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16-Year-Old Bali Mumba Didn't Pick Up GCSE Results Because He Was Training With First Team

16-Year-Old Bali Mumba Didn't Pick Up GCSE Results Because He Was Training With First Team

What were you doing at the age of 16?

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Hundreds and thousands of 16-year-old's picked up their GCSE results this week after months of hard graft but because of first team commitments, Sunderland wonderkid Bali Mumba wasn't able to collect his grades in person.

Mumba, who has played in three League One games for Sunderland so far this season, passed nine of his subjects, proving that he's not just a talent on the pitch.

The 16-year-old midfielder has made a real impact for Jack Ross' side in recent months and their final game of the Championship season back in May gave us an indication of his potential.

Sunderland ended a shambles of a season on a high with a surprise 3-0 win over champions Wolves at the Stadium of Light - a day that Mumba will never forget.

He replaced John O'Shea in the 87th minute and in a wonderful gesture, the Irishman passed on the armband to the prodigy 21 years his junior as he left the pitch.

It was a dream debut, completing a fine individual season for the youngster.

In terms of his GCSE results, Sunderland AFC's head of education and welfare Don Peattie said via the club's website:

"We are delighted for Bali and naturally very proud of his achievements." he beamed.

"In our Academy, education and football go hand in hand and both are of equal importance. To have been able to combine his studies with the rigours of his football career, has shown dedication and determination from Bali and I am pleased to say it has paid off with the results he has achieved.

"Our thanks go to Sir Ken and the staff at Harton Academy, who have worked with Bali over the last five years and have been a tremendous support to him and the club. We very much appreciate all they have done."

An inspiration to young people around the country. Keep up the good work, Bali.

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Topics: Football News, News, Football, Sunderland, League One

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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