Expectations are high. Gambians and friends of The Gambia are looking forward with eagerness to Gambia’s U-17 female team participation in the FIFA U-17 female World Cup scheduled to kick off in Azerbaijan on Saturday 22nd September.
Our gallant girls are expected to make their debut in the tournament against Korea DPR before engaging the USA and France later on.
The first game, no doubt, is a game that The Gambia must win in order to raise hopes of making it in the second and third matches of the group stage.
With a mixture of young and talented female players, our gallant girls must go all out to win.
The likes of Korea DPR, USA and France are no pushover, especially in women football. They have some of the biggest, most fascinating footballers in the world.
So nothing should be taken for granted.
The Gambia U-17 female team should not take the championship lightly.
In contemporary football, there are no underdogs. Each team is made up of eleven talented footballers who are capable of causing irreparable damage with the slightest opportunity.
They should have at the back of their mind that it is the hunger to win at all costs that usually swings football fortunes on the pitch.
Our girls must not underrate their opponents nor be overawed by them. They must see them as competitors who are out for the same prize they are after.
As the clock ticks towards the showdown in Azerbaijan, we urge all Gambians and friends of The Gambia to wish the U-17 female team victory in all their games.
We also implore the girls to give their all to this championship.
If they are able to get us what we want, then they will forever remain our heroes.
“I don’t know any other way to lead but by example.”
Don Shula