The draw for this segment of the qualifiers was made in Cairo yesterday and was greeted here with great relief, with some instantly hopeful that The Gambia can eliminate the islands state and the next opponents to reach the final round which features seven groups of four countries each. The winner and runners-up from each group, with the best third place finisher will progress to join Morocco in the tournament. However, the final segment of the draw does not bring good news because should The Gambia win both ties, it will join Group D which has Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon, some of the most difficult opposition one could ever come against on the continent.
National team coach, Peter Bonu Johnson, yesterday told The Standard on hearing the draw: “Even though we seemingly have an edge over Seychelles we have to respect them and take the tie seriously. With that and the prayers and support of the Gambian people we can achieve our dream,” he said.
The first leg of the first tie will be played in Banjul on Saturday, 17 May at the Independence Stadium with the return leg in Seychelles at the end of May.
By Lamin Cham
]]>
