In the tight-knit Senegalese community in Oerlikon, Switzerland, the Sow family stood out for their love of sports. Football wasn’t just a hobby; it was part of their family legacy. Coumba Sow and her cousin, Djibril Sow, a prominent Swiss international footballer, both inherited this passion and grew up with the sport at the centre of their lives.
Heritage, Sports, Dedication: How Coumba Sow’s Family Shaped Her Career
This article provides an in-depth look into the life of Coumba Sow, a talented footballer whose journey began at the age of two when her father first introduced her to the game. He spent countless hours honing her skills, kicking the ball around with her and nurturing her love for the sport. From the age of four, Coumba was inseparable from her football, always seen with it, even in the living room. It’s no wonder she pursued a professional career in the game.
Coumba’s path to football stardom is a captivating tale that delves into her childhood, early life, and the role her parents—Abdoulaye Sow and Johanna Schmeitz—played in shaping her career. We’ll also explore her family background, including her close-knit relationship with her siblings, Fatimata and Sileye, as well as her cousin Djibril. Along the way, we’ll touch on her personal life, including relationships and other relatives who influenced her journey.
Our goal is to spark your interest in autobiographies by sharing Coumba Sow’s story. But before we dive into the details, let’s start with a visual journey through her life, from her early years to her rise as a football sensation.
The captivating journey of Coumba Sow is one you won’t miss, from humble beginnings to the glitz and glamour of stardom. Join us as we explore her life through this exquisite gallery.
Coumba Sow Childhood Story:
For Biography starters, Coumba Sow bears the nickname “Ronaldinha“. A name she got from her role model (Ronaldinho) because she wore a hairband like him and had the same teeth. The baller bears the full name Coumba Louisa Sow.
Coumba Sow was born on the 27th day of August 1994, a memorable Saturday, to her wonderful parents – Johanna Schmeitz (Mother) and Abdoulaye Sow (Father).
The formal Paris F.C. midfielder was born in Zurich town of Switzerland, sometimes referred to as the “Zurichsee”, which translates to “Lake Zurich” in English. Also, it is a city situated on the northwestern tip of the lake.
Coumba Sow has three siblings, Nayah Sow, Fatimata Sow and a brother (Sileye). Sadly, her elder sister Nayah is late. However, she and her other two siblings were born as the result of a happy union between their loving parents, Abdoulaye Sow and Johanna Schmeitz.
Now, let’s introduce you to the players’ parents. Johanna Schmitz, her mother, and Abdoulaye Sow, her father. People who ensured their daughter’s full potential was realized through their unwavering support.
Behind every successful player are supportive parents like Johanna Schmitz and Abdoulaye Sow, who never gave up on their daughter’s dreams. Meet Coumbo Sow’s parents and their little princess, Fatimata Sow.
Growing-Up Years:
Coumba Sow grew up in Oerlikon, Zurich. In her family were her late older sister, younger sister, and younger brother. All the siblings were raised in a district located in the northern part of Zurich, Switzerland.
This athlete grew up being loved and cared for by her parents and older sister. She was a charming young lady with an undeniable ardour for football. Sow’s parents, especially her father, were close to her as a child.
According to the midfielder, her father is her mentor and best friend. Abdoulaye spent hours playing soccer with Sow daily, helping her craft her game by teaching her a few tricks.
Coumba Sow’s Early Life:
The Zurich native’s first encounter with football came when she was four. Back then, she never walked without a ball. Wherever Coumba is, you will find a ball there. It was evident that soccer would play a significant role in her life because she played it even in the living room.
Coumba was particularly close with her younger cousin Djibril. They were the only two people in their family with an equal passion for football. Growing up, they would frequently play soccer in their family’s backyard. Sow’s childhood dream was to become a professional football player.
The athlete is an ardent supporter of Ronaldinho. She always watched the “Joga bonito” series and tried to master all the moves. Since she was introduced to football by her father at age two, Coumba Sow and her father have been close.
Coumba Sow Family Background:
The Swiss midfielder was born and raised in Oerlikon, a neighbourhood of Zurich that is home to a number of significant corporations. The engineering and technology company Oerlikon Group also inspired the naming of the municipality.
Our research suggests that Coumba Sow comes from a stable middle-class family, even though we are unsure of her parents’ occupations.
The footballer once remarked in an interview that she is grateful to have parents who are encouraging and provide her with everything. Her siblings are also included because they offered her the emotional support she needed to pursue her career.
Family Life:
In her professional career, the stunning female athlete has had great success. She wouldn’t have been able to get this far without her family’s unwavering support, which has aided in her development into the exceptional person she is today.
The professional player, Sow, still appreciates her parents’ help and the family members’ counsel who gave her upbringing purpose. Follow along to learn more about the Swiss player’s household and family.
Coumba Sow Father – Abdoulaye Sow:
Abdoulaye Sow is his daughter’s first coach and her biggest fan. He’s the one who teaches Coumba to be strong, be competitive, and never give up, in addition to being her critic. Also, he cheers her the loudest from the sidelines and wipes away the tears when she falls.
The photo here shows Abdoulaye Sow performing his daddy’s duty to his children.
Sow’s dad was the first to introduce her to football at age two. He encouraged her to chase her dreams, no matter how big or scary they may seem. And when she became a football player, he was the one who spent countless hours with her practising.
Coumba says her father is her rock, support, and inspiration. And no matter where her football journey takes her, she knows her father will always be there, proud of her and cheering her on every step. He also spends time watching her on television and calls her often.
Coumba Sow Mother – Johanna Schmeitz:
According to studies, the baller consistently claims that her mother is her greatest motivation and support system. When the baller had a cruciate ligament tear in 2016, her mother came from Switzerland to care for her. Also, Johanna helped her alleviate her homesickness.
Behind every successful athlete is a supportive mother: Coumba Sow and her best friend and mom, Johanna Schmeitz.
The formal FC Zurich player’s mum, Johanna Schmeitz, is not just a mother to her but her best friend. Also, Coumba Sow’s mother took good care of her, just as she had done with her other kids. She provided her with all the support and resources a caring mother should have.
Coumba Sow Siblings:
Sow has two younger siblings, whom she loves so much. She spends time with them and hours on video calls when she is not in Switzerland. Fatimata and Sileye are their sister’s jewels, and Coumba does not play with them.
Coumba Sow Cousin – Djibril Sow:
Djibril Sow became a professional footballer for Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2016. Also, Djibril was among the Young Boys squad that won the 2017–18 Swiss Super League. Sow signed with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019 until 2024. In addition, he is the closest cousin to Coumba.
The duo grew up together and did things together. Though Coumba is two years older than Djibi, they started their football journey together. They both played street ball together in Zurich. Coumba and Djiril both play for Switzerland’s national team in different categories.
Coumba Sow Relatives:
Although no documentation exists about her uncles, aunts, nephews, or grandparents, one thing is certain: her relatives are her biggest supporters. Worthy of note are her cousins, uncles, grandmother, grandfather, nephews, etc.
Coumba Sow Family Origin:
Her African ancestry is the most obvious feature of her appearance, except that she is a Swiss national. The mother of Coumba Sow, Johanna Schmeitz, is originally from the Netherlands. The midfielder is also of Senegalese descent through her father (Abdoulaye Sow).
In order to understand more about Sow’s African origins, we conducted extensive research on her ancestry in Senegal. According to our sources, the midfielder from Switzerland has roots in Malika-Mer, Dakar, Senegal.
Coumba Sow’s father hails from the town of Malika-Mer in northeastern Senegal. Please see the map below for further information about Coumba’s ancestry. Particularly that of her African heritage.
Exploring Coumba Sow’s Roots: A Journey to Dakar, the Birthplace of her Father. Zurich, Switzerland, the place of her birth and the Netherlands, the Ancestral Home of her Mother.
The Box-to-Box midfielder joins other players of African family origin, such as Simi Awujo and Sura Yekka. While Awujo is of Nigerian descent, Yekka is from Uganda through her father.
Coumba Sow Ethnicity:
The football player is associated with the ethnic group known as the Dutch through her mother, Johanna Schmeitz. Moreover, Coumba has ties to the Afro-Swiss ethnic community through her father, Abdoulaye Sow.
According to the aforementioned presumption, it is also true that Coumba Sow lives in a multicultural society in Switzerland. The midfielder met the requirements to be registered as a Senegalese women’s player due to her African ancestry (before being called up by Switzerland).
Coumba Sow Education:
When the time was right, her parents made sure that their daughter attended school. Coumba Sow attended Sihlfeld Elementary School in Zurich with her cousin. The two excelled well in football and tennis. While in primary school, Coumba played for the boys’ team.
After early schooling at the local high school in Zurich, she travelled to the USA and attended Monroe Community College. There, she played for two years alongside her schooling. She enrolled at Oklahoma State University in 2016 after finishing college.
Coumba Sow graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in business.
The athlete joined Oklahoma State Cowgirls. However, she suffered a cruciate ligament rupture after the first two games with the team. In general, the champion could successfully balance her profession and education.
Career Buildup:
Although Coumba played other sports, such as tennis, “football has always been her favourite sport.” The sportswoman could always be seen playing football in the Oerlikon neighbourhood.
She got her start playing street football with her cousin and other boys. She has always been a fantastic player, even as a little child. The admirer asserted that she adores her neighbourhood because it was there that she developed her career alongside other young people.
Coumba claimed that her father served as her best friend and inspiration. He also introduced her to football when she was two years old. Their relationship has only gotten better since then. Her father, who has the highest respect for her ability on the field, also serves as her most important mentor and critic.
Coumba Sow Biography – Early Football Journey:
The player joined a club late, as she started on the street. According to Coumba, her father initially opposed her playing club football. She didn’t arrive at SV Hong Kong until she was around 12. The street had previously served as her soccer field.
She would play for hours after school with her friends in Zurich’s District 11 in Oerlikon. It was during that process that her career skills and development began. The Rodriguez brothers and Nzuzi Toko, three aspiring professional footballers, were also occasionally present.
Even today, she still kicks with her boys whenever she visits her hometown. “She learned everything she knew technically on the street, which made her mentally and physically stronger and more comfortable with the ball. Sow said she always turns to soccer when she’s stressed.
Road to Fame Story:
She began playing football for SV Höngg at the age of 12. Sow changed to FC Zurich’s youth division after two years. Coumba graduated from a standard high school and played soccer.
The midfielder then travelled to the USA, where she played for Monroe Community College for two years. In 2016, she made a two-season commitment to the Oklahoma State Cowgirls.
After Oklahoma’s first two games, she suffered a cruciate ligament tear during practice, forcing her to miss the entire 2016 season. Sow’s attitude changes as a result of the injury. After that, she claims, “her emphasis was on the football and no longer on a life beside it.
She was able to handle her injury with the help of my mum. Though it was a slow process, her family’s support kept her going.
Coumba Sow Bio – Rise to Fame Story:
In 2018, Sow returned to Switzerland, where she played for FC Zurich and worked 75% of the time in a childcare centre. In the same year, she made her national team debut. A further year later, her transfer to FC Paris, the top team in France, was successful.
Coumba Sow and FCZ celebrated their Swiss championship victory in 2019.
Due to her missing teeth, the youngster, “Ronaldinha” in Oerlikon, gradually develops into a professional. And she keeps getting better. Although Sow is already in the limelight, she still needs more development.
She signed with Servette FC Chenois Feminin in Switzerland at the end of January 2023. Coumba Sow and the team agreed to a contract that would last through the end of the current campaign.
International Career:
On November 13, 2018, Sow first appeared for the national team in the World Cup qualification against the Netherlands. The event took place in Sheffield.
According to coach Nils Nielsen, Coumba is a wonderful player and a fantastic person. She’s always been good at football, and she keeps getting better. From game to game, it gets better, and as revealed by FIFA, Football gives her strength.
Also, the official FC Zurich player competed at the 2022 European Women’s Football Championship. The game started all three group games for the Swiss women. Unfortunately, after the first round, Switzerland was eliminated. The rest of our biography, as they say, is now history.
Coumba Sow Boyfriend:
Following our research, we realize that Coumba Sow is single. She is possibly single and has not been previously engaged.
As of January 12, 2023, Sow is not dating anyone. For Coumba Sow, there are no records of previous relationships. In addition, she has never been married and has no children.
Personal Life:
Although Coumba has many interests and pastimes, soccer has always been her top priority. Yet Sow also participated in a wide range of other sports, including tennis, swimming, etc., starting at an early age. She also worked at a childcare centre in Zurich.
Just like many other Swiss natives, Sow enjoys swimming, vacating, and experiencing the wonders of nature. The deep-lying playmaker enjoys watching football and spending time with her family. Also, it is a way of rejuvenating from career stress.
The Swiss native Sow shares her secrets to unwinding from career stress – swimming, nature walks, etc. Coumba, Sam Kerr, English talent Ella Toone, and Canada’s Julia Grosso share a Virgo zodiac sign with Coumba. Sow pays attention to detail and has a deep sense of humanity. Also, she is a loyal, analytical, kind, and hardworking lady.
Speaking of how the Baller lives her life, we describe her as the total opposite of lavish living. The goal machine avoids bragging about her money or posting pictures of her expensive cars, houses, wristwatches, and clothes on social media.
Untold Facts:
In the concluding section of Coumba Sow’s biography, we’ll reveal more information about Sow that you might not know. Now, let’s start without further ado.
Coumba Sow Networth:
Our study reveals that several elements can impact an athlete’s net worth, including bonuses, endorsements, and other additional income streams. For her hard work, Coumba Sow has a sizable net worth.
As of 2024, several sources estimate Coumba’s net worth to be between $2 million and $3.5 million. It won’t be long until we observe a considerable increase in the future, given her influence on Servette FC and the Swiss national team.
Coumba Sow Heart infection:
The box-to-box midfielder was sidelined for three months because she suffered from myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation). Sow quit football for three months, though it was initially supposed to be three weeks. It was a difficult moment, and living was hard for her.
According to the baller,
She was told she would never play again if she didn’t heal. She had faith in her body, and everything turned out beautifully. The star took tests before signing with Servette. Everything was in good shape. Coumba’s heart is healthy but a little bit larger than typical.
Coumba Sow’s Bestfriend:
The baller is friends with Sandy Maendly, her former Swiss teammate and the sports coordinator at the SFCCF. They are each other’s closest friends and frequently hang out with the national team. On the field, Sow takes herself seriously, as Maendly does.
The baller claimed Sandy informed her of Servette’s goals, and she had complete faith in her. Also, she is best friends with Eseosa Aigbogun, her national teammate. They also played the Uefa Women’s Euro 2022 in England together.
Coumba Sow Religion:
The Servette midfielder has not left any clue regarding her affiliation with any ideological group. However, Our odds on Coumba Sow’s religion is Christianity, as she bears a middle Christian name, Louisa.
EndNote:
Coumba Sow came into the world as one of three children born to her parents. Ronaldinha was born on the 27th of August 1994 to her parents, Abdoulaye Sow (father) and Johanna Schmeitz, in Zurich, Switzerland. The Servette goal machine’s family roots point to Senegal and the Netherlands.
The football athlete, Sow, is the eldest of two siblings. Her siblings include Fatimata and Sileye. While there is no information about them, the athlete loves and spends time with them. In fact, she calls her younger sister Fatimata Mini her.
Reports show that Coumba Sow’s father, Abdoulaye (not related to Abdoulaye Doucouré), was his daughter’s first coach and trainer before she began her career. The Midfielder came from a large household that does things together. She is not the only player in her family. She also has a cousin who plays football professionally, Djibril Sow.
The soccer story of the Swiss women’s midfielder began when she was four. She started her game in the street with her cousin and boys in her neighbourhood. The net burster started her club game at the age of 12 and, since then, has grown it despite all the challenges she faced.
In conclusion, Coumba Sow is a talented and hardworking footballer who has achieved much in her career. Like Marie-Antoinette Katoto, her soccer journey, success and commitment to social work have inspired many youngsters on and off the pitch.
Appreciation Note:
We greatly appreciate you taking the time to read Coumba Sow’s biography. Also, we are committed to honesty and impartiality in our ongoing delivery of European football stories, which are included in our collection of women football players.
In addition to Coumba Sow’s Bio, we have some fantastic childhood stories to read. You’ll be interested in Mary Fowler and Kyra Cooney-Cross‘s life stories. Please use the comments section to contact us if you have any crucial queries or worries about this box-to-box midfielder’s memoir. Please share your thoughts on Sow’s career and the intriguing narrative we published about her in the comments section.
