The Gambia U-20 side yesterday (Monday) went to camp at the Seaview Gardens Hotel Kololi in preparation for the first leg of the second round African Youth Championship qualifiers at home to Morocco.
Coach Omar Sise and charges made it through to the second round after eliminating Sierra Leone 4-0 on aggregate in the first round; renewing Gambian hopes that the team can qualify for the tournament in Zambia next year.
The game is on Saturday at 4.30pm and a convincing win for lads would see the team take another giant step to reaching their objectives of qualifying, ahead of the deciding leg in Casablanca a fortnight later.
Two times African Football of the Year, Elhadji Diouf, described Omar Sise’s charges as unbelievable talents who have a bright future ahead of them. Diouf, who said he was impressed by the sensational performance of the boys, was speaking at the Independence Stadium in Bakau following the team’s majestic performance against Sierra Leone.
“Football is a short career in one’s life and you have to do it to be best. I have nothing to regret because I have done all what I was supposed to do as a footballer. I am quite convinced you can qualify your country. Please don’t start thinking you have achieved something because you have not done anything yet. So it is quite important to be united and have the same vision and purpose,” Diouf, who inspired Senegal to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, told the players after that game.
Meanwhile, the Moroccans have also gone to camp on Friday evening, May, 13, at the Aaadadia National Center for football Palmamorh, in anticipation of the game. Morocco’s Belgian Coach Mark Wotte has invited 23 players for the game.
The list of Moroccan players is below together with the teams and countries they play in.
by Alieu Ceesay
