Gambia hero, Mbye Faye, has stated that the Young Scorpions have already put behind them Sunday’s post-match penalty shootout defeat of Morocco by redirecting its focus and energy towards next month’s final round qualifier with Guinea Conakry.
The Real de Banjul defender scored the winning penalty as The Gambia U-20 saw off the challenge from Morocco in Rabat to book a date in the third and final round of the 2017 African Youth Championship qualifiers. The first leg would be played in Banjul on July 9 with the decider in Conakry two weeks later.
“We want to return thanks to God and our parents as well as the coaching staff who did a fantastic job. I wasn’t ready to take that kick but when they lose I just took the ball and then went ahead and scored but I always knew we were going to qualify,” he told Observer Sports in an interview.
“But right now this game has passed and now our energy is redirected towards Guinea in the next round which is the most important thing. We cannot thank the coaching staff enough though because they have worked really hard for this.”
Mbye has formed a formidable partnership at defense with Lamin Sonko and the 1-0 loss in Rabat was the only goal they’ve conceded in six international games, stretching back to the WAFU U-20 Championship in Senegal late last year.
Mbye hailed the achievement as very significant but was again quick to thank the coaching staff for doing a fantastic job. He also expressed hope that they wouldn’t let in another goal as they seek to secure qualification.
“The referee was [also] against us but we were prepared for it that was why we refused to fall for their tricks. It was as if we were playing against 14 men because the referee and his two assistants were also against us,” Mbye added.
“They also watered the field to the point that it became waterlogged and our legs became very heavy.”
Pa Omar Babou scored the first kick for The Gambia and even though he was ordered by the Libyan referee to retake his spot kick, he held his composure to convert that as well to set his team on its way to the 7-6 win.
After the game, a dumbfounded Babou was at a loss for words when asked by Observer Sports to explain the circumstances surrounding the controversy. “I don’t so only the referee can explain what happened,” were his response.
“But I wasn’t nervous because when you go to my parent club [Banjul United] I’m the number one [set piece] specialist there and I have confidence in myself. I know that even after 10 consecutive penalties from me that goalkeeper was never going to save one.”
Pa Omar also described as an obvious off sight the goal scored by the Moroccans but thanked God for giving a positive outcome to The Gambia. He remained optimistic that the U-20 would qualify for both Zambia and the World Cup in Korea.