Gambia Young Scorpions Head Coach Mattar M’boge has reacted to the WAFU U-20 Draw as “fair and balance” after his side has been drawn in Group B of the WAFU Zone A U-20 tournament with Mali, Liberia and Guinea Bissau. The tournament which will take place in Conakry as the second edition will feature eight countries within the WAFU Zone A which the Gambia holds as title holders at its maiden edition held in Liberia 2018.
Speaking to the GFF Communications platform shortly after the team’s training session on Thursday morning, M’boge first posited that the Draw held in Conakry at mid week was a very good one. “The draw is fair and comfortable”. He said the opponents in Gambia’s Group B are “familiar” having won Mali and Liberia in the Semi Finals and Final of the first edition in 2018 as current title holders. “It’s a balanced and fair draw but we are not complacent because we know the expectations are high and they’re coming after us for revenge. But the message to our boys is very clear, to defend our trophy at all cost”.
Commenting on the weather conditions in Conakry, the former Scorpions Assistant Coach highlighted that they are aware of the prevailing weather conditions in Conakry and have established a training schedule to meet up with the weather and playing time. “The weather factor won’t be a problem for us. That is why we have a tight training schedule to make things realistic and stimulate the conditions that players can expect and adapt”.
Asked when to unveil his final squad, the U-20 gaffer noted that the Technical team is only waiting to hear from the organizers for the deadline. “We still have a couple of test games and I am glad that the boys are taking our instructions. We need to press them harder sometimes because that is what we will expect in the tournament. It’s good that we avoided the host in the draw but hoping to meet them in the final and win”.
The team is expected to face off Senegalese League One side Cassa Sport in an international friendly before wrapping up local training ahead of the tournament commencement.
The Gambia tops Group B of the WAFU Zone A Tournament with Mali, Guinea Bissau Liberia. The Young Scorpions will open their account to Mali on November 25th, before squaring off to Liberia for their second and penultimate Match day on the 27th November in Conakry, both games to be played at 3:30 pm local time. The Gambia will play its final Group game to Bissau on December 1st at 4pm.
