GAMBIA U-17 IMPRESSES IN FIRST INTERNATIONAL GAME

The newly selected Gambia under-17 male football team most of whom are scouted during the just ended 2019 inter schools football championship humiliate Guinea Bissau in what was their first international test game.

Gambia U-17 Team

The baby scorpions recorded a convincing 4 – 1 win over the visiting Bissau U-17 at the Independence Stadium.

Adama Bojang nets a brace before Fakebba Jammeh and Abdoulie Baldeh rounded the victory for the host as the visitors only consolation came from Albino’s screamer.

It is a game from which the home supporters were going to pass a judgment on the new initiative taken by the football authorities of going back to the school going kids to represent the country at youth category.

And the high presence of dignitaries that includes the Gambia football federation executive, veteran footballers and national team players at the VIP section, has clearly justified what the new initiative means to the football authorities and stakeholders.

The young lads wearing the Gambian shirt for the first time never disappoint as they displayed a performance that doesn’t just earn them a victory but left everyone convince that if they are keep together the future could be bright.

With both nations working on the development of players through the youth ranks, nothing much has been expected from the players as they were allowed to play without pressure, which saw them display their potentials throughout the game.

A truly balance first half saw three goals been registered, with Gambia scoring twice.

It was the home side who first broke the deadlock on the 16th minutes when Bissau Guinean goalkeeper failed to deal with a cross and Adam Bojang simply touch home from close range.

The Bissau Guinean were equal to the task at that moment, as they responded six minute later when Albino Da Silva curled into the top roof from far range, it is a goal that matches the quality of football on view in the night.

However, the baby scorpions pegged back the visitors four minutes before the break, a wonderful build which was executed by Essa Sallah saw Adama Bojang volleyed home from Malick Bojang's cross to put the home side on the ascendancy at half time.

The second half was even more dramatic and entertaining as the host took full command of a half in which three penalties were awarded.

The visitors who all along the second period have been struggling for a foothold conceded a penalty on the 53rd minute when a centre back was penalized for handling, but Gambia's left back Fakebba Jammeh had his shot ricochet off the frame.

Another penalty followed midway through the second period when Bissau forward Albino Da Silva goes down from a challenge by Gambia's centre back Dembo Saidykhan but Albino as well crashed his shot off the crossbar.

And the baby scorpions were going to make the night difficult for the visitors as another magnificent build up saw them add a third.

Essa Sallah did exceptionally well before exchanging passes with Fakebba Jammeh who rolled a pass for Abdoulie Baldeh and run into the space to pay for his penalty miss as he rolls the ball between the leg of the goalkeepr to make it 3 – 1 . The build-up of the goal was greeted with a standing ovation by the home fans.

Soon after, the Gambia put the game beyond the visitors as they added a forth, Malick Bojang placed a lovely long ball to Abdoulie Baldeh who controls well before he was brought down in the box for another penalty.

Abdoulie Baldeh who was the top scorer in the 2019 inter senior schools football championship step up and left the goalkeeper rooted at his position to sealed a convincing 4 – 1 win for coach Abdoulie Bojang’s side.

“It is not a surprise to me, we had test games before, we played with the U-23 and contain them, within the first 30minutes we saw what we want. The way they boys perform today shows that something have started”, Abdoulie Bojang says.