Embattled head coach of the Gambia national U-20 team Lamin Sarr alongside his coaching staff has released the list of 24-man squad of The Gambia national U-20 team that are set to fight for the continental youth title when the Caf African U-20 Youth tournament begins in South Africa next month.
However, there are two big absentees that missed out a place in the 24-man squad.
Seaview rocky centre back Kemo Fatty and talismanic forward Buba Meles Jallow both key members of the Gambian side that endured a dismal showing during the 2009 Fifa U-20 world Cup in Nigeria completely failed out of the pecking order amid poor run of form in recent times.
However, the inclusion of club-less defender Emmanuel Gomez, who has recently been released by his former MLS side Toronto after his failure to shine in the MLS due to a career threatening knee injury during his spell with the Toronto outfit came as surprise to many Gambian football followers but, according to the man at the helm of affairs Lamin Sarr, Gomez also known as Emma has been doing well since joining the U-20 team in training.
Meanwhile, the team’s chances of making an impact in South Africa could however be boosted by the arrival of four foreign based stars who are expected in town in a couple of days to link up with the rest of their teammates ahead of the tournament.
The invited foreign-based players, according to coach Sarr, are defender Lamin Samateh who plays his club football in Croatia, Omar Jasseh (aka Waterman) of MLS, Ousman Jarju of Athletico de Madrid in Spain and Saikou Gassama of Real Zaragoza of Spain.
It is not clear when the Darling Scorpions will leave the country but source close to the team has told this reporter that the Gambian team could leave the shores of the country for Johannesburg, South Africa, at least two weeks before the commencement of the continental showdown to enable the players get familiar with the climatic condition of South Africa.
The 24-man squad that has been selected are Musa Camara, Alagie Nyabally, Mamut S. Bojang, Ebou Camara, Matarr Jobe (aka Nesta), Emmanuel Gomez, Babucarr Savage, Saikou Jawneh, Babucarr Jammeh, Pa Sulay Badjie, Pateh Nyang, Mamut Saine, Mustapha Jatta, Lamin Sarjo Samateh, Dawda Ceesay, Sainey Sambou, Alasana Camara, Ebrima Camara, Buba Sama, Lamin Gibba, Ebrima Kanteh, Abubakar Drammeh, Alieu Darboe and Abdou Njie.