Real De Banjul, Vice-Captain Saikou Okocha Jawara is relished over his invitation to join The Gambia national senior team, better known as the Scorpions ahead of three proposed international matches against Angola, Algeria and the African Champions Egypt, in January.
The young prodigy who made his first national U-20 debut in The Gambia's resounding 4-1 win over neighbours Senegal last year after coming on as a substitute is one of the few lucky home-based players invited by Coach Paul Putt to join the foreign-based players who are in the country as part of the preparation for the upcoming three international friendlies in Portugal, Cairo or Dubai in the first week of January.
The crafted left back who was speaking to this reporter at Scorpions evening training session at the country's biggest football arena(the Independence Stadium) on Monday feel delighted to be part of the squad.
"Being part of the professional players is a big plus and great opportunity for me and a deserved one and I am looking forward to capitalising on the wonderful opportunity given to me because I know I can deliver to the best of my ability," the former Crab Island student told this reporter.
The versatile left back who has already established himself as an influential player with the Real De Banjul team received his first call to the senior national team during last year's African Nations Cup qualifiers for home-based players.
Okocha as he is commonly called was part of the Bakau Zonal team that made history by becoming the first zonal team to win Baby Muhammed Jammeh Perpetual Cup Competition since President Jammeh's intervention with a narrow win over bitter rivals Banjul last year.
