Gambia Coach Yahya Manneh has described today’s TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers as fair, but was tough to caution that it could still be regarded as tough considering the teams the Baby Scorpions have been paired with.
The twice African champions are making a sensational return to the competition for the first time in 14 years and have been drawn in Group C alongside reigning champions Senegal, Somalia and Tunisia and Manneh’s charges will be hoping to get one of the 10 available spots for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking in a post-draw interview with the GFF Media, Manneh sang special praise for the leadership of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) for the unqualified support. “I will start with Alhamdullilahi Rab’il A’lameen for firstly seeing the Gambia U-17 participating in another level of continental football for Africa,” he said.
“I wish to thank the Executive Committee of the GFF and the staff for all the support and making us believe that there can be another opportunity, which will be a much greater challenge. It’s a fair but tough group, and I believe it will set a much bigger challenge for both the players and staff to be at our best in all the matches. The target for the team is a question that will be answered by the players as our role would be to guide them in achieving the goals set.”
Yahya, who is currently pursuing a CAF A Coaching Certificate in Liberia, thanked his technical and support staff before paying tribute to his players for the remarkable performance during the bronze medal match against Guinea Bissau and also seeking the prayers and support of every Gambian either home and abroad.
“Sincere words of appreciation to the players who put up that remarkable performance against Guinea Bissau to get us the bronze medal and singularly to Mbemba Jammeh for those decisive penalty saves. This will be another great moment for the players to their qualities at another level, which is in line with their development,” he added, before disclosing that the team will began preparations with the start of training on Monday 3rd March 2025.
