By Arfang M.S. Camara
The Gambia senior national team, Scorpions are due in Banjul today, Thursday from their 10-day training camp in Doha, Qatar.
The Scorpions team went to Qatar for their preparation ahead of their maiden Africa Cup of Nations which begins on 9 January 2022.
The Scorpions were dealt with a blow following the cancellation of their two scheduled friendly games against defending champions Algeria and Syria.
“We are done here in Doha. Next stop is Cameroon via an 18 hours stop in Banjul to meet with President Adama Barrow where he will hand over the battle flag to the team,” read a post on Gambia Football Federation (GFF) Facebook page.
The team was expected to leave Qatar yesterday, Wednesday around 8pm local time and arrive in Banjul today, Thursday morning at 9am.
According to The Gambia Football Federation, the Scorpions side cancelled their encounters against Algeria and Syria due to the unavailability of 16 players, representing 57% of the final 28.
“This is as a result of the fact that the Belgian is currently been deprived off the services of the following players due to several unforeseen circumstances: Lamin Jallow; Bubacarr Jobe; Baboucarr Gaye; Omar Colley; Ebrima Sohna; Saidy Janko; Sheikh Sibi; Noah Sonko Sundberg; Yusupha Njie; Steve Trawally; Ebou Adams; Ibou Touray; Modou Jobe; Ablie Jallow; Modou Barrow; and Yusupha Bobb,” GFF further said.
Tom Sainfiet told GFF media that the unavailability of a goalkeeper forced them to call off the matches against Algeria and Syria.
“We have so many unpredictable situations making it very difficult to prepare for AFCON that we are not happy with but no one is to be blamed,” Saintfiet further said.
Tom Saintfiet received a major boost after Omar Colley trained with the trained yesterday with his result being inconclusive since he arrived in Qatar.
Meanwhile, upon their arrival today, the Scorpions are expected to be hosted by the Gambian government under the leadership of President Adama Barrow on a gala dinner which will coincide with the handing over of the battle flag to the team before traveling to Cameroon on Friday.
