By Lamin Drammeh
MOROCCO 2-1 GAMBIA:
The scorpions of the Gambia got off to an unconvincing start to their preparations for the Afcon qualifier with a 2-1 defeat to Morocco in Rabat Thursday, March 23, 2017.
The action packed game played at the Kinetra Municipal Stadium in Rabat, saw the African referee produce two penalties, one for each side as the scorpions delivered yet another embarrassing results under infamous coach Sang Ndong.
The former scorpions goalkeeper is widely criticized for his poor tactical approach to the games since his appointment to take charge of the team last year.
His leadership as the scorpions head coach is said to have been a huge failure at every level, although he was somehow successful during his playing days, forming a fundamental part of the Gambian team.
Sang, led the stingless scorpions into the friendly game with two of the country’s most dangerous footballers in the persons of Babucarr Trawally, and Modou Barrow of Swansea city in the English Premier League, now on loan at the Championship side Leeds United. But the duo’s presence could not make or deliver the much needed change to the seemingly inexperienced squad.
Although the team was able to cause series of goal scoring threats in addition to Mustapha Carayol’s solo strike from a spot kick. The goal is Carayol’s second international strike but it only prove to be a consolation as the less motivated scorpions struggle to stamp their authority into the game they could have won spectacularly.
The North African team (Morocco), who fielded only the local based players (CHAN), were back on the score sheet once again thanks to a well taken penalty by Hafidi Abdelillah, putting his team back into the lead and wrapping up what appeared to be a hard fought 2-1 victory for the Morrocans, much to the disadvantage of the helpless Gambia team that was missing the services of some key players such as defenders Omar Colley and Abdou Jammeh, as well as goal machine Ousman Jallow.
The Gambia begins the caf orange African nations cup qualifiers at home to Benin in Port Novo in June, 2017. The Benin encounter will form part of their preparatory programs as they continue their search for the African Nations cup debut.
Cameroon is chosen as the host nation for the tournament that will feature some of the continent’s most decorated footballers.
