Paul Put refuses to take credit for U-20 victory

A group of reporters rushed towards Paul Put, the Senior National team and the Belgian born tactician, shortly after the Gambia National U-20 team's resounding and historic victory over Sierra Leone in the qualifying campaign of the African Youth Championship on Saturday.

Paul who refused to take the credits for the team's win was responding to a question raised by one of the reporters as to whether he was the brain behind the team's substitution.

Paul quickly responded by saying that all credit must be given to the players under the guidance of Lamin Sarr, whom he said, has done a very good job.

"We must give all credit to the boys and the coach for registering an impressive result, despite a short period of time on preparation and if Sarr is given the opportunity, am positive that he can continue to do a very good job with the team," Paul who is currently attached to the U-20 team in a bid to help the boys in their preparation told journalists at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

However, the Scorpions coach admitted the fact that Lamin Sarr should be given all the support, so as to complete the job when the team travels to face Sierra Leone in the return-leg of the qualifying campaign in a fortnight time.

Paul who went so close to guiding the senior national team to their first-ever African Nations Cup finals in Angola last January, continued to pour cool water on the persistent reports that he was the brain behind the substitution made by the Coach, culminating in the boys emphatic 4-1 win at the expense of their visitors Sierra Leone.

Paul added "Sarr is the man at the helm of affairs, and therefore his decisions were final on the day." But he was quick to admit the fact that his contribution to the game has been one of the main sources of inspiration in the boys desired to achieve the desired results.

That support is highly appreciated by Lamin Sarr who told reporters in a post match interview that Paul has been very much instrumental in the boys fantastic victory, adding "I personally learnt a lot from him because he always inspire me during his short time with me and the team."

Commenting on the boys heroic performances, as they came from a goal down to give the visitors a good account of their worth, despite a slow start to the game, the Belgian tactician who has set his sight firmly on leading the Gambia senior national team to the next African Nations and the World Cup finals in Gabon\Equotorial Guinea and Brazil, respectively, hailed the team for what he referred to as a deserved and important victory, considering the score line.

He also joined a host of other football pundits to remain positive about the team's chances of finishing the job right in Freetown.

"I have the confidence and the belief that the boys will qualify for the U-20 championship in Libya," Put highlighted.