By: Alieu Ceesay
In a significant moment for Gambian football, the national home-based players battled to a hard-fought draw against Algeria in the first leg of the 2025 CHAN qualifiers held at the recently renovated Independence Stadium. This match marked a return to competitive play after a long suspension from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
From the outset, the Scorpions showcased their determination and skill, controlling possession for much of the match. However, despite their efforts, they struggled to penetrate Algeria’s organized defense. Both teams missed key opportunities to score, leading to a stalemate that set the stage for a tense return leg in Algeria on May 19.
During the post-match press conference, Gambian Chan team coach Alagie Sarr candidly discussed the various challenges that impacted his team’s performance.
“As I said in my last interview, we couldn’t have enough training because of the league. So, we couldn’t gather the players together. We have only two days with the players to try to work on tactics.”
Despite the limited preparation time, Sarr emphasized that his team approached the match with a winning mentality, bolstered by the support of the home crowd. However, the players’ first-half showing was below par compared to their more spirited performance in the second half. Sarr noted that the lack of full stadium capacity may have contributed to a sense of unease among the players, negatively affecting their confidence.
“If you look at the individual players, we are not performing. In the second half, at least we made some changes that helped us to attack the Algerians.
Sarr pointed out that despite representing their country, some players were unable to attend crucial training sessions, which highlighted the need for more cohesive effort from the Gambian side as they prepare for the upcoming away match against Algeria.
Meanwhile, the head coach of the Algerian team also shared insights concerning the match. He described the condition of the Gambian football pitch as subpar, which hampered his squad’s ability to execute their game plan effectively. “With the condition of the weather and the pitch, we know that we cannot play our football properly. So, we work hard practically,” he stated, maintaining an optimistic outlook despite the draw.
The Algerian coach acknowledged that securing a draw in Gambia was a positive outcome, especially considering the historical difficulty of winning on Gambian soil. “Not many teams win in Gambia. So, the most important thing is that we don’t concede the goal,” he asserted while recognizing the conditions as a factor in their performance.
He concluded with a determined message regarding the upcoming return leg, stating, “Every game is different. Of course, we will do everything to win this game at home. Because we want to qualify.
