By: Omar Jatta
The Gambia’s domestic league Champions, GAF (Gambia Armed Forces) are expected to arrive in the Zambian capital, Lusaka later today ahead of their double-legged CAF Champions League tie with Zanaco FC on Saturday 10th February, 2018.
The Security outfit have left Banjul on Wednesday via Dakar and Nairobi with a 30 man delegation including team officials and a representative from the Gambia Football Federation.
The team’s head coach, Ebou Jarra will hope the long distance travel will not hamper their preparations and hopefully they can pull off a result in Lusaka before hosting the Bankers at home on February 24th, at the Independence Stadium in Bakau
Although the Zambian national League is yet to start, the Gambian Armed Forces will face real task to see off the Lusaka based team. The team have been busy with their preparations ahead of the tie with test matches against teams from Mozambique and Zimbabwe, where they were camping in the past two week. And according to the team’s manager Mumamba Numba, the preparatory games have given his team a much needed practice and an opportunity to gauge how the team’s new recruits are adapting to their style and tactics, these includes Suliman Mousa from Cameroon and Bernard Oforie of Ghana and other recruits from DR Congo among eleven new arrivals to the team that had finished second in the Zambian Frist Tierlast term.
GAF who have struggled to replicate their title-winning form from last season only managed a 1-1 draw against Brikama United last weekend at the Serrekunda East mini stadium and have only managed two wins in their last six games in the GFF league, sandwiched by a series of draws, and if they are to secure a result in the Southern African country, they will have to be on top of their game.
The Khaki boys last and only other appearance in the competition was in 2010, where they were eliminated at this stage of the competition and they will hope they can avoid a repeat.
Full Squad:
Players:
Baka Ceesay , Bubacarr Ceesay, Saikou Omar Saho, Saikou Jatta, Julaba Sawaneh, Alieu Dumbuya, Bakary Gibba, Lamin M. Sanneh, Lasana Jarju, Edrissa Sonko, Baye Sonko, Matarr Ceesay, Samsideen Badjie, Rasidou Bah, Kebba Sambou, Emil Sambou, Adama Jammeh, Salifu Ceessay, Lamin Manneh, Saikouba Ceesay
Officials
Ebrima Jarra- head coach, Ebrima Jatta assistant coach, Adama Jatta G/K Coach, Sheriff Modou Samba-Trainer, Abdoulie Mbaye –Trainer, Patrick Mendy- Medical Officer, Mass Lowe- Kits Manager, General Alagie Martin head of delegation, Ebrima Cham Gibba- team Manager, Alagie Faye- GFF Representative
