Back and Next - Back and NextGambia U-20 team arrive in Nigeria
Thursday, November 27, 2008
The Gambia Under 20 National team arrived Lagos, Nigeria, on Tuesday, November 25, ahead of the grand kick-off of the revived West African Football Union (Wafu) competition.
Headed by Mr Omar Ceesay, first-vice president of The Gambia Football Association, the 25-man Gambian delegation spent a night in Nigeria’s second capital before being connected by a domestic flight to Benin City on Wednesday morning. After a 45-minute flight, The Gambian side traveled 157 kilometers by land to reach their final destination in Delta State – the venue for the 16-team sub regional age limited football competition, which is fixed between November 28 and December 8.
After a hectic journey to the Southern Nigerian state, coach Alagie Sarr and his side arrived too late to hold their first training session yesterday. The Darling Scorpions are now set to have their first training today (Thursday) barely 24 hours before their Group B opener against Guinea on tomorrow.
The team might have endured a tiring trip Delta but Coach Alagie Sarr insists this will not affect the team’s preparation.
“Indeed we have a very hectic journey to Delta State. It took us over 24 hours to settle down, but this cannot be an excuse as far as the competition is concerned, Sarr who is also the chief coach GFA first division side, Sea View, told Observer Sports yesterday at his Nelrose Hotel camp.
“I have spoken to the players and everything is in order. We are positive in all departments and having settled down our main focus is now on our first game, which we must win.” “This is a tournament and winning your first match is always important in any competition. And with the level of morale in our camp, I have no doubt that we will get the three points when take on Guinea tomorrow (Friday).”
“I have spoken to the players and they’ve vowed that they are up for the task,” Sarr concluded. When they open their account with Guinea on Friday, the Gambia will take on bitter rivals, Senegal, on Sunday, November 30, before facing familiar opponents, Ghana, in the final group match on Tuesday, December 2. The first two teams in each group will proceed to the quarter-finals.
Headed by Mr Omar Ceesay, first-vice president of The Gambia Football Association, the 25-man Gambian delegation spent a night in Nigeria’s second capital before being connected by a domestic flight to Benin City on Wednesday morning. After a 45-minute flight, The Gambian side traveled 157 kilometers by land to reach their final destination in Delta State – the venue for the 16-team sub regional age limited football competition, which is fixed between November 28 and December 8.
After a hectic journey to the Southern Nigerian state, coach Alagie Sarr and his side arrived too late to hold their first training session yesterday. The Darling Scorpions are now set to have their first training today (Thursday) barely 24 hours before their Group B opener against Guinea on tomorrow.
The team might have endured a tiring trip Delta but Coach Alagie Sarr insists this will not affect the team’s preparation.
“Indeed we have a very hectic journey to Delta State. It took us over 24 hours to settle down, but this cannot be an excuse as far as the competition is concerned, Sarr who is also the chief coach GFA first division side, Sea View, told Observer Sports yesterday at his Nelrose Hotel camp.
“I have spoken to the players and everything is in order. We are positive in all departments and having settled down our main focus is now on our first game, which we must win.” “This is a tournament and winning your first match is always important in any competition. And with the level of morale in our camp, I have no doubt that we will get the three points when take on Guinea tomorrow (Friday).”
“I have spoken to the players and they’ve vowed that they are up for the task,” Sarr concluded. When they open their account with Guinea on Friday, the Gambia will take on bitter rivals, Senegal, on Sunday, November 30, before facing familiar opponents, Ghana, in the final group match on Tuesday, December 2. The first two teams in each group will proceed to the quarter-finals.
Author: by Nanama Keita in Lagos, Nigeria
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