Countries across the African continent are having a busy weekend as each is eyeing a place in the global biggest football competition showpiece the 2014 World Cup to be hosted in Brazil in two years’ time.
The Gambia senior national team, the Scorpions, will entertain the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the opening game of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers campaign tomorrow, 2 June 2012, at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
Saturday’s crunch clash will be the third meeting between the Scorpions and the Atlas Lions in the global biggest competition showdown qualifiers. Their first meeting was in 2000, when the Scorpions lost 1-0 and in the 2002 World Cup qualifier when the Scorpions again lost 2-0 in favour of the Atlas Lions both home and away legs, which resulted in the Scorpions early exit from the global biggest showpiece qualifiers.
The Scorpions are hoping for a revenge after losing to the Atlas both home and away legs in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers as well as to record from their disappointed 2-1 defeat to the Desert Foxes of Algeria in the 2013 Nations Cup preliminary qualifiers’ first leg in Banjul on 29 February 2012.
The Scorpions will be without the services of several key players such as prolific forward Ousman Jallow, Njogu Demba, Aziz Corr Nyang, Sainey and Sanna Nyassi, and defender Kebba Ceesay due to injuries.
In a similar development, the Moroccan team was expected to arrive in Banjul yesterday for the weekend showdown against The Gambia.
Here, following, is the 18-man squad of The Gambia: Musa Camara, Baboucarr Sanyang, Alie Sowe, Mamut Saine, Hamza Barry, Dawda Sisoho, Ousman Colley, Pa Modou Jagne, Pa Saikou Kujabi, Saihou Gassama, Yankuba Ceesay Mal, Mustapha Jarjue Toubabo, Momodou Ceesay Zico, Momodou Futty Danso, Tijan Jaiteh, Abdou Jammeh T.boy, Lamin Basemen Samateh and Alieu Darboe.
