Canadian soccer player Alphonso Davies has become a global superstar, but his success story is quintessentially Canadian, says Port Moody author Farhan Devji. Devji has written a new biography about Davies, entitled Alphonso Davies: A New Hope, which is the first complete account of his journey from a refugee camp in Ghana to the wintry climes of Edmonton and Burnaby, where he honed his soccer skills. Davies went on to the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy program and then to the professional team, where he impressed fans with his speed, attacking instincts, and scoring abilities. In 2019, he transferred to Bayern Munich in Germany’s Bundesliga, one of the most renowned teams in international soccer.
Last year, Davies scored Canada’s first goal in the sport’s World Cup after helping the men’s team secure its first berth in the tournament since 1986. Devji’s book is an inspiring account of resilience, determination, and hard work, constructed from more than 50 interviews with former and current teammates, coaches, teachers, and childhood friends in Edmonton, Vancouver, and Munich. He even connected with old contacts and fellow refugees at the camp in Ghana where Davies was born after his family fled a 14-year civil war in Liberia.
According to Devji, Davies’ accomplishments represent the ultimate expression of Canada’s welcoming attitude towards immigrants and the opportunities they can find in their new home. “The backstory is so inspiring,” said Devji, who expects that Davies will have further opportunities to build on his remarkable story. A portion of the proceeds from each book sold goes to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) that helped Davies and his family through its difficult time at the refugee camp in Ghana.