by Alieu Ceesay in Nouakchott

Forwards Mustapaha Carayol, Pa Amat Dibba and defender Ibou Touray are making their maiden appearance in competitive game for the scorpions this evening as the scorpions prepare to take on Mauritania in less than an hour. 

The Gambia’s starting line-up are Goalkeeper Alhagie Jobe, defenders Omar Colley, Kebba CEESAY, Ibou Touray, and Gregory Sambou. Midfielders are Hamza Barry, Demba Savage, Kaba Sambou. At the front we have Modou Barrow, Pa Amat Dibba and Mustapaha Carayol.

Substitutes are, Christopher Allen, Alieu Jatta, Mass Manga, Muhammed Conteh, Omar Jagne, Emil Sambou.

Gambians have also come out in numbers to support the team

by Alieu CEESAY in Nouackchott

Debutante Mustapha Carayol has scored his first goal to equalised for the scorpions in his first competitive game for team. He equalised in the 60th minute.

Bessad Khalil’s goal in the 35th minute gave host Mauritania 1-0 lead at the Olympic Stadium of Nouackchott at the end of the first half.

The scorpions are playing away in the first leg of the double-legged Afcon qualifier tie. The return leg will be played in Banjul on Tuesday.

The host was the better side of the first half dominating in ball possession and creating most of the chances. However the scorpions had few coming from the sensational forward Modou Barrow and Hamza Barry.

Sang Ndong has introduced Omar Jagne and Emil Sambou for Carayol and Pa Amat Dibba

Meanwhile defender Buba Sanneh and Real de Banjul Alhagie Bah are both on the stands.

The head coach of the senior Scorpions has expressed disappointment at the Friday’s 2-1 away loss to Mauritania at the Olympic Stadium of Nouackchott.

Bessad Khalil scored the two goals in the 35th and last minute of the game for the host  side. Muzzy Carayol equalized for the scorpions in the 60th minute in his maiden appearance for the scorpions in a competitive game.

Speaking to Observer Sports in an exclusive interview, Ndong said he is hopeful for a win in Banjul on Tuesday because the ground is better.

The late goal was really dissapointing for the coach. “It is the worst way to lose a game and it is very difficult and painful. It is difficult to accept but we have to and move on.”

Also speaking to Observer Sports, captain Omar Colley said “We neither came here for a draw nor to lose because we know how crucial our group is. We came here for the three points.”

A disappointed looking Colley is hopeful that the scorpions can get a win in Banjul.

By Alieu Ceesay in Nouackhott

Gambia and Leeds United winger Mustapha Carayol’s dream to score his first goal on his competitive debut for the Scorpions was realised on Friday.

Carayol, 27, on loan from Middlesrough, ran the entire length of the
field and slot home with his right foot on the hour mark to ensure parity for the Scorpions in a 2-1 loss away to Mauritania at the Olympic Stadium in Nouakchott. The hosts had gone ahead when Bessad Khalil capitalised on a Kebba Ceesay error to beat past Modou Jobe in
the Gambian goal and slot home into an empty net.
“I am excited and looking forward to the game against Mauritania and have a play. I think it is going to be a very good game,” Carayol told Observer Sports before the game.
“Every game is a must win game because you don’t want to go and play to lose. We are going to try and win the game because we have a lot of attacking players.”
Carayol further told Observer Sports in a pre-game interview that he was looking forward to scoring his first goal, which is very important for him and he did exactly that.
He was denied a deserved brace when he had a second goal incorrectly ruled out for off sight by the Liberian referee. At that point, the game was evenly poised in the balance with the scores tied at 1-1 and
the Maurabitones went on to capitalise on a slipup by substitute Muhammed Conteh to snatch a 96th minute winner through Bessad.
The former Lincoln City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Huddersfield Town forward made his first ever appearance for the Scorpions in a 1-1 friendly draw with Uganda in June 2015. He didn’t make the match day squad and had to watch the game from the stands as the Scorpions
opened their campaign in the Afcon qualifiers with a goalless stalemate in South Africa few days later.
He failed to make the subsequent squads until his recent return but as he remembers Nouakchott’s Olympic Stadium as the stadium where he scored his first goal in an international game, Muzzy would be the biggest star attraction when the Scorpions host the Maurabitones in
the return leg on Tuesday at Bakau’s Independence Stadium.
Carayol, who was taken off in the second half, described Coach Sang Ndong as “a very good coach who knows what he wants and sets his team
to play good football.”

by Alieu Ceesay in Nouakchott

by Modou Lamin Jammeh

A young Gambian talented and upcoming football star, Bun Sanneh, who goes by his football sobriquet Best is making a name for himself in the Senegalese Premier League.

The Brikama born St Augustine’ graduate is playing for one of the best clubs in the Senegalese League, Generation Foot, after signing a one-year deal with the side last year. The 17-year-old star is a product of Greater Tomorrow Football Academy of Brikama and an ex-player of Real de Banjul F.C.

In an interview with Observer Light, Sanneh said he was born to be a footballer, adding that the feelings would forever stay in him. “I started playing football since I was young and played and won so many tournaments and finals. I have learnt a lot about football, especially with my current team, Generation Foot, and when I travelled to Italy for one football project last year,” he stated.

Best added that he is part of Gambia’s U-20 team that would play against Sierra Leone on April, 2, 2016 in the qualifiers of the African Youth Championship. “It is really a great pleasure to play for my country’s national team and will continue doing my utmost best to maintain the trust and confidence that my fans have for me,” he noted.

by Omar Wally & Hassan Jallow

The Scorpions entertain Maurabitones on Friday in the third game of the Afcon qualifiers at Nouakchott’s Olympic Stadium. Ahead of the crucial game, Gambian artistes have sent good luck messages to the team as the Scorpions hope for glory this weekend.

Here are excerpts:

Jaliba Kuyateh

I thank God Almighty that The Gambia is going to play an international game. Mauritania is a country we share so many things in common with and majority of the shop owners in the country are Mauritanians. We also have great connection with them; most of them have families in The Gambia. The game would strengthen our relations.

Alagie Mbaye: Gambia and Mauritania have a long existing relationship. However, the two teams, Gambia’s eleven players and Mauritian’s eleven players would strengthen that relationship when they behave well. We expect victory and God willing Gambia will win Insaa Allah.

Sambou Susso: As a number one fan of the Scorpions, I am wishing them good luck and pray that God the Almighty move the players and the country forward. This is a positive step in Gambia’s football. Good luck to the Scorpions; forward with The Gambia.

Sherrifo Joberteh: I urged the Scorpions and the Gambian fans to maintain peace even after the game. Our players should keep to the good reputation The Gambia and Gambians have in the world. This is not the first time Gambia is going international so let them keep it up.

Muhammed Susso: We hope for victory and we will surly get it God willing. I already started praying for the Scorpions. Let the boys keep it burning, slowly but surely we will get where we want the team to be internationally.

Gibou Bala-Gaye alias GEE: I wish them luck. I’ve got high hopes with the current Gambia football team, let’s support and pray for these guys. I’m sure that’s all that they need because if its talent, they already have it.

Bai Babu: I wish them all the best of luck. I appreciate the boys because they are all great players especially Mo Barrow who gave me the mobile phone I’m currently using. Good luck to them.

Singateh: I wish them all the best of luck. I will be here [Oslo, Norway] watching and cheering for them. I wish the new coach all the best of luck. Let’s all give him the best of support and hopefully he will make it because he knows the boys better.

ENC: We have hope in them and we’re going for a proud defeat, let’s do it for the Red, White, Blue, White, and Green. I’ll personally come to watch the game.

Dr. Shaka of Born Africans: My message to the Scorpions is to keep pushing forward and give it their best shot in every game. We love what they are doing and we will support them through thick and thin. I wish them all the best in the future games and hopefully in the years to come we will start getting more players playing for the European club teams. A big thank you to all the players, coaches and officials representing our beloved country in the football scene. Progress, Peace and Prosperity.

Bilal of Poetic X: Let them all rally behind Sang and listen to him since he is the chosen one to take them to the qualifiers. Let Sang also bring the players who really deserve to be in the team. No “mboka nice” or favours. Early preparation is also very important because they should have a collective team. Wishing them a good luck and urging them to make us proud.

When Gambia’s Greatest Footballer of All Time, Biri Biri, missed a crucial penalty for the Scorpions in a 1983 Zone II Championship in Mauritania, few, at the time, would’ve thought it would make the headlines almost 33 years later.

Well that story has come under the spotlight this week after the legendary forward claimed that he took the kick because all of his teammates were afraid to put themselves forward.

“We have been beating Mauritania numerous times and in the few occasions they defeated us, I remember I took and lost a crucial penalty in Nouakchott because all my teammates refused to take it. Even the captain, Saihou Sarr, was afraid but as the eldest player I decided to take it,” Biri told Observer Light recently.

But veteran sports journalist and acclaimed football commentator, Tijan Masanneh Ceesay, shed further light on that episode. TMC, as he I fondly called, reported on that particular game in Nouakchott. He recently authored a book on Gambian football capturing events between 1975 and 1985.

That particular game was well documented in Tijan’s book and reacting to Biri’s claims this week, the retired journalist disclosed that the match was played between The Gambia and Guinea Bissau on July 15 1983 and not Mauritania as Biri claimed. He said victory in that game would’ve put us in the knockout stages of the competition.

“At no one time was anyone scared to take it, Bai Malleh [Wadda] was vying for the leading goal scorer so that would not make sense, Malleh was one of the best penalty takers at the time. The late Saul Samba even took the ball from the spot begging Saihou Sarr for Biri not to take it because he was horrible from the spot,” Ceesay countered.

Ceesay’s narration brought back memories of another crucial miss PK for Gambia at the 2005 U-17 World Cup in Peru. With The Gambia losing 2-0 to the Netherlands and starring elimination in the face, the Baby Scorpions were awarded a lifeline with a penalty. Modou Ceesay was the first to the ball ahead of the regular taker Ousman Jallow and he missed, thereby, costing us a place in the knockout stages.

Tijan Masanneh Ceesay further commented on the Biri miss: “Another conspiracy theory that floated amongst the players was Saihou who was Player/Coach and not the captain as Biri alluded to wanted to deny Malleh the leading goal scorer.”

An unfortunate incident occurred at the Scorpions’ training session when a fight erupted between defender Kebba Ceesay and forward Omar Jagne.

Observer Sports could not establish the cause of the fight, but many that turned up to watch the team looked disappointed at the incident.

Jagne was later attended to by the medical team.

“That’s normal in football and is a sign that they are hungry to do well. Let’s just take the positive out of it,” Coach Sang Ndong told Observer Sports even though he described it as unfortunate and apologised to the public.

Sang further described it as embarrassing and discouraging.

by Alieu Ceesay

Head Coach Sang Ndong has promised that the Scorpions are going to play a much better game today following their 2-1 loss to Mauritania last Friday.

The squad will host the return leg of the double-legged Afcon qualifier against Mauritania at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

Addressing the press yesterday after the team’s final training session, Ndong said he was hopeful for a better result.

“We are going to play against a very good Mauritanian side but we also have our own arms in our hands.”

“It is not only about qualifying but it is about rebuilding so that we can have a formidable side,” he added.

Defender Buba Sanneh was replaced by Gregory Sambou just before kick off in Nouakchott and according to the head coach, the Denmark-based defender was not fit for the game. “He is still not 100% fit.”

With Mauritanian fans already in country to support their team, the Scorpions’ Coach called on the fans to come out and support the national team.

by Alieu Ceesay

The Super Nawettan Organising Committee (SOC) on Monday decided to lift the three-year ban on the Brikama Zonal Team following its recent meeting at The Gambia Football Federation.

According to a press release sent to Observer Sports, the lifting of the ban on Brikama was unanimously agreed by all participating zones after series of meetings on the issue.

In the same vein, the Committee has replaced Brikama’s ban with a D30, 000 fine and banned the town from playing in their own field for one year, commencing from the forthcoming Super Nawettan tournament.

The Committee also called on all zones to adhere to the rules and regulations governing the Super Nawettan and to always exercise discipline and fair play.

by Arfang MS Camara

Zenith Bank on Friday joined Guaranty Trust Bank and Skye Bank into the last four of the ongoing inter-bank football tournament, after beating Standard Chartered Bank 4-3 on a post-match penalty shoot-out, following a 1-1 draw in the regulation time.

In a game played on the artificial turf of the Father Gough Football Ground, in Manjai Kunda, Omar Bah scored to give Standard Chartered Bank a 27th minute lead but Alieu Bah ensured parity in the 74th minute to force the game into the gruesome post-match penalty shoot-out.

Meanwhile at the time of going to press, Central Bank of the Gambia was locking horns with Trust Bank Limited to complete the lineup for the semifinal of the tournament.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports, the Chairman of the tournament, Yaya Cham, said the aim of the tournament is to bring the banking fraternity together and share understanding amongst themselves.

He said the tournament is named after the late Central Bank Governor Famara Jatta, who was a dynamic and stronghold leader in the banking industry.

by Arfang MS Camara

The head coach of the senior Scorpions has expressed disappointment at Friday’s 2-1 away loss to Mauritania at the Olympic Stadium of Nouakchott.

Bessad Khalil scored the two goals in the 35th and last minute of the game for the host side. Muzzy Carayol equalised for the Scorpions in the 60th minute in his maiden appearance for the scorpions in a competitive game.

Speaking to Observer Sports in an exclusive interview, Ndong said he is hopeful for a win in Banjul on Tuesday because the ground is better.

“The late goal was really dissapointing for the coach. It is the worst way to lose a game and it is very difficult and painful. It is difficult to accept but we have to and move on,” he said.

Also speaking to Observer Sports, Captain Omar Colley said, 1“We neither came here for a draw nor to lose because we know how crucial our group is. We came here for the three points.”

A disappointed looking Colley is hopeful that the Scorpions can get a win in Banjul.

by Alieu Ceesay

Trust Bank Limited (TBL) on Monday completed the semifinal lineup for the ongoing inter-bank football tournament following a 2-0 win over Central Bank of the Gambia (CBG) in a game played at the Father Gough Sports Complex in Manjai Kunda.

Trust Bank Limited now joined Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank and Skye Bank into the last four of the competition. The tournament which is name after the later Governor of CBG, Famara Jatta, is aimed at bringing the country’s banking fraternity together to share the same understanding amongst others.

Meanwhile in the semifinal lineup to be played on Friday, GTBank faces Zenith at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, while Trust Bank entertain Skye Bank in Manjai.

by Arfang MS Camara

Two of the country’s most promising long distance runners, Lebage Sanneh of The Gambia Armed Forces and Sohna Saho of The Gambia Police Force have emerged winners of the 21km Bajana Marathon held on Saturday in the West Coast Regiuon settlement of Foni Bajana.

Organised by The Gambia Volunteers Trust, the fourth edition attracted a good participation of athletes and spectators.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports, Sohna Saho said she has been training very hard ahead of the marathon.

Sohna who was running the 21km race in the Bajana marathon for the first time promised to improve on her timing.

Binta Darboe also of the Gambia Police Force emerged second position in the 21km in the female category. She expressed delight after coming out with the second position and went on to thank her Coach Opa Keita.

Lebage Sanneh attributed his success to hard work.

Samba Bah finished second position and speaking to Observer Sports, he expressed delight at the outcome despite what turned to be a surprise to many, considering the fact that he has won his previous races in the marathon.

However, Bah promised to bounce back at next year’s edition after the disappointing finish.

Mam Touray of Barra finished first position in the 10km race. She also expressed satisfaction at her performance.

by Jainaba D Jatta

Coach Omar Sise and charges early this morning left the country to Free Town, Sierra Leone for the first leg of the double-legged U-20 African Cup of Nation qualifiers against Sierra Leone this weekend. 

In an interview with Observer Sports ahead of the team’s departure, Sise said the preparation for the game has been going on well. “At the moment, we are injury-free and the support from GFF is extremely well. I am travelling with 20 players,” he told this paper.

The qualifier and win for him in first game, he said is very important. “So we are going there to fight for the three points. I have believed in my boys and we are well prepared.”

by Alieu Ceesay

Observer Sports has been sounding the reaction of dignitaries that turned-up yesterday evening to watch the Scorpions play at home against the Mourabitones of Mauritania in the ongoing Afcon 2017 qualifiers.

The Scorpions came into the game with the hope of overturning a 2-1 deficit in Nouachchott last Friday.

Lamin Kaba Bajo, President of The Gambia Football Federation said he was impressed with the improvement on the side of the boys, saying the ‘Scorpions did performed very well’. “We have had so many opportunities to score goals so that we retain the three points, but unfortunately that is how it happened and it is football.”

The GFF boss, who was surprised by the fans large turnout, said the turnout was manifestation of the renewed confidence the fans have in the team. “We wish this will continue and be sustained so that together we rebuild the team that we desire,” Bajo told Observer Sports.

Also sharing his opinion to Observer Sports after the game, Alieu K Jammeh, the Minister of Youth and Sports said he was generally satisfied and thanked the players for the performance. He renewed government’s continues support to the development of football.

The performance of the home-based players, Minister Jammeh, said is an indication that there are good local based talents in abundance.

As to whether the country is on course as far the rebuilding and restructuring is concerned, Jammeh replied in the positive, noting that glory does not come overnight. “It is not only about getting the result, but also getting the proper structure in place, which includes facilities, good managers to manage our football and then getting grassroots and school sports revived.”

Also among the dignitaries at the VIP stand was Hon. Seedy SK Njie, nominated National Assembly member. He told Observer Sports that he was impressed with the performance despite the disappointing results. “Both teams have performed well and I am now looking forward to our next two games at home against South Africa and away to Cameroon.”

Alhaji Modou Njie alias Biri Biri is a veteran footballer who had played against Mauritania. In a post chat with this paper, he opined that the team ‘were not more aggressive’ to score goals. “It could have been better with what I saw in the 90 minutes.”

On the much talked about rebuilding and rebranding of Gambian football, the Gambia’s greatest footballer of all time said the country has to focus on the young professional players and build them for a greater team in the future. “We were all here to make sure the team wins because we used to beat Mauritania home and away. We should try to learn from Mauritania.”

Omar Sey, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare said he saw a ‘determined and courageous squad’, while calling for support to the team and the coach.

Willy Abraham is the President of domestic league football club Real De Banjul. He told Observer Sports that it is high time much attention is given to local-based players. “The game was very poor and we need to stop bringing these players from Europe and concentrate on our local-based because we have better players who are willing to die for the country. We have to stop wasting time with these foreign-based players,” he opined.

by Alieu Ceesay & Arfang MS Camara

The head coach of the Senior Scorpions has expressed satisfaction with the team’s improvement between the last away game in Nouachchott on Friday and the return leg yesterday at the Independence stadium in Bakau.

Coach Sang Ndong was speaking during a post-match press conference following the Scorpions’ goalless draw at home against the Mourabitones of Mauritania at the Independence Stadium in Bakau in the return match of the double-legged Afcon 2017 qualifier.

The Scorpions returned to Banjul last Saturday after a 2-1 defeat in Nouackchott and were hoping for a win in Banjul.

Ngong said he would have love to win the game as the rebuilding and rebranding for the team just kick-started.

Coach Ndong who made a single change in his starting line-up bringing in Alieu Jatta for Ibou Touray said the team’s intention was to get a win and put smile on the faces of the fans.

Quite aware of the huge task that comes with coaching any national team, the former Hawks coach said he is looking forward to a much better results.

The Scorpions are currently sitting bottom of their group with only 2 points after four games.

On his part, the head coach of Mauritania, Corentin Martins equally believed his side could have get away with the three points if the opportunities were converted. However, he admitted that the Scorpions were the better side in the second half of the game.

On his team’s chance of qualifying, he replied, “If we want to talk about qualification is going to be very difficult and is a bit early because we have a home game against Cameroon and we are going to face South Africa as well.”

by Arfang MS Camara & Alieu Ceesay

Manduar Football Academy in Kombo Central District of the West Coast Region over the weekend got new football gear from Eddy Potters and wife Wil Potters from Netherlands.

The new football gear presented included 15 full sets of jerseys, 3 boxes of first Aid items, 49 brand new footballs, 15 brand new football boots, 6 wooning drinking bottles for players, protective gear for players’ knees and 200 football medals.

As part of the presentation of the football items to the academy boys and girls, the Netherlands couple organised friendly football matches between two female teams namely; Golden Sisters FC and One Force FC and also between two male teams, United Brothers FC and One Force FC.

In the said matches, Golden Sisters won One Force Sisters 2-1, while United Brothers defeated Once Forces FC 2-0.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Eddy Potters said the main reason why they presented the football items to the academy was to promote grassroots football in the country.

“We are assisting the community of Manduar five years ago in the areas of health, education and sports and it is our hope to continue with the good spirit,” Eddy Potters said.

Their Gambian counterpart, Dominic Mendy commended Eddy and his wife Wil Potters for their help to the community of Manduar, which started way back in 2011.

Mendy described the couple as true friends to the community of Manduar, while calling on his community to always appreciate the good gesture of their friends.

According to Mendy, they organised the friendly matches only to show their gratitude and appreciation to the couple whose contribution to the development of Manduarr in health, education and sports, he said cannot be over emphasised.

by Lamin B. Darboe

As The Gambia begins its bid to qualify for a third African Youth Champions (AYC) in 2017, the National U-20 Team will start its march for a place at the Zambia event with a double legged preliminary qualifier against Sierra Leone on Saturday.

Omar Sise’s charges will play the first leg in Makeni, with the return leg in Banjul three weeks later on April 23. The winner over the two legs would play Morocco in the second round for a place in the third and final round of qualifiers.

The team is dubbed the future of Gambian football and with the Scorpions all but out of contention for a place in the 2017 Afcon, all hopes lie on them.

The squad, made up of 20 players, left Banjul in the early hours of Wednesday morning and had a night stop in Casablanca, Morocco, where they were expected to board a flight destined for Sierra Leone this morning.

“The boys are in good shape and doing well. We are now preparing to go for our dinner,” Sise told Observer Sports yesterday evening from Cassablanca.

About Makeni

Makeni is the fourth largest city in Sierra Leone (after Freetown, Bo and Kenema) and the largest city and economic center of the Northern Province. Makeni is the capital and administrative center of Bombali District. The city lies approximately 137 kilometers (85 miles) east of Freetown. Makeni is a major commercial, educational, transportational and economic center. The city had a population of 80,840 in the 2004 census and a current estimate of 112,489

by Alieu Ceesay

With the world football governing body, FIFA, already pumping USD250, 000 or more (over D10M) into the coffers of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) annually, aside from The Gambia Government’s massive financial support, Observer Sports has been sounding the opinion of stakeholders as to what next for Gambian football, considering the string of poor results in recent years.

There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel for the country’s football, something that many have attributed to poor administration and inadequate technical backup for the national teams. While others have stated no other option than proposing Gambia’s temporary withdrawal from international competitions, some have opined that young professionals and local-based players need to be given much attention.

The 2-1 away loss to Mauritania in Nouakchott and the goalless draw in Banjul on Tuesday at the Independence Stadium in Bakau signaled the need for the GFF to put its house in order.

The annual subvention from FIFA, dubbed Financial Assistance Programme (FAP), was established by FIFA in 1999 and is designed to motivate and empower the associations and confederations to organise development programmes that meet their needs and strengthen football and its administration in the long term, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, youth football and technical development.

The President of FIFA, Gianno Infantino, in a dramatic move had also promised during the FIFA pre-election campaign to increase the FAP amount to over US$1, 250, 000 per annum for each member association.

The amount is subject to approval during this year’s congress in Mexico and if it turns out to be the case, the GFF will receive a total of US$5M in four years.

Speaking to Observer Sports, Alhaji Momodou Njie, alias Biri Biri, Gambia’s greatest footballer of all times, opined that there is the need to reorganise and have people who know the game involved and engaged in matters relating to the game. “We have to reorganise and involve ex players. We should also focus much attention on the young professionals and the local-based players and we should understand that building a team is not about two or three parties,” Biri Biri told this paper, citing Mauritania as an example.

Biri, who feels being sidelined by football authorities, believes there is much to be done as far as moving football is concerned.

Adama Halla Samba is a former executive member of the then Seedy MB Kinteh-led GFA, now GFF. He suggested that the country should do away with international football for two years as was the case with Mauritania in order to be better reorganised for competitions .

“We need to dismantle all the national teams and start afresh, and in the next two years we can come back better and stronger for competitions. Just look at Mauritania who have returned strong after two years of absence.”

The administration and management of football, he added, should be handled by those that know and have the interest of the game at heart.

The Executive Director of the National Sports Council, Marcel Mendy, said although the idea of Gambia’s withdrawal from all international competitions may be ideal, the Sports Council cannot just conclude on the matter as at now.

“Like we have always been doing, we have to sit back, look at what we have, and what the constraints are because we need to understand the problem and what is responsible for the problem, with a view to finding ways of solving it. But eventually if the only way forward is withdrawing from all competitions, we will consider that but for now it is not yet concluded [whether] the best option or the only solution is withdrawing.”

On the huge amount of subvention from FIFA to GFF and whether it is being put to good use, Mendy said he was aware that the amount had been increased. “I may not be too sure to say it is being utilised but hopefully in the distant future anyone at the Sports Council would be able to tell you whether it is being utilised or not, because we are currently working on the National Sports Act and we are looking forward to having it enacted. Part of the provision of that Act is that National Sports Associations will present their financial statements to the National Sports Council,” Mendy told Observer Sports.

Also sharing his thoughts with Observer Sports, GFF boss Lamin Kaba Bajo said: “The opinions of people for us to take a break are not far from our position, but it happens that we already registered for qualifiers and we have to see it through and also use it as part of the rebuilding process.”

The GFF boss hinted that it is possible that by the end of the qualifiers this year, the country would possibly take a break to better reorganise itself.

On the significance of the FAP money to the development of Gambian football; Bajo said the increment on the FAP was yet to be effected (at the time of the interview), but that if affected, it could make a big impact for a country like The Gambia that depends largely on the FIFA subvention.

“This increment if effected will also relieve pressure on government, which contributed a lot, and we appreciate it.”

by Alieu Ceesay