We will shock Senegal-Coach Pa Suwareh Faye

The Gambia Under 20 team were forced to a 1-1 draw by Guinea in the opening of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Under 20 Championship on Saturday, and this was enough for Gambia coach, Pa Suwareh Faye, to feel confident about beating perennial rivals Senegal when they clash today (Tuesday), on Match Day Two of the 16-nation youth event at the Jay Jay Okocha Stadium in Delta State.

The Sait Matty-Africell head coach said he and his wards have drawn valuable experience from Saturday’s game and come this evening they will know exactly what to do to collect the maximum points.

Senegal, who lost 0-2 to Ghana in the opening match, will not however sit and fold their hands knowing vividly well that a successive defeat will send them packing at the group stage.

"We have seen Senegal play against Ghana and to be frank they have a good side. Yet we have what it takes to beat them," Faye said. Reflecting on Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Guinea, Pa Faye said: "We deserved to win that game if not for the red card we conceded in the first interval and poor goalkeeping."

Cherno Njie’s 37th minute low tap put the Darling Scorpions ahead, but Alasana Camara’s expulsion in the 44th minute cut short the wild celebration from the Gambian bench.

More salt was added to Gambia’s injury a minute when Guinean Amadou Jallow’s 35-yard range shot took goalkeeper Alagie Nyabally by surprise to mark the equalizer.
Pa Faye admitted that the goal, which cost them the maximum points, was as a result of lack of concentration from the Bakau United goalkeeper who was only drafted in to replace sick goalkeeper, Christopher Allen.

"We would not have conceded that goal if not for lack of concentration [on the part of] the goalkeeper. Maybe he was carried away by the trend of the match because there was no pressure on him throughout the first half."

"Nevertheless, it was a good game from him [the goalkeeper] because after the goal, he went ahead and made some very good saves that really spared us. He is still a young goalkeeper who has a long way to go," Pa Faye concluded.

Gambia will take on Senegal at 16:00 Nigeria time, which is 15:00 in Banjul.