By John Mendy
Gambia’s Female National team will host two international warm up friendlies against their West African counterparts Mali, as they prepare to meet Nigeria in the next phase of their continental qualifiers.
The Gambia plays Mali in double legged international friendly matches’ slated for May 16th and 19th in Banjul and Bamako respectively.
The friendlies forms part of Coach Mariama Sowe’s readiness to face Africa’s 8th time champions (Super Falcons) Nigeria in the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers later in June.
Mali, who is also in the qualifiers, will use the friendlies to prepare against Ivory Coast in the second and final round qualifiers.
The Gambia is aiming to make its first appearance in the tournament while Nigeria aims to defend their eight Africa Cup of Nation success (Africa’s most successful team in Women’s Football).
The Girl Scorpions stung Burkina Faso on penalties in the previous round to set up a Super Falcons’ meeting in the second and final round qualifiers for Ghana 2018.
The first leg will be on Tuesday 5th June in Banjul.
Meanwhile Coach Mariama Sowe is currently training with 22 players as two of her key players are nursing injury.
Both Mariama Bojang (Red Scorpions FC) and Mbassey Darboe (Interior Ladies FC) are ruled out of the rest of the qualifiers.
Players called for training.
Goalkeepers: Mariama Ceesay – Red Scorpions, Aminata Gaye – Interior
Defenders: Clara Gomez – Interior, Awa Jawo – Red Scorpions, Mama Saidy – Interior, Rugi Sowe – Armed Forces, Mamie Sylva – Armed Forces, Ajara Samba – Red Scorpions, Amie Jarjue – Interior, Nenneh Jallow – City Girl.
Midfielders: Penda Bah – Interior FC, Metta Sanneh – Interior, Awa Tamba – Red Scorpions, Binta Colley – Interior, Jabou Jobarteh – Interior, Fanta Jarju – Armed Forces, Fatou Darboe – Interior.
Forwards: Aminata Camara – Red Scorpions, Adama Tamba – Red Scorpions, Isatou Jallow – Interior, Mam Drammeh – Abuko United, Ola Buwaro – Red Scorpions.
