#Sports

Scorpions return home after shock AFCON exit

Jan 26, 2024, 12:22 PM | Article By: Lamin Darboe

The Gambia senior national team returned home from Ivory Coast on Wednesday 24 January 2024 following their shock exit from the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.

The Scorpions finished bottom-place in Group C of the continent’s bi-annual biggest football showpiece without a point after losing all their group matches.

 The Gambia lost to Senegal 3-0 in their opening group match played on Monday 15 January 2024 before slipping to Guinea Conakry 1-0 in their second group match played on Friday 19 January 2024.

The Scorpions slipped to Cameroon 3-2 in their third and final group match played on Tuesday 23 January 2024 to finish bottom-place in Group C of the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations without a point.

 Meanwhile, Coach Tom Saintfiet has resigned as the head coach of The Gambia senior national team after the country’s shock elimination from the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.

Coach Saintfiet qualified The Gambia to the continent’s bi-annual biggest football fiesta twice in 2021 and 2023.

The Gambia reached the quarterfinals of the 2021 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in their debut appearance but slipped to Cameroon 2-0 in their last eight clash.

The Scorpions will now switch their attention to their 2026 World Cup qualifier clashes against Seychelles and Gabon in June 2024 after their exit from the continent’s bi-annual biggest football showpiece.

The Gambia need to sign a new head coach before their global biggest football jamboree qualifier matches against Seychelles and Gabon following the resignation of coach Tom Saintfiet after the country’s elimination from the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.