The newly appointed gaffer of the Gambia national team, Johnathan McKinstry has announced his maiden Scorpions squad ahead of double World Cup qualifiers against Seychelles and Gabon on June 8 and 11, respectively.
The Irish International with a recognised background in youth development has named a youthful squad, including a debut call for four previous Gambia U20 players with a mixture of some good experienced performers.
Sainey Sanyang of CSKA Sofia, Dembo Saidykhan of Whitecaps II, Edrisa Ceesay of ASC Jaraaf, and Adama Bojang of Stade Reims all of whom were previously representing the country at the U20 level have earned their maiden call-up to the national team.
This surprising, but significant move towards building a competitive team around youth players has been also inspired by the considerable number of injuries currently faced by some common names in the team.
Among the notable absentees due to injuries or personal reasons are; Ibou Touray, Jacob Mendy, James Gomez, Noah Sonko, Ebrima Darboe, Hamza Barry, Ali Sowe, and Assan Ceesay.
Meanwhile, five players have received their debut call-ups as Sheikh Sibi and Ebrima Jarju both goalkeepers, Mahmudu Bajo, and Ebrima Juwara make their return to the team after missing out on the previous outings.
GOALKEEPERS
Ebrima Jarju — Paide
Sheikh Sibi — Virtus Verona
Modou Lamin Sarr — Lunds BK
DEFENDERS
Omar Colley — Besiktas
Sainey Sanyang — CSKA Sofia
Omar Gaye — Chieti FC
Muhammed Sanneh — Banik Ostrava
Edrisa Ceesay — ASC Jaraaf
Dembo Saidykhan — Whitecaps 2
Dadi Dodou Gaye — Strømsgodset
MIDFIELDERS
Ebou Adams — Derby County
Yusupha Bobb — KAC
Alasana Manneh — Odense BK
Mahmudu Bajo — Zeleziarne Podbrezova
FORWARDS
Musa Barrow — Al-Taawoun FC
Muhammed Badamosi — Al-Hazem
Ablie Jallow — FC Metz
Ebrima Colley — Young Boys
Yankuba Minteh — Feyenoord
Musa Juwara — Vejle BK
Alieu Fadera — Genk
Abdoulie Sanyang — Grenoble Foot
Adama Sidibeh — St. Johnstone FC
Adama Bojang — Reims
Coach Johnny reiterated his and his backroom staff’s commitment to not compromising performance in the selection of the national team players in the future and that no player has a permanent place in the squad regardless of age and level.
