2010 qualifiers, Gambia took 9th position. 18-10-2008

Dear Editor,

Please allow me space in your widely read newspaper to thank The Gambia football team and its officers for their effort in the just ended football tournament in Africa.

The Gambia took 9th position on the just ended African and World cup qualifiers, and runners-up in group 6. The Gambia and Uganda were best losers of the group stages, Guinea Conakry took 8th position best loser at the expense of Gambia’s effort to end Senegal’s dream. Indeed Cameroon, Guinea, Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Gabon and Algeria were the best in group stages.

 ‑The Gambia’s team performance was very impressive from start to finish. The team has high possibility to win their group stage in next African or World Cup qualifiers. Thanks to Coach Paul Put on whom all Gambians pin their hopes for a remarkable improvement in Gambian football in the near future. The effort of GFA and sponsors like Africell, and His Excellency President Jammeh just to name a few is highly appreciated.

 I would like to encourage the boys to keep up the momentum, maintain a high standard of discipline in their careers. Gambians are proud of the senior team and praying for their success. I wish the U-17/U-20 teams better luck next time. Let them be assured that Gambians all over the world are following their progress with keen interest. I call on Gambians to continue giving moral and financial support to GFA and all other sporting disciplines. Well done to the fans club who had continued to boost the moral of the senior team.

 However, GFA need to caution FIFA with their new laws introduced against the progress of African football. FIFA needed to apply such laws to all continents to match African and World cup qualifiers. The law only suits European football leagues that heavily depend on best African players. African football authorities need to come together to create more impressive tournaments that will make a positive impact in Africa but not depend on FIFA to create football tournaments for Africa. Unless African sport authorities move first to address the situation, FIFA will continue to limit many African best players to having short life spans in their careers, while other continents football has become national pride to many countries. I have no doubt The Gambia will soon step forward as a powerful football nation if the spirit of the current national teams trickles down to the young players in our beloved and peaceful nation. I wish to thank the entire Gambian sports journalists for their untiring efforts. You are all stars!