MLS to tap into Gambian pipeline

Former Revolution striker Mamadou Diallo could become a key to supplying America’s Major League Soccer with players from West Africa.

Natick-based agent Patrick McCabe recently concluded a scouting trip to Senegal and The Gambia, meeting with Diallo in Dakar in a player search inspired by the success of the Gambian duo Abdoulie Ken Mansally and Sainey Nyassi with the Revolution.

Senegal, which advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, has established itself among the powers of African soccer. But McCabe believes The Gambia could offer better prospects than its much larger neighbour.

"The Gambia is an easier market to work with, it's not picked over like other African countries," McCabe said. "It's a better fit for the MLS for a lot of reasons - language [English] being one of them. Banjul is a modern city, with big apartment buildings, lots of good hotels. But it's also cheaper than Senegal."

Senegal, a former French colony, traditionally sends its best prospects to Belgium and France. The Gambia's first significant export to Europe was midfielder Alhaji Momodo Nije, known as "Biri Biri," who performed for Derby County and Sevilla in the 1970s. And Gambian players only recently have started to be exported in numbers, sparked by the success of the under-17 and under-20 national teams.

"We watched The Gambia defeat Senegal, 3-0, in a U-20 game and the Gambians were much better," McCabe said. "They don't have a lot of guys at the top level now and they need better coaching at the local level. They have never qualified for the World Cup or even the African Nations Cup, but the junior teams' success has jump-started the idea that they can be a force.