The Gambia, one of the seven teams with just one AFCON appearance, made a remarkable debut in the 2021 edition, reaching the quarterfinals and leaving a lasting impact on African football enthusiasts.
The Scorpions showcased resilience and skill, finishing second in their group with an unbeaten record. Impressive wins against Mauritania and Tunisia, as well as a draw against Mali, set the stage for a historic round of 16 clash against Guinea, where Musa Barrow’s heroics secured a monumental win.
Despite a quarterfinal exit against Cameroon, Gambia’s performance garnered widespread recognition, and they now aim to build on that success in the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast. Poised to challenge their opponents once again, the Scorpions aspire to continue their remarkable rise in African football, and fans eagerly anticipate their impact on the continental stage.
2023 AFCON Matches:
- 15 January 2024: Senegal vs Gambia
- 19 January 2024: Guinea vs Gambia
- 23 January 2024: Gambia vs Cameroon
Key Players to Watch:
- Omar Colley (Captain): The linchpin in the Scorpions’ defence, Colley brings leadership and experience with 45 caps for Gambia. As the substantive captain, he played a crucial role in Gambia’s debut appearance in 2021.
- Assan Ceesay: The prolific striker, representing Damac in the Saudi Pro League, is the all-time top scorer for the Gambia national team. With six goals and one assist in the ongoing league, Ceesay aims to translate his success to the AFCON stage.
- Ablie Jallow: The dynamic forward emerged as a key figure in Gambia’s debut AFCON, contributing two crucial goals. Representing Metz in the French Ligue 1, Jallow remains a pivotal player, showcasing resilience and determination.
Coach Tom Saintfiet: The experienced Belgian tactician, marking his 11th national team assignment, led the Gambia to the quarterfinals in their debut AFCON appearance. Determined to build on this success, Coach Saintfiet aims for an even more remarkable feat in the upcoming tournament.
Team Statistics:
- Appearances: 1
- Best Results: Quarterfinals in 2021
- Most capped player: Omar Colley with 45 appearances
- Captain: Omar Colley
- Top scorer: Assan Ceesay with 13 goals in 36 appearances
The AFCON tournament will start on January 13, 2024 and conclude on February 11.
By Frank Appiah and Enoch Fiifi Forson