Willy Abraham, president of Real De Banjul FC, speaking at the press briefing on Monday 11 February 2013 at the hall of the Independence Stadium Friendship Hostel, said the team began preparations a few months ago.
He thanked the President of the Republic of The Gambia, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Gambia Football Association and all those who have supported them in cash or kind.
Their coaching staff have been working very hard, he said, adding that they have been doing very well since they won the Super Cup.
The coach made a very good selection of players for the game against FUS, he also said, adding that they are going to Morocco as The Gambia and not as Real De Banjul FC, with the full hope and determination to do well and emerge victorious.
He also said Gambian teams always get eliminated in the second round of the preliminaries but their aim this time is to reach the group stage, which he thinks should not be very difficult if they have the support and prayers of everyone.
Bakary Jammeh, vice president of Real De Banjul FC, said they have represented The Gambia in this competition.
He said they are going to prove they are worthy ambassadors of The Gambia through discipline and competence.
They intend to represent The Gambia very well, he added, saying they have been preparing mentally, physically and financially but further appealed for more financial support “because football is very expensive”.
“Our opponents are champions and we will respect them but we will also show our desire which is to win and even go further to reach the group stage,” he noted.
Alagie Sarr, head coach of Real De Banjul FC, said he has watched their opponents play three times this season, adding that they are also receiving updates about the team from Gambians in Morocco.
“We have got the list of their players, their nationalities, ages and how they play,” he remarked, saying Real De Banjul have the material to compete against their opponents.
“We also have the calibre of players that can compete in the competition,” he went on. “But if you do not prepare well you cannot reach the group stage, which is our target.”
He also said they were using the league as an instrument for preparation since they could not have international test games.
Whilst they are desperately in to beat Morocco on their ground, they will also be mindful of conceding goals so the task would be easy to complete at home, he observed.
The listed players for the match are: Alagie Modou Jobe, Alagie Nyabally, Assan Jallow, Buba Sanneh, Adama Sabally, Baboucarr Savage, Mamar Barrow, Bubacarr Trawally, Alagie Bah, Mbemba Colley, Alagie Fofana, Yusupha Njie, Ousman Jarju, Ousman Jallow, Modou Gaye, Dimingo Manneh, Salifu Krubally, Edrissa Sonko Faye, Modou Jallow and Lamin Jallow, while the officials are: Alagie Sarr, Badou Ceesay, Baboucarr Coker, Tijan Yulla and Alasan Mboob.
