By Arfang M.S. Camara
Gambians have congratulated and thanked the Scorpions for showing gallant performances during their first ever Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
The Gambian scorpions side being one of the minors in this year’s Afcon tournament, hasn’t tasted a defeat until on Saturday during their encounter against the host (Cameroon) at the Japoma Stadium in Douala.
The gallant Scorpions lost 2-0 against the host nation Cameroon in the quarterfinal of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament held at the Japoma Stadium, Douala on Saturday.
Karl Toko Ekambi scored both goals for Cameroon in the 50th and 57th minutes to end Gambia’s participation in their first ever Afcon tournament.
The Scorpions held the host nation, Cameroon, who are also one of the favourites in the tournament at bay after playing a goalless stalemate in the first period.
But the Cameroonians who were having the home advantage with the support from their fans at the Japoma Stadium had everything worked for them in the second period after scoring two goals after the break.
The Gambia being the only underdogs in this year’s Afcon tournament haven’t lost a match in open play except on Saturday against Cameroon.
The Saturday encounter was also the first goals conceded by the Scorpions in open play.
Despite the defeat against the host nation, Gambian fans thanked and congratulated the players for showing gallant performances in their first Afcon tournament.
“This may not be the happy ending we all hoped for but the fact that you made history and did so with vigour will go down in our records,” said a post on State House official Facebook page.
The State House post continued: “Our country has accomplished a great deal by getting this far as debutants. You have left an everlasting mark on the entire country by making the #AFCON2021 experience a memorable one. We are proud of you, and we hope for more in our sports domain.”
The post from State House further said that the officials and stakeholders deserve a big thank you.
“Honestly I’m very much proud of the players. Going into the tournament, we never expected to reach this stage (quarterfinals). Honestly I have nothing to say other than to thank them so much for representing us very well in Cameroon,” said Ousman Ceesay, a Gambian fan in Kanifing.
Yasin Sanneh, from Brufut expressed delight with the Scorpions achievement, noting that though she was never a fan of football, this year’s Afcon made her watch football knowing that The Gambia will be participating.
“I was never a fan of football but the Scorpions made me fully follow the Afcon tournament. The Scorpions side have really made me proud with the performances they showed at the tournament.”
Jainaba Sambou of Bundung said: “despite we lost and were eliminated from the tournament, I am so happy that this year, The Gambia took part in the Afcon tournament.”
She noted that Gambians including her never thought that the Scorpions could go this far in their maiden Afcon tournament, adding that judging from what she saw from the Scorpions, she had high hope that the future of Gambian football is promising.
Abdourahman Sabally said God has destined that this is where our Scorpions team will be eliminated, adding that they are more than all other teams who participated in the Afcon tournament.
“We as debutants played our entire group stage unbeaten. We as debutants defeated teams like Tunisia and Guinea who are all footballing nations. We can’t be more proud than we already are,” he noted.
Yusupha Tamba said “the defeat might be disappointing but if you hear how the commentators speak about our team, the team’s background and our history. It’s clear to say that the boys have put Gambia on the map. They can come home knowing that they made us proud.”
Gambia achievement cannot be underestimated
The scale of Gambia’s achievement cannot be underestimated, despite their defeat in Douala this afternoon.
Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa, and has a population of just over two million. This was their debut appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, and their two group stage wins will go down in history as some of the nation’s finest ever sporting moments.
