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What is next for Gambia as AFCON Qualifiers Approaches?

May 18, 2017, 1:25 PM | Article By: Lamin Darboe

What is next for the Gambia Senior National team as the continent’s biggest football fiesta qualifiers is fast approaching.

The Scorpions are set to begin their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers away to Benin next month in Porto-Novo, before hosting Algeria in their second match in March 2018 in Banjul, but preparations are yet to start for the qualifiers opener against the fellow West Africans.

Preparation for the Scorpions opening fixtures against fellow West Africans next month in Porto-Novo is currently slow and not convincing as the Gambia Football Federation and its Technical Department at the Football House are all keeping quiet.

The Scorpions played only international test matches in March 2017 in Rabat, Morocco, where they defeated Central Africa Republic 2-1.

Striker Mustapha Carayol and Modou Secka Barrow were on the score sheet after losing to Morocco CHAN team 2-1 in the first international test match as the qualifiers for the continent’s biggest gala approaches.

Training programme for the home-based players is yet to commence as the qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations is fast approaching.

Coach Sang Ndong is yet to start his technical and tactical preparations prior to the Scorpions’ Africa Cup of Nations opening fixtures against Benin next month in Porto-Novo.

Coach Sang Ndong is expected to start his preparations with the home-based players before inviting several key foreign-based players for their crucial opening fixtures away to Benin next month.

Sang Ndong will also be planning to assemble a formidable side to face Benin in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers away to Benin next month to increase their hopes of winning their opening fixtures to land their first vital three points in the qualifiers.

The Gambia are in group D alongside Algeria, Benin and Togo of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Only group winners, two best losers and host nation Cameroon will qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.