The
Scorpions of the Gambia have made tremendous improvement in the latest Fifa
Coca-Cola World rankings released last week.
They
have moved up to 166 from the previous place of 179, recording a significant
notch of 13 places higher in the process.
This
is indeed a massive improvement and significant boost for the Scorpions who
beat Central Africa Republic 2-1 in a breathtaking friendly encounter played in
Port Noire, last month.
The
results have seen them maintain their previous record of 49 in the continental
rankings released by Caf on Thursday.
Leeds
United’s midfielder Modou Barrow scored his first international goal thanks to
a delightful finish. The 24-year-old Barrow, nicknamed MO, combined brilliantly
with Mustapha Carayol for Gambia’s opener in a well-executed buildup from the
far right.
It
was a golden opportunity for the English-born Gambian soccer star Carayol, to
add another international goal to his name.
And
he did it in dramatic fashion, taking maximum advantage of Barrow’s clever
delivery.
MO
connected spectacularly with Trapani winger Lamin Jallow to set up Carayol for
his second goal in a Scorpions shirt.
The
former Leeds United and Bristol Rovers danger man Carayol, nicknamed, Muzzy,
scored in his debut appearance in a pulsating match against Mauritania last
year.
Carayol,
who recently completed a January transfer move from Middleborough, when he
became a free agent, lashed onto a direct ball from a close range.
Within
the blink of an eye, the pacy footballer, now on loan at English championship
side Nottingham Forest, hammered home a decisive winner, much to the delight of
embattled coach Sang Ndong who went into the game on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Morocco
in Rabat, a week ago.
Mafota
Lovisi pulled one back for his side
between the two goals but his strike was not good enough to deliver the much
needed result for the helpless Central Africa Republic, who also suffered
similar defeat against Morocco, a fortnight ago.
Allowing
the Scorpions to hold onto a deserved win and secure what appeared to be their
first victory in as many international matches.
It
was also the first friendly international victory match for Coach Sang Ndong
since taking charge of the Scorpions.
The
former Hawks gaffer Sang, hugely criticised for his poor tactical approach and
controversial team selection, did replace former coach Raul Savoy, who parted
company with the Scorpions following strings of dismal performances.
Central
Africa Republic still gained massive advantage over The Gambia in the latest
rankings in Africa, trailing them 12 places on 37 to the 49th position of the
Scorpions.
The
Gambia’s close neighbours Senegal, who sit 30 places globally, occupied 2 spot
in Africa behind first-place holders Egypt, with Cameroon, Burkina Faso,
Nigeria, DR Congo, Tunisia, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Morocco completing the
rankings for the top 10 in Africa.
Sang
and his charges are scheduled to begin their qualifier campaign for the 2019
nations cup finals at home to Benin, in Port Novo, in June.
They
are pitted in group D of the qualifiers alongside Benin, Togo and Algeria, as
the battle to win qualification to the 32nd edition of the Caf Orange African
Nations Cup tournament gathers momentum.
Cameroon
is chosen as the host nation for the 16-team tournament that will feature some
of the continent’s most decorated footballers.
