Gambia football fans have reacted positively to the wonderful performance shown by the country’s U-20 team in eliminating Sierra Leone and Morocco to advance to the third and final round of the 2017 African Youth Championship qualifiers.
Yusupha Saidykhan, a keen football fan from Bundung said the Young Scorpions have played extremely well, noting that they could have beaten the Moroccans in the game, but the referee was cheating on them deliberately.
“The U-20 players played collectively and played with their heart together. Togetherness is one of the most important things for a team’s success,” he told Observer Sport while further advising the players to maintain the spirit and approach.
Modou Lamin Beyai, a sports journalist, said the Gambia’s U-20 qualifying to the next round of CAF U-20 qualifiers is good news in the ears. “Omar Sise’s boys did the nation proud by going away from home, compose themselves and get a win, something that our National Team has struggled to do in recent years. I wish them all the best of luck in the final qualifying game.”
Another fan called Gabriel Ceesay praised the team’s performances in the ongoing qualifiers. “The Gambian players have done a very good work for the country with their performances, and most important of all is that they all played with their hearts,” he told this medium.
“I wish them to continue doing wonderful things for the nation, and prayed that we all achieve our target in making it to the tournament proper in Zambia.”
Saffie Singhateh of Sanchaba was also a happy fan as she heap praise on the lads for the deserving win. “The Gambia is always good in the junior level but when it comes to the senior level we always struggle to book for places in any tournament.”
Abdoulie Bah, Gambian sports journalist based in the United States posted on Facebook, “Senior team are you watching? They [U-20] don’t play for the local or foreign coach, they don’t play for a GFF President, neither for public rating nor money – they play for the national shirt and flag. Ultimately, that’s what it’s gonna take a developing country like ours to make it to a major senior tournament. Congrats Gambia U20 . Togo did it with bigger problems; Cape Verde Islands are doing it with one grass pitch and now Guinea Bissau.”
Tapha Manneh, head coach of Gamtel FC said that he was impressed with both the home and away games. “Eliminating a North African team is another impressive thing. The U-20 technicians need to do more work after the performances especially in the areas of attacking, they also need to give more motivation to the young players who are making the country proud.”
This story was compiled by
Jainaba D Jatta, Binta Bah and Hadang Daffeh
