By : Omar Jatta
The Gambia’s national football team coach, Sang Ndong has revealed his plans and the spade works currently ongoing behind the scene to set his team ready for the nail biting two legged AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Mauritania on the 25th and 29th March 2016.
In an exclusive interview with the country’s leading newspaper the Daily Observer Sport, Sang unveiled the level of preparations his team’s undergoing.
“I think we have come far because we started with 18 local-based players that are training three times a week at the FIFA Goal Project for the past two weeks. We are getting ready and we played our first test game against GPA last Wednesday which we won 3-2. We are now looking forward to playing our second test game,” he told the paper.
He’s also revealed that he is encouraged by the level of desire and hunger in the team, a large chunk of whom he said are from the CHAN team who played under Bonu Johnson in the Rwanda 2016 qualifiers but failed in their bid to make it to the biennial international football championship organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the men’s African national teams, exclusively involving players from their respective national leagues.
“I think everybody is hungry and they are all eager to show what they can do and that is the most encouraging thing in this local team, said Sang.
“Most of them were playing in the CHAN team and are doing well with their teams in the league.”
The former Hawks Coach said he is also expecting some players playing in Europe and Senegal to join the squad.
“Maybe by the end of this week or next week, we will come out with a list of players that we have identified. After my unveiling, I did send letters to all the players that I have found their email addresses in the office, introducing myself and showing them what I am up to. Over 90% replied positively assuring me of their support,” said Sang.
The Gambia currently sits third in Group M with one point together with South Africa who have conceded more goals. Cameroon are the current leaders with 6 points whilst Gambia’s opponents, Mauritania are in second with three points. Both teams are vying for a place in the African Cup of Nations in Gabon, 2017, however, according to the CAF regulations, the group winners and the two best second placed teams via play off will join the hosts for the finals.
Sang Ndong is currently being assisted by U-17 Coach Matarr Mboge alongside the coach of the current domestic league leaders Alhagie Sarr of GPA and Alhagie Marong, as goalkeeper trainer.
The Scorpion coach conclude by calling for the support of the general public in rebranding and changing the face of Gambian football.
