Reporting by Baboucarr Camara & Amadou O. Bah
The Young Scorpions were yesterday handed their bronze medals, bringing down the curtain on the activities of the Total Africa U-20 Cup of Nations that came to an end in Mauritania on Saturday.
Matarr M’Boge and team finished third on Friday at the first-ever 12-team tournament with a 4-2 post-match penalty shootout defeat of Tunisia following a goalless stalemate in regulation time. Ghana won the tournament with a 2-0 defeat of Uganda in the finals.
Just as in the WAFU championship in Senegal, the Gambians got off to a slow start with a controversial 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the opening match. The game’s only goal came from a nonexistent penalty and even after goalkeeper Lamin Saidy saved the initial shot, the Sudanese man in the middle called for a retake because of an alleged infringement, which was converted by a different player.
In the second match against debutants Tanzania, the Young Scorpions took a sixth-minute half lead through Momodou Bojang and when everyone thought that the team would secure its first victory in the tournament, the opponents scored to ensure a share of the spoils with just two minutes remaining. Starring a group stage elimination in the face, a similar fate suffered by the last Gambian team to participate in this competition in South Africa 2011, the Young Scorpions knew anything less than all three points against Africa’s only world champions in this category would lead to an unscheduled flight back to Banjul, via Casablanca of course.
“We’re obviously not happy with getting only a point because we wanted to get all three today. There were moments we could have finished the game but that’s football and I’m glad with the performance of the boys,” Matarr M’Boge said. “The focus is on Ghana now. There’s still 90 minutes left and I think what we saw before the tournament started that this is the group of death. I think that we’re seeing it now. So, we’re looking forward to this last game against Ghana as it’s our last opportunity to get the three points and get a chance to qualify.”
He later rallied his team to secure victory against the Ghanaians. When few believed in their chances, M’Boge and charges weren’t deterred and believed in a memorable win. But their task was made even harder when the Black Satellites took a 6th minute lead, meaning they had to come from behind for a win, something they failed to do in the opening match. However, they refused to panic or even budge! From that moment, and against all the odds, a rejuvenated Young Scorpions dominated the tournament favorites and scored twice through Kajally Drammeh and Lamarana Jallow to complete the comeback and qualified to the quarterfinals as the second-place team.
“These boys, they just continue to make me proud each time. They deserve all the credit,” an elated M’Boge said afterwards. “We knew we had to win the match. There was no other option. We had to raise our game. We worked hard at the training ground and I’m happy that the boys got the message and implemented it. Playing against a top team like Ghana was never going to be easy and we all saw the performance.”
They picked up from where they left and dominated the Central Africa Republic in the last eight. Three unanswered goals were scored by Matarr M’Boge’s charges to book a place in the last four in what would be a repeat of the last group stage match against. Wally Fofana, Momodou Bojang and Alieu Barry were on target as the Central Africans were put to the sword by a clinical Young Gambians with one of the tournament’s best performances, and in the process becoming the only team to win their quarterfinal encounter in regulation time.
“These past days, we’ve been in difficult situations to be honest, mentally, but these boys, they continue to make me proud each time we are faced with challenges. They have a mental strength that keeps them focused on the positives of every situation,” a visibly joyful Matarr said.
“The GFF President has also supported us with a comfortable accommodation and so the boys agreed that they’ll have their own way to say thank you to him; so, this victory is for them [the leadership of the Federation] and every Gambian who’s felt the dark times we’re faced with as a country.”
Buoyed by that statement performance, full of scintillating display of skill and natural ability, Gambia knew they’d still had to dig deeper if they’re to defeat Ghana for the second time in the same competition. This time, the Young Scorpions were stuck in their tracks by the Black Satellites. The Gambians dominated for large parts and if not for their profligacy in front of goal, they would’ve secured a first ever place in the finals but the Ghanaians used experience to grind out a 1-0 win.
They regrouped against Tunisia in the third/fourth place playoffs and despite failing to score in regulation time, it was their best performance in the competition. Lamin Saidy proved the hero, saving two penalties to ensure his side equal their best ever finish at the competition.
Captain Tijan Marr also saved his best performance of the tournament to the day with a scintillating display of technical ability; a display even Barcelona and Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets would be proud of. He was voted man-of-the-match, his first in the tournament. Lamarana Jallow was twice voted best player of the match while Kajally was the winner on one occasion.
M’Boge was full of praises for his players for their relentless efforts, consistency and commitment throughout the journey culminating with the match. “I’m very proud of my boys. We have really struggled all the way here with difficulties and I’m sure not many would have predicted after losing to Morocco in the first game that Gambia will end up going to the semifinals and even winning the bronze medal,” he said.
The team has equaled the feat of the 2007 generation when the country made its debut in the tournament in Congo Brazzaville under the guidance of the late Peter Bonu Johnson. The handing over of the bronze medal was attended by the President of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) Mr. Lamin Kabba Bajo, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and the Mauritanian FA head. Hawks defender Lamin Jawara and Elite United’s skillful midfielder Lamarana Jallow were included in the team of the tournament.
“On behalf of The Gambia Football Federation and football lovers in The Gambia, we sincerely applaud your efforts in reaching here. Everyone at home is aware of the consistency and improvement that you’ve shown throughout the tournament and they’re all ready to once again welcome you back home in celebration,” Mr. Bajo said after the Tunisia win. “You have a bright career ahead of you and I’m sure very soon you’ll be playing at other clubs and we will be giving all the necessary support along your journey.”
The team is expected to fly to Casablanca, in Morocco, where they will transit to Banjul in a day to be announced later. And upon return home, the players can expect a high reward for their exploits at the competition, an assurance given by the Executive Director of the National Sports Council, Mr. Marcel Mendy.
Perhaps, the only blip on the Young Scorpions’ campaign is FIFA’s decision to cancel the 2021 World Cup due to Covid19, which they had already qualified to by virtue of finishing in the semifinal places. This means, the core of the players would be deprived of the opportunity to represent their country on the global stage, because by the time the next scheduled competition kicks off in Indonesia in 2023, most of them would’ve passed the age bracket and a fresh qualifier may be required to determine the finalists.
“This is the only opportunity for these players to play in an U-20 World Cup. We are honestly desperate to see these boys at that highest level whatever it takes. So, we really implore on FIFA and CAF leaderships to really find a solution because the four teams that have got here deserve it. There’s so much talent in them, they’ve played the best in Africa and now we want to play against the top in the world, it aids their development,” Matarr lamented.
That may be wishful thinking. However, what remains certain is that the team had long since prepared a transition plan. Yesterday, Tijan Marr handed over the captain armband to midfielder Kajally Drammeh. Tijan showed an exceptional performance and exhibited his responsibilities as a leader since taking over the barton from James Gomez.
With the mesmeric Drammeh to be assisted by Ba Lamin Sowe and Bakary Jawara, a smooth transition and bright future awaits a venomous Young Scorpion guided by the tactical mastermind and Midas touch of Coach Matarr M’Boge.
