#Article (Archive)

Gambia name squad for Namibia Clash in ANC qualifier

Sep 1, 2011, 2:05 PM | Article By: Lamin Drammeh

The Gambia’s Scorpions have named a 21-man squad that is set for the big contest away to Namibia in what promises to produce a crucial qualifier match of the African Nations Cup finals in Windhoek this Saturday, Pointsport can confirm.

The squad includes fit-again talisman Ousman Jallow, who was unable to play a part in Scorpions’ 3-nil friendly game success over DR Congo due to illness, three weeks ago.

However Coach Paul Putt has some thoughts in mind as to whether the creative front man should be given enough playing opportunity despite recovering in time to face Namibia, following his recent battle with Hapatista B virus.

On the other hand, there is no place for Jallow’s strike-partner Njogu Demba, who is reported to have been finalizing his final arrangement for a possible move to the United Kingdom in the next couple of days.

Confirmed report from the FA has indicated that Coach Putt will also be missing the service of one of the key players, defender Momodou Futty Danso, who has been ruled out of the weekend’s clash due to hamstring injury.

The news comes as a heavy blow for the Belgian tactician, who faces a defensive selection dilemma having already missed defender Kebba Ceesay through suspension, while Abdou Jammeh is understood to have been on trial in Kuwait.

However,  Dynamo Zagreb rocky centre back Lamin Samateh will be available together with Seyfo Solley, who is also invited for the Windhoek tie, after missing the last friendly in Banjul and can also fill the void left by the absence of the defensive trio.

The squad that also include three home-based goalkeepers will be determined to take maximum advantage of the Namibia encounter as coach Paul Putt and his star-studded side resume their quest for their first-ever Nations Cup appearance.

The Gambia occupy second place with 3 points in a three-nation grouping that have seen Burkina Faso open up a massive six points lead at the summit of the table on 9 points, six ahead of their closest rivals The Gambia.

The Scorpions must beat Namibia this weekend and Burkina Faso in October to be guaranteed a place in the upcoming African Nations cup finals due to commence in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea next year.