Scorpions Coach Sang Ndong says the rebuilding process for the Gambia national team is still on and that the signs are very positive. ‘ The signs are very good and we are almost getting there. As a whole, everything went partially well. We went to Ghana for practice match and we have managed well but it’s not a matter of excuses’.
He said the lads have taken up all their initiatives but luck was again not on their side. Reacting on the impact of the training camp in Ghana to the Sunday match, Sang said the ‘ bonding process was good. The chemistry works very well but the age does not matter because its mixed’.
He credited goal keeper Modou Jobe for been the stand out player. ‘ I think Modou has been regular since we started. With his experience, he is been utilizing it very well. But this is also one of his best periods in his career and i must say i wished he plays for bigger clubs outside and be lucky’.
Team captain Omar Colley said the circumstances playing away is never easy. ‘ We played really well and we were even better than them. I think Toldo was the hero. Overall, we did well but its still not enough and we will continue to brace up and do our best for the country’. He said there wasnt any pressure on the match day because ‘ we spoke to each other and yes the referee was not on our side but we fought on and things changed in the second half because the fans were behind them’. Meanwhile, the lads have started departing Cotonou to their various destinations. Mustapaha Carayol, Pa Modou Jagne, Alasana Manneh, Dawda Ngum and Simon Richter have all flown out on Sunday night while a few others are also expected to depart on Monday morning. The final batch of the team will leave on Tuesday bound for Banjul.
Gambia lost one nil to Benin in their opening AfCON 2019 Qualifier after the Scorpions put up a spirited fight against the Squirrels in Cotonou. The hosts broke the jinx 54th minute after captain Stephen Sessegnon put up a deflected shot that swayed goal keeper Modou Jobe at opposite end.
