The Scorpions will miss the services of The Gambia’s international forward Ousman Jallow who is not part of the Gambian team that would be facing the Elephants of Ivory Coast on March 23, in Abidjan. Jallow’s absence will be seen as a great impact on the team.
Currently playing in the Turkey’s league, the reason for his exclusion is linked with the injury he is currently nursing, which put him out of action since November 2012.
Jallow is currently with Turkey’s first League side Rizespor and was influential during The Gambia’s 2010 World Cup qualifiers. His combination with former Wallidan club mate Momodou Ceesay paid off at the time the scorpions hosted Namibia in Banjul when The Gambia won 3-1.
Jallow scored The Gambia’s third goal against Namibia and his outstanding performance saw him set up The Gambia’s second goal for strike partner Momodou Ceesay to tap home from a close range doubler to help Scorpions get off to a convincing start for the qualifiers.
Jallow is part of the players who graduated through the ranks of the historical Gambia national U-17 team in the limelight, together with the likes of Sainey and Sanna Nyassi, Ebrima Sohna, Tijan Jaiteh, and Momodou Ceesay, among others.
After nursing an injury over the past months, The Gambia’s international is expected back in action soon. Jallow and club mate Uche Kalu of Nigeria had their contracts frozen by the club because of reported injuries.
The 2012/13 season, the second for The Gambia international, Ousman has so far made 13 league appearances scoring 4 goals helping to raise his side Rizespor to the top four teams in Turkey’s second tier league.
The Gambia international attacker joined Rizespor in the 2011/12 season and made 34 league appearances with 15 goals in his name.
The former Danish club (Brondby) footballer last game played was during his side 2-0 loss to Manisaspor in November.
The Scorpions lost against Tanzania 2-1 in group C in Dare Salaam, despite taking an early lead from Momodou Ceesay’s 8th minute goal. Ivory Coast drew 2-2 against Morroco last June in the opening group match.
Scorpions’ captain Mustapha Jarju, Pa Saikou Kujabi and Sainey Nyassi are also among key absentees out of the squad.
Tanzania will host Morocco on March 24 in the other group C clash.