, the coach participated in the Liberian first division. He oversees the nine teams in the camp today. After defeating Sierra Leone 1-0, the first team plays internationally on behalf of the refugees. Wisseh tells his team, “Look at Alphonso Davies. He listens to the others and is patient at Bayern.” As one of us, he received nothing for free. We desire for him to be at the top.”
Robert Akapu is standing a short distance away, getting ready to lead his squad onto the field for the day’s second game. The 13-year-old captain responds, “Of course he knows Davies; he trains every day to be a professional football player.” “I want to resemble Davies. My goal is to one day play for FC Bayern.” He then dashes onto the field. His street clothes are kept in the sand in a large plastic bag. The FC Bayern shirt is being worn by Robert Akapu.