Swindon Town midfielder Saidou Khan has earned his first ever call up to the Gambian national team, and will join up with his teammates next month ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan on Wednesday 14 June.
The 27-year-old, who joined Town from National League side Chesterfield last summer and has since made 35 league appearances, will be hoping to help his nation move up in Group G of AFCON qualifying when he heads out to the continent’s west coast on June 8.
In the group, Gambia currently sit third with just two games remaining, and are level on six points with Congo in second place, who hold an advantage through their head-to-head record.
After a crucial 1-0 victory last time out against group leaders Mali, The Scorpions will be aiming to consolidate their position and potentially move into second, a place that would see them into the next stages of qualifying.
Speaking to Town’s media team after receiving the call, Saidou said, “It’s a dream come true. Growing up in Gambia I thought playing for the national team was my only way out to playing professional football, and when I moved over to England I wanted to play high enough and good enough to earn a call-up to represent my country. Now that we’re here, the feeling is unexplainable.
“As it will be my first involvement in the national team, the game’s huge for me,” Saidou said of the upcoming AFCON qualifier.
“Even if it was a friendly it would mean a lot, but seeing as it’s a qualification match, there’s everything to play for.
Asked what he feels he can bring to the national team, Saidou said, “Similar to the other players there, I came up from the lower league, therefore I’ll bring desire and a relentless mindset.
“My immediate family know,” said Saidou when asked if he had told his teammates the good news, “But it always feels better when others see it by surprise.”
Everyone here at Swindon Town would like to wish Saidou the best of luck in his time away with Gambia.