(Friday 3 September 2010 Issue)
The Gambia national U-17 team returned to Banjul on Wednesday morning at the back of a 1-nil defeat away to Morocco in the qualifiers of the African U-17 championship to be held in Rwanda, and resumed preparatory programmes yesterday morning at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium ahead of the second-leg in Banjul next weekend.
The two-time African U-17 champions who enjoyed an impressive 3-1 win to lift its second cadet championship title at the expense of Algeria in Algiers last year face a must win situation to have any hope of a qualification berth.
The baby Scorpions, despite missing numerous scoring chances to overturn a 1-nil deficit in Rabat last Saturday, are still confident of earning a spot in the Rwanda Championship.
The team, according to many football pundits, did not produce the best performance in Morocco, although they still remained positive about their chances of achieving the desire result in Banjul.
The U-17 team have over the years proven to be a formidable side at both home and on foreign soil, and if their outstanding performances at the highest level of youth football are anything to go by, the determined youngsters can continue to maintain a spectacular run of form in a bid to make another appearance in the cadet championship.
With two continental titles to its name, amongst other international accolades, hopes are high regarding the Baby Scorpions possibilities of overturning a 1-nil scoreline once again.
But much attention is now being paid to the senior national team who will begin their qualifying campaign in the African Nations Cup final with a crucial home match against Namibia tomorrow.
