Coach Sang Ndong has unveiled 24-man squad for the June 11 clash with Benin in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier
in Cotonou.
The team named by Ndong predominantly features the lads who had a successful outing in the recent 2-1 win over Central Africa Republic in a FIFA friendly played in March. Following the victory, the Scorpions raised 13 places in the FIFA rankings and will now look to build on that momentum to make a positive start to the qualifiers.
The long campaign ends in November 2018 with the top team in each group and the three best runners-up across all the groups booking a ticket to the 2019 finals to be hosted by AFCON 2017 champions Cameroon. The Gambia is grouped alongside Algeria, Togo as well as opening opponents Benin.
Meanwhile preparations are underway for a training camp in Ghana prior to the match, with plans for the Scorpions to face Ghana Black Stars in a friendly before departing for Benin.
Scorpions 24-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Modou JOBE (ASC Linguère, Senegal), Baboucarr GAYE (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Alagie NYABALLY (Real de Banjul, The Gambia)
Defenders: Dawda NGUM (FC Rosengård, Sweden), Simon RICHTER (FC Roskilde, Denmark), Pa Modou JAGNE (FC Sion, Switzerland), John BASS (Brikama United, The Gambia), Mamadou Danso (Kelantan FA, Malaysia), Bubacarr Sanneh (AC Horsens, Denmark), Omar Colley (KRC Genk, Belgium), Mass MANGA (Hawks FC, The Gambia)
Midfielders: Sulayman Marreh (Granada CF, Spain), Gregory Sambou (Ports Authority FC, The Gambia), Tijan Jaiteh (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Hamza Barry (Hadjuk Split, Croatia), Alasana MANNEH (FC Barcelona, Spain), Modou Barrow(Swansea City, England), Mustapha Carayol (Nottingham Forest, England), Bully Drammeh (Real de Banjul), Sainey Sambou (Brikama United, The Gambia)
Forwards: Yusupha Njie (FUS Rabat, Morocco), Ali Sowe (Vibonese, Italy), Lamin Jallow (Trapani, Italy), Bubacarr
CHAN Gambia
Meanwhile, the Gambian CHAN team coach Alagie Sarr has called up 26 local-based players to commence training ahead of planned friendly matches against Guinea-Bissau.
The friendly matches, planned for early July, are in preparation for the upcoming CHAN 2018 First Round double-legged encounter against Mali. The first leg at home is set for 15th July with the away leg taking place one week later. The winner of the tie will proceed to the final qualification round against either Mauritania or Liberia in August for a place in the finals to be hosted by Kenya.
The first stage of training will commence on the 29th of May at the Independence Stadium for two weeks before taking a recess and resuming on the 28th of June when the team will go into camp.
26-man CHAN squad:
Goalkeepers: Alagie Nyabally, Ebrima Jarju (Real de Banjul), Musa JATTA (Brikama United), Baboucarr Ceesay(Armed Forces)
Defenders: Saikou Mansally, Mbye Faye Salifu Krubally (Real de Banjul), John Bass(Brikama United), Mass Manga (Hawks FC), Matarr Ceesay, Lamin Conteh (Ports Authority FC)
Midfielders: Gregory Sambou, Abdou Njie, Alagie Sarr (Ports Authority FC), Matarr Ceesay (Armed Forces), Lamin Charty, Musa Yaffa (Hawks FC), Sulayman Saho, Sainey Sambou(Brikama United), Bully Drammeh(Real de Banjul)
Forwards: Yahya Ndong (Gamtel), Mustapha DRAMMEH (Bombada), Adama JAMMEH (Gambia Armed Forces), Ousman Sillah (Wallidan), Pa Omar Jobe, Yankuba Jarju (Real de Banjul).
