Gadji Celi

Pro soccer player and singer/songwriter Gadji Celi has fused his devotion to the pitch with his drive to create songs. He earned a finalist nod in the Best Arrangement category at the 2000 KORA All-Africa Awards and has kept refining his craft as a composer. Early acclaim rested on tracks celebrating clubs in the yearly African Cup tournament, yet his later material has turned more toward romantic themes. Celi launched his pro playing days in 1983 with the Stella Club of Abidjan. Between standout performances on the field, he began penning sport-inspired numbers. After nine seasons with the club, he departed in 1992 to take the captain’s armband for the national side. Months afterward he guided that squad to African Cup triumph in Senegal. Recognition of his songwriting grew steadily, leading to a commission for Asec Mimosas that produced his breakthrough single, “Et Dieu Crea l’Asec.” He extended the motif across later releases including “Egypt 86,” “Morocco 88,” and “Algeria 90.”