By Fatoumatta Gassama
Footballers and Fans in Gambia believe that the country can qualify for the Afcon 2019 in Egypt if there is a normal transformation in the national squad.
Gambia have five point in third position ahead of Togo in 2018-19 Afcon qualification round, this means the country has a slim chance to qualify for the tournament.
Gambia need to beat Algeria, while Togo also needs to beat Benin and this will make way for the Scorpion to qualify for their maiden appearance in African tournament.
Ema Njie, a footballer called on the coach and team manager to change their system of selection of player. “The technical team should stop the unfair selection in the squad, we have players in this country and if they are selected they can qualify the team to Afcon 2019 and beyond.
He added that there is a need for The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) with a critical stakeholders like coaching staff of the team to develop the game nationwide.
He urged stakeholders to organise tournament for both rural and urban areas and use that opportunity’s to select player for the national team.
According to him, The Gambia can make it and what is needed is good preparation with console the players with also weeks long before the match against Algeria.
Sulayman Bah, a football fan said it would be difficult for Gambia to qualify and if the team want to go through the players need to work toward that goal.
He observed Gambia football lacks the encouragement compare to Senegal and other African countries.
He urged the national team coach to improve on his attacking formation for his boys to score more against their opponent noting that there potential attacking players in the team.
Ebrima Njie said the team can qualify because football is all about chance but they need to train and improve.
He calls on the coach of the Gambian national team coach Tom Saintfiet to help the player’s trains on time and call on the Gambian professional player on time to start preparation ahead of the competition.
In the group stage the Gambia Scorpion is in the third place with 5 points after defeating Benin by 3-1 last year at the independence stadium in Bakau. The national team last match is stage against the Desert Foxes of Algeria.
If we win and Togo also needs to beat Benin the blue, white and red flag will be waving in Egypt for the first time in our football history.