The Gambia National Team Head Coach Tom Saintfiet has unveiled the 23 man squad ahead of the Gabon game, describing the team ‘formidable but difficult’ during the selection process.
“It was a very difficult final 23 man squad because we have many players who have the quality to play for the country, said head coach Tom Saintfiet. “Naturally, we took into account the limited time the national team and together prepared the team he stresses. So we choose players who know the system, the way of working and easy to adopt”
The 23 man list is mainly built up by top players who were part of the team’s training camp in Lisbon, Portugal where they won their match against Congo in an international friendly.
“The game against Angola last year and DR Congo also makes it naturally difficult that some players who have the quality to play for the country still have to be released”
Saintfiet acknowledges the standard of players in the team but however believes that the 23 man squad was selected in good faith and in the best interest of the team.
“Because some other players deserved to be there but they were all on standby because in this difficult period of the pandemic you never know what happens in the coming days”
The Scorpions are expected to face Gabon, which is a regular team in the African Cup of Nation (AFCON) tournament on the 12 November in Franceville. However, coach Saintfiet said the scorpions are ready to face the likes of Gabon and other opponents in the tournament.
“I’ve huge respect for them but not afraid because we have proven in the past to be very strong side against big opponents”
The Scorpions’ European contingent will travel from their Europe based destination to Brussel on the 19th November en-route to Libreville while officials and staff of the GFF will leave for Libreville on the 7th ahead of the games.