By Foday Manneh
Over fifteen Gambian players played in the European club football qualifiers for the upcoming season this week, with many qualifying for the final playoff rounds of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
Baboucarr Gaye started for FK Shkendija in their 2-1 win over Romanian champions FCSB, securing a 3-1 win on aggregate. Babou and his team will now face Qarabag in the final playoff round of the UEFA Champions League.
Haruna Rashid Njie started for Futbola Klubes RFS in their 1-0 defeat to Malmö FF in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Haruna and his team will have one last chance in Europe when they face KuPs in the Europa League playoffs.
Abdoulie Jallow and his team, Servette FC, will meet the winner of the match between FC Sheriff and Utrecht FC in the Europa League playoffs, after being eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers with a 3-2 defeat against Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday.
Sheriff Sinyan scored a 96th-minute header in extra time, leading CFR Cluj to a 1-0 win over Lugano FC and helping the team advance to the final round of the UEFA Europa League qualifiers. Muhammed Badamosi finished the game on the bench for Romanian club.
Nfansu Njie started and played 75 minutes as ETO Gyor beat Pyunik 3-1, advancing with a 4-3 aggregate to the final round of the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.
Dinamo City reached the final round of the UEFA Europa League qualifiers after a 1-1 draw against AC Escaldes in the second leg on Thursday. It was a bittersweet day for Karamba Gassama, who was sent off in the match.
Abubakr Barry helped his side Austria Wien reach the final playoffs of the UEFA Europa Conference League, as they defeated FC Spaeri 5-0, advancing with a 7-0 aggregate. They will now face Banik Ostrava in the playoffs.
Abdoulie Sanyang was not used in the match as Hajduk Split reached the UECL playoff round following a 2-1 win over Zirë on Thursday, advancing with a 3-2 aggregate score.
Ebrima Jarju, Muhammed Suso, Abdourahman Badamosi, Pa Assan Corr, and Pa Abou Cham’s Paide Linnameeskond, along with Mustapha Jah from Florianna FC and Lamin Colley from Puskas Akademia, who was sent off on Thursday, have all been eliminated from the UEFA Europa Conference League.
