2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers Group A game
Oct 11, 2024 at 2pm GMT
Stade Larbi Zaouli
Referee Ali Sabira from Uganda
The scorpions will face the Bereas of Madagascar in Morocco on Friday, October 11 in a 2025 AFCON qualifiers Group G game.
The Islanders are winless in 12 Afcon qualifiers dating back to November 2019 and have just collected one point following their draw against the Comoros.
The Scorpions sit above the Bareas on goal difference as both teams lost to Tunisia 1-0 and 2-1 respectively.
The Friday match at the Stade Larbi Zaouli is crucial for Scorpion coach Jonathan McKnistry as his charges have failed to glitter in their last outings across all competitions. Their last win came against the Seychelles in Berkane.
McKinstry will be in charge of his sixth official match on Friday, and the Scorpions are expected to sting in order to stand any chance of making it to their third AFCON tournament.
Gambian players abroad, who constitutes the national team have gradually hit form over the past weeks.
As recent as last weekend, Yankuba Minteh scored his first goal of the season in the English Premier League; Barrow made it three goals in six matches in the ………., while goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju was voted as Man of the Match against Kalju in Estonia.
Abdoulie Ceesay market value continued to rise as he only failed to score three times in the last league matches he played. Alieu Fadera, on the other hand, is settling well in Serie A, having started Como’s recent four league matches.
Players performances have increased in all sections individually, but performances as a group are yet to kickstart. Most of the times, the defence are either exposed or the midfield being dominated.
Badamoesi, one of the heroes in the last AFCON edition qualifiers as he assisted Yankuba Minteh before scoring the crucial equaliser against Congo, is back in the fray after missing the scorpions first two qualifiers. Not with the best goal record, the former Fus Rabat player has been given the nod on some occasions, and it might be the case on Friday.
Sulieman Camara of La Liga 2 is the new face in the current setup, with both midfielders Mahudu Bajo and Saidou Khan in contention for their Scorpion debut. This will be the midfield duos second call-up.
Despite the return of Jakob Mendy of Wrexham who missed the entire AFCON in Ivory Coast, McKinstry is likely to maintain the same back four with changes likely to be between the sticks.
In a rare tactical change, Ablie Jallow, Gambia’s record AFCON goalscorer, started on the bench against Tunisia, which might not be the case against Madagascar. Ebrima Darboe has been given the nod when least expected, and Saidou Khan’s qualities will pose some dilemma when it comes to the midfield.
In all, it will be an interesting game full of actions. Gambia starts as favorite by Madagascar can also pose a threat. The onus lies on the Scorpion technical bench to devise an attacking striker and get early goals to unsettle their opponents.
The Gambian defense should also be resolute and defend gallantly throughout the game.
