The Young Scorpions under the guidance of Coach Abdoulie Bojang have won all their games and scored 10 goals in the competition so far.
Five different players have also scored for The Gambia U-20. However, Gambia’s only clean sheet was threatened in the semifinal encounter against Nigeria when VAR controversially awarded them a penalty in the 85th minute.
However, substitute Ahmed Abdullahi hit the frame of the post with his spot kick but keeper Pa Ebou Dampha had it well covered before the ball was cleared to safety.
The Gambia have also won the Man of the Match award in the five games they had played ahead of tomorrow’s final.
The latest was Dampha, who had been instrumental in the goal post whenever his defence line was breached.
The Gambia U-20 team opened their Afcon account with a 1-nil win over Tunisia. They went on to beat Zambia 1-0 before a much-changed side saw off the challenge from Benin 2-0 to progress into the quarterfinals.
The Young Scorpions defeated South Sudan 5-0 in their quarterfinals clash before a 1-0 win over Nigeria in the semifinal on Monday, sealing their place in the final.
We take a look at the profiles of the Young Scorpions’ much-used starting eleven at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt.
- Pa Ebou Dampha
- Sainey Sanyang
- Alagie Saine
- Moses Jarju
- Bakary Jawara
- Mahmudu Bajo
- Haruna Rasid Njie
- Muhammed Sawaneh
- Kajally Drammeh
19.Ebrima Singhateh
- Adama Bojang
Pa Ebou Dampha (No. 1), The Gambia U-20 goalkeeper was born on 29th of March 2003 in Banjul. The 19-year-old plays his local football with Waa Banjul in the Gambian Football Federation’s (GFF) 1st Division League.
Dampha, who has been very instrumental for the Gambia’s U-20 side is one of the best goalkeepers of the tournament and is yet to concede a goal.
Due to one of his fine performances in the tournament, the Waa Banjul custodian has won himself the Man of the Match award during their semifinal game against Nigeria.
Sainey Sanyang (No. 3), the Young Scorpions defender was born on 18th April 2003 in Banjul. The Under-20 left-back has played a key role for The Gambia en route to the final of the Afcon tournament in Egypt.
The Hawks FC left-back, who played in all the Gambia’s Afcon U-20 tournament games became the first provider in the Gambia’s opening goal in the competition scored by captain Alagie Saine.
Alagie Saine (No. 4), captain of the Young Scorpions team was born on 20th January 2003 in Banjul. The central defender who plays his professional football for Danish club AC Horses, has played a key role in the heart of the Gambian defensive line in the Afcon competition.
The 20-year-old became the first goal-scorer in the Afcon tournament for the Gambian side. He also won two Man of the Match awards in two consecutive fixtures (Tunisia and Benin) of the tournament.
Captain Saine has scored three goals in the competition for the Gambian side. He scored in the two opening group stage fixtures against Tunisia and Benin before recording his third goal against South Sudan in the quarterfinals.
Due to his fantastic performances, Alagie Saine was selected in the best eleven of the group stages.
Moses Jarju (No. 15), the Gambia U-20 central defender was born on 5th October 2003 in Banjul. Jarju, who played his local football at Fortune FC in the Gambian Premier League, also played all Afcon tournament games for the Young Scorpions.
The 19-year old who is paired with the team captain at the back has established a magnificent and solid partnership at the defensive line.
He also recorded a single goal in the tournament against South Sudan in the quarterfinals.
Bakary Jawara (No. 16), the Young Scorpions right-back defender was born on 2nd April 2003 in Banjul. Jawara plays his local football at Fortune FC in the Gambian Premier League.
The 19-year-old started in four of the Gambia’s five matches in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament before tomorrow's final.
He forms a solid defensive line at the back of the Gambian side in the tournament.
Mahmudu Bajo (No. 6), the Young Scorpions defensive midfielder was born on 15th of August 2004 in Banjul. The 19-year old plays his professional football with Granada CF in Spain.
He played in four of the Young Scorpions five games in the tournament going into the final.
Bajo scored one and assisted one against South Sudan in the quarterfinals of the tournament. His great performance in midfield has made him a key player for the Gambian team.
Haruna Rasid Njie (No. 13), the Gambia U-20 defensive midfielder was born on 23rd of September 2005 in Banjul. The 17-year old plays his local football with Gunjur United in the Gambian Second Division League.
The Gunjur player featured in all of the Gambia’s five matches in the Afcon tournament, rocking the midfield together with Bajo.
Rasid Njie who will miss tomorrow's final as a result of the red card, recorded three bookings in five matches.
He was sent off in the semifinal encounter against Nigeria.
Muhammed Sawaneh (No. 14), the Young Scorpions attacking midfielder was born on 30th of December 2003.
The 19-year-old plays his football with Teungueth Rufisque in the Senegalese Ligue 1.
The former Tallinding United player, who featured in all the five matches of the Afcon tournament has been instrumental for the Young Scorpions side.
Mboma as he is fondly called, assisted Muhmudu Bajo’s goal against South Sudan in the quarterfinals.
Ebrima Singhateh (No. 19), The Gambia U-20 forward player was born on 10th September 2003 in Kunkujang Keitaya.
The 19-year old now plays his professional football for SK Slavia Prague in Czech Republic after leaving Estonian side Paide.
Singhateh, who played in three of the five matches of the Afcon before the final tomorrow, played a key role in the Young Scorpions route to the final.
The former Real de Banjul player assisted the only goal during Nigeria's game in the semifinal to Adama Bojang in the 8th minute.
Kajally Drammeh (No. 10), The Gambia U-20 right winger was born on 10th of October 2003 in Bundung.
The 19-year old plays his professional football for Cape Town City FC in South Africa.
The former Real de Banjul player, who played in four of the Gambia’s five matches in the tournament has showed some great mesmerizing skills and moves causing problems to his opponents.
Kajally scored his only goal in the tournament so far against Zambia during their second game of the group stage.
The Cape Town City attacker also provided one assist for Adama Bojang against South Sudan in the quarterfinals.
Adama Bojang (No. 20), The Gambia U-20 prolific striker was born on 28th of May 2004 in Bakau.
The 18-year old center-forward plays his local football for Steve Biko in the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) 1st Division League.
Bojang, who is one of the key players for the Gambian side has caused havoc on opposition defence lines.
Bojang is the second highest goal scorer in the tournament with four goals so far. He is one goal behind Senegalese striker Pape Demba Diop who scored five goals so far.
The Steve Biko striker is one of the players to score a hat-trick in the Afcon tournament.
Due to his fantastic performances in the Afcon, Adama Bajang is rumoured to be followed by two English Premier League clubs, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest.
