Omar Sise, coach of the U-20 Young Scorpions has expressed confidence that his side will qualify to the African Youth Championship in Zambia despite the goalless draw at home against Guinea on a rainy Saturday evening in the first leg of the third and decisive round of qualifiers.
In a post-match press conference Sise said it was a good game for the fact that his side did not concede a goal and is confident of better results in Conakry in two weeks time. “We will go back and work on our mistakes, develop ourselves and get much prepared. My message to Gambians is that [God willing] we will go to Zambia next year.”
The team, according to Sise, was unlucky inspite of creating more chances than the visiting side.
As to why he constantly starts with the same players in all the qualifying games, Sise explained that “it is not easy to break this starting line-up because they understand the system more than anyone on the bench.”
He brought in Yahya Ndong and Musa Barrow for Pa Omar Babou and Bun Sannneh in the second half, but for the coach, “Musa Barrow did not perform because he did not do what I expected from him.”
As to what made Guinea difficult, Sise replied, “We knew nothing about Guinea. We were to scout them in Senegal but our neighbours were not fair to us because they told us [their test game with Guinea] was on the 3rd and they played it on the 2nd July.”
Request to GFF, Ministry
Coach Omar Sise is now requesting the GFF and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to support his desire for the team to continue camping immediately.
The Guinean coach, Madjou Jallow said the game was difficult for his side, while congratulating the Young Scorpions for a good display. He was full of praise for star player and skipper Abdoulie Jallow.
According to him, they will go home and get prepared for the return leg in Conakry. He was quite confident of victory when the Young Scorpions travel to Conakry.
by Alieu Ceesay