From Rossi to Adams: Dunfermline Athletic’s African Legacy

From Rossi to Adams: Dunfermline Athletic’s African Legacy Continues to Grow at KDM Group East End Park

Dunfermline Athletic are in the midst of their most internationally diverse era yet, with five African players currently in the first-team squad at KDM Group East End Park.

It marks the latest chapter in a connection with the continent that stretches back 25 years and has seen World Cup players, cult heroes, and Premier League experience pull on the black and white.

The 2026/27 squad features representation from The Gambia, Ghana, Mozambique, Uganda and Nigeria:

Musa Dibaga - The Gambia: The 6ft 4in goalkeeper joined DAFC after spells at Inverness, Bo`ness United and Crusaders. Already capped by The Gambia, Dibaga has started the season with 2 appearances in all competitions.

Nurudeen Abdulai - Ghana: Signed on Transfer Deadline Day 12 months ago from Medeama SC. The 22-year-old centre-back, who made 82 appearances for Medeama, including 7 in the CAF Champions League, became the first Ghanaian to play for Dunfermline and has made 31 appearances for the Pars.

Alfons Amade - Mozambique: Born in Germany, Amade switched allegiance to Mozambique and is a current international. The 26-year-old defensive midfielder has 47 appearances for Dunfermline and has previously played in the Bundesliga, Europa League and Champions League with Hoffenheim.

Allan Oyirwoth - Uganda: The young midfielder adds East African representation to the squad, having just joined on-loan from MLS side New England Revolution. Oyirwoth will be hoping to make his debut for the Pars this weekend against Ross County in the Premier Sports Cup.

Olamilekan Adams - Nigeria: The newest recruit, Adams made his DAFC debut off the bench against Ayr United and cited the manager and the Club as key reasons for joining. The forward will be pushing for his first start for the Pars in the Last 16 of the League Cup come Saturday.

With several already capped at senior level, the group brings a wealth of international experience to West Fife.

Last year, upon the signing of Abdulai, The Courier newspaper highlighted the Club’s African history, tracing it back to the turn of the millennium.

The journey began with:

Youssef Rossi (Morocco): The defender arrived in July 2000 for £160,000 from Rennes with 58 Morocco caps, including 3 at the 1998 World Cup. He played 25 times for the Pars before a controversial departure to Raja Casablanca.

Other notable names include:

Bertrand Ketchanke (Mauritania) 2001: Born in Cameroon, but represented Mauritania at international level. He signed on a 2-month contract from French side Rennes in November, 2001. However, he didn`t make a single first-team appearance for the Football Club before leaving in January 2002.

Seyni N’Diaye (Senegal) 2002: The former PSG youth striker joined on-loan from Tranmere Rovers in March 2002, until the end of the season. N`Diaye played 9 times for Dunfermline, scoring once. His goal came in a 2-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice.

Sol Bamba (Ivory Coast) 2006-2008: Signed after a trial and became a fan favourite before 46 caps for Ivory Coast and a career spanning Hibernian, Leicester, Leeds and Cardiff, amongst other sides. Unfortunately, Bamba is no longer with us. Rest easy Sol.

Farid El Alagui (Morocco) 2016-2017: 4 goals in 16 games for the striker who burst onto the Scottish scene with Falkirk whilst also having SPFL appearances for teams such as Dundee United and Hibs.

Efe Ambrose (Nigeria) 2022: The former Celtic and Hibernian defender, joined on loan from St Johnstone. Unfortunately, Ambrose was apart of the squad which saw the Pars relegated to League 1 under John Hughes, with Ambrose sent-off against Queen`s Park in the second-leg of the Play-Off Semi-Final at KDM Group East End Park, with the Spiders going on to score a last minute winner to consign Athletic to Scotland`s third-tier.

Bobby Kamwa (Cameroon) 2022: A loanee from Leeds United during the same spell as Ambrose, Kamwa was also apart of the relegation squad under Hughes. Kamwa has since returned South and has had successful spells in the English Football League.

Kieran Ngwenya (Malawi) 2024-2026: Born in Scotland, Ngwenya debuted for Malawi in 2021. Ngwenya became an integral part of Neil Lennon`s squad during the second-half of last season and was offered the opportunity to remain at the Football Club, however chose to leave and has since signed for Rotherham United. Overall, Kieran made 36 appearances for DAFC, scoring a few vital goals in the process.

Victor Wanyama (Kenya) 2025: The former £12.5m Southampton and ex-Spurs midfielder arrived in March 2025 after the appointment of Neil Lennon. Capped 64 times by Kenya, the former Celtic player saw his spell start badly after a red card on debut vs Ayr United, not long after entering the Somerset Park pitch as a substitute. Wanyama made a few appearances for the Club but left when his short-term deal expired in the Summer of 2025.

Abdulai was listed as the 11th African player to represent the Club 12 months ago. With Dibaga and Adams now added to that list and Oyirwoth likely to be added imminently as well, that number has grown significantly and will continue to grow, it seems.

From Rossi’s World Cup pedigree to Bamba’s cult status and Wanyama’s Premier League CV, Dunfermline Athletic’s African story has always carried weight.

Now, with five in the current squad, the influence is stronger than ever. As Adams said on arrival: “I want the fans to continue coming out, because we are going to do great.”

With the focus now turning to the Premier Sports Cup Last 16 vs Ross County, the Pars will be hoping this new generation can help write the next chapter of the Club’s African legacy.