The scorpions are set to revive their World Cup qualifying hopes in Group F following two defeats in november against Burundi and African champions Cote d’Ivoire respectively which left them in fifth place just above the Seychelles.
The pirates have conceded 14 goals after 180 matches, making them a good prey for Musa Barrow and others. Despite injury setbacks for the scorpions, including the country’s leading goalscorer Assan Ceesay the Gambia foreign-based players are coming with good statistics following the completion of the 2023–2024 season. Adama Sidibeh, Omar Colley, and Musa Juwara all had incredible goalscoring form late on.
Jonathan McKinstry will begin his era with a tie against the Seychelles. The Gambia is winless in their last five matches and has failed to keep a clean sheet in any of those games.
With the bookmakers tipping a huge win, the scorpiopn will be wary of Thursday’s results, with Guinea beating Algeria, Congo holding Senegal to a 1-1 draw, and Sudan beating Mauritania 2-0.
Ebrima Colley’s late arrival and that of Ablie Jallow mean that both Yankuba Minteh and Abdoulie Sanyang are likely to be given the nod in the starting XI. Reports have it that Alieu Fadera of K.R.C. Genk suffered a knock on Thursday.
There will be changes in the defence line as Sarr, Jarju, and Sibi battle for the number one spot, with captain Omar Colley also looking for a new centre back partner.
The Gambia have recorded five wins, one draw, and one defeat in Morocco before the Seychelles meeting on Saturday. The Gambia has to play their matches away from home due to the CAF suspension of the Bakau independence stadium.
While Tyrone Cadeau, 19, will be the only debutant for Seychelles, Edrissa Ceesay, Adama Bojang, Adama Sidibeh, and Ebrima Jarju are all potentials to be handed their debuts in Stade Municipal de Berkane.
Gambia possible starting lineup:
Jarju; Sanneh, Ceesay, Colley, Gaye; Adams, Bobb; Sanyang, Barrow, Minteh; Badammosi
Gambia is going head to head with Seychelles starting on 8 Jun 2024 at 16:00 UTC at Stade Municipal de Berkane stadium, Berkane city, Morocco. The match is a part of the FIFA World Cup, Qualification CAF, Group F.
