Gambian Players First batch arrives in Cameroon ahead of Chad encounter
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The first batch of Scorpions arrived in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Monday ahead of the first leg of Gambia's 2023 Total Energies African Cup of Nations preliminaries against Chad slated for Wednesday.
Babucarr ‘Steve’ Trawally, Dembo Darboe and Muhammed Sanneh are the early arrivals while 13 other players, including Head Coach Tom Saintfiet are expected from their respective European destinations.
Captain Omar Colley will now miss the first leg after being forced off injured in the 89th minute of Sampdoria’s 2-0 defeat of Venezia on Sunday in the Italian Serie A league.
He will undergo a scan to confirm the extent of the damage but the initial signs do not look serious and is expected to be fit for the second leg in a week’s time in Agadir, Morocco.
Colley, 29, together with Kalifa Manneh, who tested positive for Covid 19, and Sulayman Bojang, visa issues having been called late to replace Ebou Adams, are all expected to arrive in Agadir on time for the second and deciding leg on March 29.
The local staff, which is headed by Gambia Football Federation Second Vice President Mr. Ebou Faye arrived in the Cameroonian capital Monday.
Meanwhile, the Scorpions impressed at their first ever TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year in Cameroon reaching the quarter finals.
The West Africans will be hoping for another taste of Africa’s flagship tournament when they face Chad in Yaoundé and Agadir for a place in the group stage of the qualifiers.
Chad will host The Gambia in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on March 23 before the Scorpions welcome them in Agadir, Morocco six days later.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Baboucarr Gaye (FC Rot-Weiß Koblenz, Germany), Ebrima Jarju (Paide Linnameeskond, Estonia), Modou Jobe (Black Leopards, South Africa).
Defenders: Muhammed Sanneh (FK Pohronie, Slovakia), Omar Colley (Sampdoria, Italy), James Gomez (AC Horsens, Denmark), Noah Sonko Sundberg (Levski Sofia, Bulgaria), Buba Sanneh (SønderjyskE, Denmark), Ibou Touray (Salford, England), Sulayman Bojang (Skeid Fotball, Norway).
Midfielders: Matarr Ceesay (AmaZulu FC, South Africa), Ebrima Darboe (AS Roma, Italy), Yusupha Bobb (Piacenza Calcio 1919, Italy), Sulayman Marreh (KAA Gent, Belgium).
Forwards: Abdoulie Sanyang (Gronoble, France), Kalifa Manneh (Taranto, Italy), Ebrima Colley (Spezia Calcio, Italy), Musa Barrow (Bologna, Italy), Buba Jobe (Norrby IF, Sweden), Steve Trawally (Ajman, UAE), Dembo Darboe (Shakhtyor Soligorsk, Belarus), Assan Ceesay (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Muhammed Badamosi (K.V Kortrijk, Belgium).
-0-PANA MSS/RA 21March2022
