The Gambia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco has tasked the country’s U-20 team to keep up the good work and never relent in their attempt to make Gambians proud.
Kebba S. Touray was speaking in a post-match interview with Observer Sport at the Fus de Rabat Stadium on Sunday where he watched with his entire family as the Young Scorpions knocked Young Atlas Lions out of the African Youth Championship qualifier following a 7-6 post-match penalty shootout win.
“What I have seen today is very encouraging. With this spirit, cohesion and cooperation, am sure they are going to beat Guinea in the next round of the qualifiers,” Ambassador Touray said.
“I’m very happy and proud today and I am convinced that these boys will make it to the finals. They need to be encouraged and keep together and they can go a very long way.”
A very nervous Ambassador Touray watched from the VIP box of the Stadium the dramatic post-match shootout and had to hold his breath on several occasions before The Gambia eventually prevailed 7-6.
He punched the air in celebration when Real de Banjul defender Mbye Faye converted the winning spot kick before going down to congratulate the players on their way out off the pitch.
“Indeed I was very nervous because there goal was not even a goal; it was a very clear off sight and we had a penalty which wasn’t awarded but I’m very proud with the way they handled the penalties,” he added.
The Young Scorpions would host Guinea Conakry on Sunday July 10 in the first leg of the third and final round qualifier with the return match to be held in Conakry in the weekend of the 22nd to 24th July.
The winner over the two legs would qualify to the group stages of the 2017 edition of the African Youth Championship to be held in Zambia. Guinea defeated Ivory Coast on the away goals rule in the last round.