Pa Dembo Considers retiring

Gambian international gloves man Pa Dembo Touray is considering the prospect of hanging up his boots after 15 years of active service marked by some spectacular highs and dramatic lows.

The former Real de Banjul lanky goalie has had some great moment with the Scorpions since making his debut 15 years ago but his recent poor run of bad form has seen him lose his popularity among some fanatic followers of the Scorpions team, though he has put up a man-of-the-match performance in Gambia’s shocking defeat to Namibia in Windhoek recently.

The 31-year-old huge man, currently the longest serving member of coach Paul Put squad, said Saturday’s AFCON qualifier match between the Stallions of Burkina Faso and the Gambia’s Scorpions might probably be his last game in a Gambian jersey.

The Djurgarden goalkeeper, who has spelled out his frustration at criticism labeled against him by Gambian fans, disclosed to reporters at yesterday’s press conference at the Seaview Hotel that he would probably call time on his Scorpions career.

The former Real de Banjul lanky gloves man, who is in the country for the Saturday match in the AFCON qualifier match, said: “I have been thinking about retirement for a while when the Gambian fans asked me to step down and this might probably be my last game in a Gambian shirt.

“But I can loudly and proudly say that there is no goalkeeper in The Gambia that can play up to my standard, although we have a lot of good goalkeepers like Musa Camara but none of them are up to my level.”

Paul Put, head coach of the Scorpions, who defended his first choice goalie, had this to say about the Gambian gloves man: “Pa Dembo has got a lot to offer to the Gambians and I do not want to see him call time on his Scorpions career any time soon.

“Pa Dembo is a great goalkeeper and therefore I want to continue with him for few more years.”

With many national caps under his belt, Pa Dembo is the most experienced player in the current Gambian team.