January 29th, 2022, the scoreboard at Japoma Stadium read: Gambia 0 Cameroon 2. Two second-half goals from Karl Toko Ekambi ended a fairytale journey for the Scorpions. A debut Nations Cup appearance that brought so much joy to the more than two-million Gambians at home and in the diaspora ended in defeat to host Nation, Cameroon.
The Scorpions left Cameroon brimming with confidence going into the next round of qualifiers, knowing fully-well that an expectant nation wouldn’t settle for anything other than another crack at a second Afcon tournament. This set of players though tend to do things on their own terms. Remember the dramatic win over fellow West African side Guinea. The odd-uninspiring yet result-driven games masterminded by the Coach, Tom Saintfiet. The Belgian and his team continue to defy logic in providing the right formula in building a winning team.
Next up for the Gambia Scorpions is to find out who they will face in the draw for the 2023 Afcon in Ivory Coast. But, should the Scorpions fear any country? GRTS looks at five (5) key issues for facing the Scorpions ahead of the draw and the tournament.
1. Media Campaign: With Gambia among the twenty-four countries vying for the AFCON 2023 trophy in Ivory Coast, the main focus off-field is how to raise significant funds for the National Team. If we learnt anything from the Cameroon expedition, it has to be the strategic media engagement by the members of the Fund-raising committee. They employed aggressive methods in reaching out to the public and the awareness-raising campaign was successful. The public media played an important role in this endeavor. More of the same for the coming campaign!!!
2. Fundraising: How do we raise funds for the national team? Is there an allocated budget for the Gambia’s participation in the AFCON 2023 tournament? How about a rerun of the Road to Afcon Fundraising Dinner, which was a huge success? In the coming weeks and months, a lot will be riding on the next move by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Gambia Football Federation. The Gambia do not have a bottomless pit full of money yet, smart decisions and proper coordination helped deliver some needed cash for the National Team in the last Nations Cup participation. No last-minute scrambles to set-up a Fundraising team!!!
3. The Squad: Coach Tom Saintfiet is spoilt for choices when it comes to the number of players carrying Gambian passports or those of Gambian roots. The Gambia is blessed with talented players. We have always had talented players, but, the Gambia of 2023 has so many players playing in top leagues across Europe and now in the cash-rich Saudi Pro League. Coach Saintfiet, despite this luxury, remains consistent in moulding a core group of talented players who are providing him the right results from day one. More players will be invited to the squad, but Coach Saintfiet’s battle-hardened core group will be crucial to our chances of progressing from our group. The Players will deliver!!!!
4. Key Players: Assessing who a key player is in Tom Saintfeit’s team could pose a challenge to even the most accomplished football expert. But there is a Messi in Argentina. A Ronaldo in a Portugal side. And how about Tom Saintfiet’s side? This Gambia side is built on the power of the collective. The Belgian’s tactics make it easy for the team to thrive. Not a bad idea, considering, the team continues to defy logic in navigating numerous hazardous situations in qualifiers and during tournaments. The Squad though has some match winners and they are coming good at the right time ahead of the tournament. Right across the spine of the team, we have some of our most important players: Safe hands: Baboucarr Gaye, remains number one. In defence, young James Gomez is a towering presence alongside Captain Omar Colley. In midfield, Hamza Barry provides the creative spark for the team, and in attack, Coach Sainfiet has an array of talent to choose from: Ablie Jallow, Assan Ceesay, Musa Barrow, and Muhammed Badamosi all providing the coach with different options. But, the future of Gambian football rests on the young shoulders of the mercurial talents of Yankuba Minteh. He is the rising star of Gambian football!!!
5. The Draw: Who do we fancy in the draw? The Gambia will enter this draw on the back of a truly dramatic end to the qualifying campaign in Group G with two late goals to secure a place in the Afcon 2023 tournament. It confirms Gambia's second straight appearance at a Nations Cup tournament following the Scorpions' impressive showing in Cameroon in 2022. The Scorpions will be joining some stellar names for the draw including defending Champions and neighbours, Senegal. The Teranga Lions will be gunning for a second straight championship victory but they will be facing a stiff challenge from the likes of Nigeria, host nation, Ivory Coast, alongside the North African contingent of Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt. The Gambia Scorpions though are going into the tournament in buoyant mood!!!
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In a match that showcased their undeniable spirit and tenacity, The Gambia's Scorpions faced off against the formidable AFCON champions, Ivory Coast.Despite their spirited performance, they fell short, succumbing to a solitary goal from Sébastien Haller, which ultimately secured a narrow 1-0 victory for the hosts - Ivory Coast in round six of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Playing in front of the home crowd at the 33,000 seater Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, the host who are clearly the favourites in the group, took command in the early stages and made their dominance counted after just 15 minutes when they capitalised on a lacklustre defending by the Gambia as Haller nodded home the breakthrough. From the break, the Scorpions nearly turned the game on its head, as they took the game to the Ivorians and forced the home side's goalkeeper, Yahia Fofana, into making some remarkable saves.Yankuba Minteh, the Gambian international who plays for Brighton and Hove Albion in the English Premier League. He is one of the Gambia's most formidable attackers at the moment. (Picture - GFF)The Scorpions were close enough to snatch a point or even grab all three points as Alieu Fadera, Mahmudu Bajo, and Alasana Jatta were all culprits as they squandered gilt-edge chances. This loss dealt a significant blow to The Gambia's chances of a first world cup appearance, leaving their hopes of qualification hanging by a thread. Group winners in each of the nine groups will qualify for the World Cup automatically, while the four best second-place teams will battle for a slot in the play-off to determine who advance to the inter confederation play-offs. The Scorpions, who are on four points after six matches, still have four more games to play - against Kenya and Burundi in the September windows and Gabon and Seychelles in the October international break. To stand even the slightest of chances, the Scorpions must win all the remaining four games. Should the Scorpions qualify, that will be the equivalent of winning the World Cup. The talismanic Musa Barrow, who plays for Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League, he was on the back of a brace heading into this game, as he scored twice against Kenya in round five. (Picture - GFF)But the focus is not largely on qualifying as the Northern Irish - Jonathan McKinstry continues his team-building process ahead of the next AFCON and World Cup Qualifiers. Nobody will hold anyone at gunpoint for this defeat, but the team must improve on a few things, especially scoring goals when it matters the most and improving on their defending.While the result may appear disheartening at first glance, the Scorpions' display in the second half was infused with determination and promise. Their improved performance serves as a glimmer of hope, indicating that brighter days could lie ahead, especially with a burgeoning wave of Gambian talent, making strides in professional football.
The Scorpions of The Gambia completed their final training session in Abidjan in preparation for their upcoming match against Kenya in the fifth round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. This important fixture is scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast on Thursday, 20th March 2025, at 7:00 PM.Currently positioned second from the bottom in Group F, the Scorpions have achieved one victory in their four matches, alongside three losses. Head Coach Johnathan McKinstry and his team are focused on reversing their fortunes to enhance their prospects for qualification.
In a remarkable display of talent during February, Yankuba Minteh, the Gambian international, has captivated fans and critics alike with his dynamic performances for Brighton. Scoring two stunning goals and contributing a crucial assist, Minteh’s creativity on the pitch has propelled his team to new heights, earning him a well-deserved nomination for the Premier League Player of the Month.The youngster scored twice against Chelsea in Brighton's 3-0 win before providing an assist for Rutter in Brighton's 4-0 win over Southampton. He wrapped up his February with an impressive performance in Brighton's 2-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth.Minteh will be contesting this award with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, Beto of Everton, Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace, Djed Spence of Tottenham Hotspur and Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool.This recognition is monumental for the young star, signalling his potential to become a significant force in the Premier League landscape. Minteh’s blend of skill, speed, and determination is a thrilling prospect for the future. This is remarkable for the 20-year-old youngster in what already looks like the beginning of an illustrious career for the Seagulls threatening attacker.
The Gambia's Women's National Team, popularly known as the Queen Scorpions, has successfully secured their place in the next stage of the 2026 Morocco Women's Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier. In a thrilling return leg match against Niger, held in Dakar, Senegal, the team clinched a hard-fought 2-1 victory. This triumph contributed to an impressive aggregate score of 4-1 over the two-legged tie, showcasing their dominance throughout the series.The standout performances of players Mbassy Darboe and Fatou Kanteh were pivotal to the team's success. Darboe's skilful play and strategic positioning led to her scoring a crucial goal that shifted the momentum in favour of The Gambia.Meanwhile, Kanteh showcased her striking prowess, netting an impressive goal that not only sealed the win but also highlighted her offensive capabilities throughout the match.Under the astute guidance of Coach Mariam Sowe, the team displayed remarkable resilience, tactical discipline, and a strong sense of camaraderie. Their unwavering determination and teamwork transformed their ambitions into reality, setting the stage for the next phase of their qualification campaign. The Queen Scorpions are now poised to continue their journey in pursuit of a coveted spot in the continental tournament, fueled by their recent successes and the growing support of their fans.
Musa Barrow, the dynamic forward for Al-Taawoun F.C., is steadily making his mark as one of the standout talents in the Saudi Pro League. With an impressive tally of 11 goals and seven assists across all competitions, Barrow's contributions have been pivotal for his team.In a recent match against Al-Ahli, Barrow showcased his exceptional skill with a stunning goal from almost 30 yards out, despite his team's eventual 4-2 defeat. This breathtaking strike underlined his ability to change the course of a game with just one moment of brilliance.Currently, Barrow and Al-Taawoun F.C. find themselves positioned 9th in the Saudi Pro League standings, accumulating 18 points from 13 matches. As he continues to grow in confidence and form, fans eagerly anticipate what this talented player will bring to the pitch next.
Yankuba Minteh is expected to play a pivotal part in the Gambia's attempt for a 3rd consecutive AFCON qualification. Minteh, who has been nursing an injury, is included in coach Jonathan Mckinstry's squad to face Comoros and Tunisia in the decisive final two games of the AFCON qualifiersThe wing wizard has sat out Brighton's last five games, including the famous 2-1 win over champions Manchester City at the Amex stadium. His absence from Fabian Hurzeler's squad has raised worrying concerns in the Gambia ahead of the decisive qualifiers, but GRTS Sports has been reliably informed that Minteh has been training for the last two weeks and trained 100% last week.Brighton and Hove Albion have released the player to join the Scorpions despite the Seagulls preferring him to stay.The 20-year-old who has become an integral member since breaking into the national team is determined to help the Scorpions secure their place in Morroco 2025 and has opted to join the national team in Morocco.Yankuba is key and a potential difference maker for the Scorpions as Brighton's summer signing has netted 4 goals in 10 appearances for The Gambia, making the presence of a fit Yankuba Minteh very vital in the crucial and decisive upcoming qualifying games on the 15th and 18th November 2024.
As the final round of qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) approaches, the players face a pivotal moment that could determine the fate of Gambia's national team.Coach Johnathan McKinstry has announced a carefully selected squad that is poised for action, starting with a crucial match against Comoros on November 15, 2024, set to take place in Morocco.Following this encounter, the team will head to Tunisia for their decisive qualifier on 18 November 2024.The stakes are high for the Scorpions of The Gambia; a victory over Comoros, paired with a draw against Tunisia, could secure their place in the prestigious AFCON tournament for the third consecutive time. With the weight of national pride on their shoulders, the players are eager to demonstrate their skill and determination on the field.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has determined that the Gambia is currently unable to host the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers following a recent assessment of the renovation works funded by the Gambia government. The inspection identified that the stadium requires further enhancements to the playing surface before it can be approved for any CAF or FIFA matches.While acknowledging the successful renovations overall, CAF noted that the condition of the pitch necessitates improvements to qualify for Category 3 matches. CAF expressed appreciation for the significant advancements made at the facility, commending the Government of The Gambia, the Gambia Football Federation (GFF), and the stadium management. Key areas of improvement included the dressing rooms, spectator stands, media zones, hospitality services, and essential structural elements. These enhancements represent a constructive step towards compliance with CAF and FIFA standards.Moreover, CAF has offered to assist the Gambia by providing a pitch specialist consultant to facilitate the necessary preparations, ensuring that the playing surface meets all requirements for future senior international matches.The Ministry extends its apologies to the public, who have been eagerly anticipating the return of the Scorpions to their home grounds. In light of this feedback, the Ministry will accept CAF’s proposal to engage a pitch specialist consultant to aid in the essential improvements.
After sending video and picture evidence of the completion of the remodelling and renovation of the Independence Stadium works to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), temporal approval has been given by CAF for The Gambia to host home matches.However, CAF will send inspectors for physical confirmation to ascertain if the pictures sent match with CAF's requirements.A senior official at the Ministry of Youth and Sports has told GRTS that, 'we've received confirmation that temporal approval has been given for the usage of the stadium for CAF matches.''But inspectors will have to come for physical confirmation, possibly before November. We are hopeful that final approval will be given because the evidence sent to them is what is on the ground.''So there is a 100% chance that we will play our game against Comoros at home' he said.After CAF banned the Gambia from hosting home matches due to a substandard stadium, the government of the Gambia under the leadership of H.E Adama Barrow has spent over 280 million dalasi to renovate the Independence Stadium to the required CAF standards.
The Gambia National Team coach Johnathan McKinstry has unveiled a 24-man squad ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.In what will be their quest for a third AFCON appearance, The Gambia will first take on Comoros on September 4th, before playing against Tunisia on September 8th. All the two matches will take place in Morocco as both the national stadiums of both The Gambia and Comoros are banned by CAF for failing to meet the required standards.
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