The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) in a press release issued yesterday, Tuesday said the footballer left the Scorpions camp and returned to his club Ajman Sports.
Trawally was one of the 28 players that made Head Coach Tom Saintfiet’s final squad for the Scorpions maiden appearance at the African Cup of Nations currently underway in Cameroon.
He was included in both match day squads as The Gambia began its campaign with a win and a draw against Mauritania and Mali respectively.
The forward claimed an ankle injury and did not train on Monday, according to GFF, who confirmed that Steve returned to his club on Tuesday morning for urgent treatment.
“The Gambia National Team including the Head Coach and his technical staff as well as the GFF would like to thank him for his services to the National Team and wish him a speedy recovery,” said GFF.
Baboucarr ‘Steve’ Trawally wrote on his official Facebook page that: “It’s with deep sadness I announce my withdrawal from national team duties with the Scorpions and from our AFCON camp in Cameroon.”
“I joined the team with an injury that was 50/50 with the hope I’ll recover in time to help my country, The Gambia, but unfortunately, I haven’t gotten the best of treatments which warranted my Club, Ajman, to request from The Gambia Football Federation and national team officials to send me back so I could get proper treatment and to better prepare myself for future national team duties.”
“Of course it’s been always my dream to don the Scorpions jersey at a big tournament like the AFCON and this was supposed to be it but sadly, man proposes and God disposes.”
“I’ll be away from the team physically but spiritually I’m with them as have been since day one.”
“I hope we can all focus on the team’s success and enjoy every moment there is.
I wish to seize this opportunity to ask every Gambian to rally behind my compatriots, give our full support and I pray that we’ll go up to the final.
For The Gambia, our Homeland….”
